<p>We just finished all our college aps (yay!). We are applying for financial aid. We have a son in school and our EFC is about 25000. I was reading on another thread about the CSS. Do we have to fill it our? When filling out the Common Ap, "CSS" never came up. I'm concerned, as I have NO CLUE what this is. (I did just google it and found it at Collegeboard!)</p>
<p>CSS Profile is often used by private colleges. The privates who use CSS are typically the ones who give more need based aid. There are some privates who don’t use CSS, but those are typically the schools that have less aid to give.</p>
<p>It seems to me that the private schools that are mentioned most frequently here on CC are the ones who require CSS profile.</p>
<p>That’s my take on it. Others may say differently.</p>
<p>I’ve never done one, but I keep hearing that CSS Profile demands more info about assets, ex spouse earnings, step parent earnings, etc.</p>
<p>The common Ap is the application for admissions to college. It has nothing to do with the financial aid application process. You need to go and check the financial aid section of EACH school’s website. The schools will tell you what they require and the DEADLINE for submission of these application forms. Almost all schools require the FAFSA (which cannot be done until after Jan 1). Some schools require the Profile in addition to the FAFSA…the school website will tell you if they require the Profile and will give you a school ID number as well. Some schools require a school financial aid application from too. SO…you need to check. There are about 300 schools that use the Profile. Just check to see if your school lists it as a requirement. I would strongly suggest that you check the college website. College board also lists schools using their form…but sometimes that information is not as accurate as what the school sites say (some schools delete or add the Profile every year from their required forms).</p>
<p>Related to the above post…the FAFSA also requires the asset and income information from the step parent of the custodial parent…if there is one.</p>
<p>Profile requires information about the all parents regardless of marital status (and step parents too)…but some schools do not require a non-custodial parent form for divorced families. Again…you need to check the school.</p>
<p>To be honest, once you’ve completed your taxes, the Profile isn’t any harder to complete than the FAFSA. There is additional info you will be asked to provide, but if you have those assets, your family will also have that information.</p>