I am very confused about the CSS profile

Paying for College
1

<p>I plan to apply early action to Fordham University. The Fordham CSS profile registration deadline is Oct 1, 2007, and the Profile Deadline is Nov 1, 2007. Do I have to send in the CSS profile if I am doing early action, or can I do it after I get accepted?</p>

<p>Also, when I look at collegeboard.com, it says that I should complete the 2008-2009 profile because "You should file this application if you are entering or returning to college in the fall of 2008 or the spring of 2009.", which I what I'm planning to do. But the thing is that I can only complete the 2007-2008 profile right now, which is for those who are "entering or returning to college in the fall of 2007 or the spring of 2008". If the CSS profile registration deadline for EA to Fordham is Oct 1, and the 2008-2009 profile is available ON Oct 01, then what in the world can I do right now?</p>

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<p>A school my son applied to early action last year required us to file the Profile form that was available online at that time, to give us a preliminary indication of what to expect. Then, we were expected to update the information when the new forms became available, after the early decision had been made. As it happened, the preliminary award was ZERO, and upon making a phone call to the f.a. office I determined that the final award would be no better, so I did not bother to update. I suggest you call Fordham and talk to someone in the f.a. office and ask them.</p>

3

<p>You have to register for the Profile by October 1, and complete it by November 1. Those are two different actions. The day it becomes available, on October 1, register. Then you have a month to complete it (do that sooner than later.)
Deadlines:
<a href="http://www.fordham.edu/Tuition__Financial_A/Undergraduate_Studen/Financial_Aid_Codes__22615.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.fordham.edu/Tuition__Financial_A/Undergraduate_Studen/Financial_Aid_Codes__22615.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Is this early date the priority date for finaid applications for those applying EA? If so, you must fill out the Profile for 2008-09 and you will be using your BEST estimates of income (from your parents' and your pay stubs) for the 2007 tax year. We had to do this as well. It's a bit of a pain, but if you don't get it done, you will not get an estimated finaid award when you get your EA acceptance (or shortly thereafter). Just FYI...you will have to hand amend your profile once your taxes are completed.</p>

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<p>I posed this exact question to the school my D is planning on applying ED to. Their FA deadlines for ED are November 15. Here is the response from the FA office:</p>

<p>"The CSS Profile for the 2008-09 academic year will be available October 1 at the College Board website - which will be in time for the early decision deadline date.</p>

<p>You should complete the CSS Profile, estimating your 2007 income information. The University Office of Financial Aid requires a copy of your 2007 completed/filed tax return by February 15, 2008 to finalize the offer of financial aid. We will update your CSS and FAFSA information once we receive your 2007 income tax return. If you have changes that you would like us to make you could send us a copy of the CSS Profile, with the changes indicated, directly to the Office of Financial Aid.</p>

<p>Students who have met the Early Decision 1 application deadline for financial aid should receive their offer of financial aid along with their offer of admission. The financial aid offer will be tentative until we receive copies of parent(s)/student 2007 tax return and the FAFSA for 2008-2009 is completed. The FAFSA cannot be completed until January 1, 2008 and must be completed by February 1, 2008."</p>

<p>Clear as mud?</p>

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<p>The information posted by Justamom is exactly the process DD did when she was applying as a freshman. But be alerted...your finaid award is ONLY tentative until they receive your 2007 tax info. DD's award was reduced by $6000 at one school...and didn't change a drop at the other EA school. It just goes to show you that institutional aid (using the Profile) can be computed and dispersed as the college sees fit.</p>

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<p>Thumper..if your actual 2007 tax info was the same as what was entered on the CSS profile in November, why was the award reduced?</p>

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<p>When we completed the Profile, we estimated everything based on the pay stubs, etc that we had as of October 1. I can tell you...this is NOT easy. Our actual tax numbers were higher but not by that much (we estimated high). Why was the reward reduced? Because schools using the Profile can apportion their institutional aid any way they choose to do so. I guess the school (remember only one school reduced the award) that reduced the award felt that the increase was substantial. BTW...the income increase was less than $5000, but the finaid was reduced (an institutional grant) by $6000. The finaid office at the school would not even TALK about the finaid award...not one word. To be honest, I thought they were quite rude (to my daughter who just wanted to inquire as to why the award was reduced). DD did not choose that school.</p>

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<p>My D is also applying EA to Fordham and I just spoke with the Admissions Office. I pointed out that CSS Profile registration just started yesterday, Oct 1st and that the website states the deadline for registering is Oct 1st. She agreed this was confusing and said to just go ahead and register now and then file by Nov 1 along with the EA application.</p>