<p>General questions first. What is the main difference between the two, besides the fact that CSS is by collegeboard who never let go of any opportunity to take my money? Do I really need to file the CSS?</p>
<p>Specific question. My friend is telling me Stanford requires both FAFSA and CSS. I can't find that info on the stanford website, but she said she's read it from the school's viewbook.</p>
<p>Stanford does reuire profile
Some schools require just fafsa some both look at the school sites</p>
<p>FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is required by almost all schools (there are a couple of schools that do not accept federal moneys). The vast majority of schools use FAFSA only. Schools that use FAFSA only will use it to award federal aid and their own institutional aid.</p>
<p>CSS - a few schools require CSS or their own financial forms in addition to FAFSA. Schools that use both FAFSA and CSS generally use FAFSA to award any federal aid and CSS to award their own institutional aid. These schools are generally those with large endowments from which they award a large amount of institutional aid.</p>
<p>If a school does not require CSS you should not (and i think actually can not) send it to them. If it does require CSS you have to complete it if you want that school to consider you for financial aid.</p>
<p>CSS asks for more financial information than FAFSA. For instance CSS asks about your primary home. FAFSA does not. CSS may ask about the non custodial parent and spouse (depending on the school), FAFSA asks only about the custodial parent and spouse.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Do I really need to file the CSS?
[/quote]
YES - If you are applying to a school that requires CSS and you want to be considered for aid then. </p>
<p>NO - If you are not applying to any schools that require CSS or if you are applying to schools that require CSS but you do not wish to be considered for aid.</p>
<p>Stanford does require CSS - it took @ 30 seconds for me to google Stanford, go to their financial aid page, and find this </p>
<p>Applying</a> for Aid : Stanford University</p>
<p>If you want to apply for aid at Stanford you will have to complete FAFSA *and *CSS profile</p>