<p>Hi everyone! I'm applying for financial aid at Princeton and am not sure what the CSS is actually used for (what specific purpose, apart from providing financial aid), as in, does it make you eligible for federal scholarships, or something like that?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your help!</p>
<p>The CSS does not provide financial aid. It allows the schools who require it to be filled out to have criteria by which they decide whether to grant you financial aid, what amount they will give, and in what form. In Princeton's case, you fill out the CSS and then Princeton's own FA application which will take much of the info you have put on the CSS automatically, I think. I do not think CSS has anything to do with Federal scholarships. It is a private organtization-- it is the College Board. For the Fed's, you need to do the FAFSA and other forms, probably.</p>
<p>Ah right, so I was way off :p</p>
<p>Thanks for that info. I was panicking a bit back there! Hmm...now to get cracking on that FA application! Cheers!</p>
<p>To be eligible for Federal grants for low-income students, or for Federal loans, you must complete the FAFSA: FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. </p>
<p>In addition to the Profile and its own application, Princeton requires the FAFSA.</p>