<p>My S is admitted and, as an alumnus, I'm truly thrilled. I cannot think of a better place for him to attend. We did the FAFSA and now, unlike any other university that has admitted him, I learn there is EXTRA financial aid paperwork required. Specifically, CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). The very pleasant lady at UND FA says "the CSS allows us to look at things differently." Hmmmm, I'm wondering just how differently. I really want to know if anybody can confirm the value of going through all of that on-line paperwork. That is to say, did CSS give you a better result than FAFSA, specifically at UND? In case it isn't obvious, FAFSA says he's not going to get a dime of FA.</p>
<p>ND won’t design a financial aid package for you if you don’t fill out a CSS - they require it.</p>
<p>What happens if we say no, don’t bother? You save a few hours. What happens if you do, and you are offered some financial aid? You might save a few thousand dollars. You tell me if those hours are potentially worth 1000 bucks or so a piece.</p>
<p>The CSS Profile differs from the FAFSA in a number of ways. The latter doesn’t take your home into consideration, for example, whereas the former asks for the assessment amount and how much you owe on it, etc. In general, the CSS is nosier. There are institutional add-ons too. Some schools ask you about your cars (models, what you paid for them, etc.). This may seem excessive, but I certainly know of people who went out and bought expensive cars just before their kids were applying for aid, simply to reduce their assets, so there’s a reason for this. On the whole, I would think that the CSS would raise the amount you are expected to pay, unless there are extenuating circumstances that don’t show up on the FAFSA of course.</p>
<p>i had to do the CSS and i am at UMich and it actually increased the amount i received. it took into account that i have 9 bros/sisters, where my 2 sisters attended (OOS), the investments of my parents and how much value they have lost along with many other things.</p>
<p>i know it is tedious but it helps.</p>
<p>i would ditto kevdude…for a couple of hours that could mean a couple of thousand of dollars, i think that your time is worth it.</p>
<p>IDOC takes time to process the data submitted. If you have not done so already, you should submit it ASAP.</p>
<p>Took about 30 minutes Friday night to do CSS…similar to FAFSA then about 1.5 hours to get all the IDOC paperwork submitted…post office was open till 4:00 on Saturday so we got it out as soon as we could have acceptance. Had a great time making S do most of the copying and retrieving the info for CSS…good bonding session…LOL</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, for your responses. I’m going to go with the consensus here, bite the bullet, and submit CSS and IDOC. The funny thing is that yesterday’s mail brought a letter from FA awarding my S a small Stafford loan and work-study. Now I know what I’ll be doing tonight. Thanks again.</p>