What is CSS exactly? I looked it up but I'm still confused

<p>I am currently in a college where they said I don't have to do CSS Profile, but the incoming freshmen do.
But I do apply for FAFSA. I asked my financial aid staff but they didnt give me any answers.</p>

<p>So I was wondering if I do fill out the CSS Profile, will I get more aid from school in addition to the aid from FAFSA?
Is CSS Profile aid other than from FAFSA?</p>

<p>Or do i not have to do CSS Profile for my college because the college is already giving aid other than fafsa ?</p>

<p>I'm sorry but I'm confused</p>

<p>They are doing you a favor. The CSS is an additional financial form used like the FAFSA, but it is more extensive and in depth about your finances. Usually you get less aid when you fill out CSS because it considers more extensive info, like non custodial parent income and more assets. </p>

<p>CSS is not aid. It is a form the colleges uses to determine what they are going to give you from their own money, that is separate from any Federal aid you get. If you fill out the CSS when they don’t want it you will not get more aid–they are telling you that they are already giving you the full amount they intend to.</p>

<p>Is there a list of prominent schools that use or don’t use CSS?</p>

<p>Most public schools do not use CSS (except UMich). Many private schools require CSS. You can find the list on CB. If it is not required, do not submit it. It costs you money to register and to submit to each school.</p>

<p>As Billscho says you can find the list of schools that require CSS PROFILE. Some colleges that did not use PROFILE switch over to using it. There was a time that NYU, for example, did not require PROFILE, but now it does. ALso at some schools, only incoming freshmen as they apply for college are required to file PROFILE with follow up years just needing the FAFSA unless a significant change in finances occurs.</p>

<p>Bill…it is way smarter for the students to check the actual college websites to see which colleges require the Profile. EVERY student applying for aid should check EACH college website (for their schools) for financial aid submission requirements AND the deadlines. These vary wildly from school to school.</p>

<p>The CB website isn’t always the most up to date with regards to those requirements…check the COLLEGE websites. They will tell you what they require.</p>

<p>ETA…University of Virginia and University of NC-CH (both public universities) require the Profile also.</p>

<p>@ thumper1,
It is true that one can check each school individually. I am just answering his question specifically. Besides, there is a searchable database on CB. So, if you need to check multiple schools, it may still be easier to go to CB. If you just want to find out for one school, there is no point not to visit the FA website of that particularly school. The CB database is up to date, or you cannot submit CSS profile to that school as they are managing it.</p>