The most common hurdle people face when pursuing international higher education is financing their education. The tuition fee and cost of living could appear hefty to many students and their families. However, students can reduce these costs multifold, thanks to the scholarships and financial aid made available by various governments, universities, and other institutions. One such option is CSS Profile.
Common Questions about the CSS Profile
The CSS Profile or College Scholarship Service Profile is online application colleges, and scholarship programs use to award non-federal institutional aid.
What is the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile is a financial aid application form that is used by certain colleges and universities to determine a student's eligibility for non-federal financial aid. It is administered by the College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT and AP exams.
Who uses the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile is used by more than 400 colleges and universities in the United States, including many private institutions. Each school sets its own deadline for CSS Profile submission, so it's important to check with the schools you're applying to for their specific deadline.
What information is required on the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile collects information about a student's family finances, including income, assets, and expenses. It also includes questions about the student's academic and extracurricular achievements, as well as any special circumstances that may impact their ability to pay for college.
When to complete the CSS Profile?
Most students complete the application in their senior year of high school starting on October 1. However, different schools may have different deadlines, so check with each school you are applying to.
How is the CSS Profile different from the FAFSA?
While both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA are used to determine a student's eligibility for financial aid, there are some key differences between the two. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid, such as grants, work-study, and loans. The CSS Profile is used by some schools to determine eligibility for non-federal financial aid, such as institutional grants and scholarships.
Who must complete the application?
Check your colleges' information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. Some schools may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications. Here's a comprehensive list of colleges that require you to complete the CSS Profile: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
How to complete the application?
The CSS Profile may only be submitted through the sign-in link available at cssprofile.org. Here's a list of steps you have to go through to complete your application:
Preparing to Apply
Before you begin to apply, there are certain prerequisites you should keep handy to ease the application process. Here's a list of resources:
Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Driver's license or state-issued ID
Current bank statements and investment records
Records of untaxed income, such as child support or veteran's benefits
Records of income earned by parents and students, including W-2 forms and tax returns
It's important to note that the CSS Profile requires more detailed financial information than the FAFSA, so be sure to gather all the necessary documents and information before you begin.
Create your User Account
If you have a College Board account, sign in using the same credentials. This will save you time and help us apply the fee waivers you received to your CSS Profile application. If not, create a new account.
Save
Remember: You do not need to complete the entire application at one time. You can save the edits and changes you've made and come back to them later.
Deadlines
To ensure your application will be considered on time, submit your CSS Profile by midnight Eastern Time of your earliest priority filing date.
Start the Application
After you've created an account, you'll need to add the schools that require the CSS Profile. You can add up to ten schools to your application, and each school may have different deadlines and requirements. Be sure to check each school's website for specific instructions.
Once you've added the schools, you can begin filling out the CSS Profile application. The application is divided into several sections, including:
Student Information: This section asks for basic information about the student, such as name, address, and date of birth.
Parent Information: This section asks for detailed financial information about the student's parents, such as income and assets.
Additional Information: This section asks for information about the student's household, such as the number of siblings in college.
Academic Information: This section asks for information about the student's academic achievements and interests.
Financial Information: This section asks for detailed financial information about the student and their parents, such as income and assets.
Documents and Payment: This section allows you to upload any required documents, such as tax returns, and pay the application fee.
Be sure to answer all questions accurately and thoroughly, and don't leave any sections blank. The application provides online help to guide you.
You do not need to complete the application all at once; you can save your application and return to it later.
Submit the Application
Once complete, submit your CSS Profile application. The submission date and time are based on Eastern Time. If necessary, you will pay your application fee when you are ready to submit it.
The Headmaster Tip: The CSS Profile is free to domestic undergraduate students whose family income is up to $100,000. Read more about Fee Waivers. If you do not receive a Fee Waiver, the fee for the initial application is $25. Additional reports are $16. Payment may be made via credit or debit card.
Review your Dashboard
Your Dashboard includes your payment receipt and any next steps, such as uploading documents through the Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). You may also add additional schools at any time by clicking on "Add a College or Program."
CSS Profile for International Students
Many colleges provide institutional financial aid to international students. These colleges need to understand your financial situation in the context of your local economy. The CSS Profile application will collect information about your family's income, assets, and expenses. You or your parents can enter the information in your home currency—we'll do the currency conversion for you.
College Board's software service platform is located in the United States. Therefore, your information will be transferred from your location to the United States. When you furnish information to the College Board through this system, you are consenting to a cross-border transfer of information. If you choose not to provide your information, please notify the college(s) requesting your application.
Why do colleges require CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile is required by colleges and universities in order to better identify each family's need for institutional aid. The CSS Profile, in contrast to the FAFSA, considers a more complete picture of a family's financial situation, including assets and expenses not included in tax returns. As a result, institutions are able to allocate their own financial aid resources with more discretion. Colleges and universities can give financial aid to students who need it most and guarantee that it is distributed fairly and equally by mandating the CSS Profile.
Additionally, the CSS Profile gives institutions a better insight into each family's financial condition, which is crucial when evaluating their capacity to contribute to the cost of attendance. Many families are in need of financial aid due to the escalating expense of a college education. Colleges and universities can choose which families should receive financial aid and in what quantities by asking them to fill out the CSS Profile. This makes it easier to make sure that the institution's limited resources are being used to serve those who need it most. Overall, the CSS Profile gives a more complete view of a family's financial situation and enables institutions to best distribute their financial aid funds.
Why do some colleges require CSS Profile from both parents?
Some universities need both parents to complete the CSS Profile because it enables them to calculate the financial contribution made by each parent separately. When determining a student's financial need, the CSS Profile takes into account both parents' financial resources as well as the income, wealth, and expenses of each parent. This enables institutions to make better choices regarding how much financial aid to give each student.
The CSS Profile offers a more complete view of the family's finances than the FAFSA does, which is another reason why some institutions demand that both parents complete it. The CSS Profile considers both parents' financial information, independent of custody or remarriage, whereas the FAFSA only requests financial data from the custodial parent and their spouse. This can assist colleges in better understanding a family's actual financial condition and determining how much financial aid to provide.
Finally, by requesting the CSS Profile from both parents, the privacy of each parent is protected because each parent must submit a separate application. Without having to share it with the other parent, each parent is free to divulge their own financial information. When the parents are divorcing or separated and have disparate financial means, this can be very crucial. Colleges can guarantee that each parent's financial information is kept private and is not disclosed to the other parent by requiring separate applications.
What financial documents do you need?
It's crucial to have all the essential financial documentation on hand while completing the CSS Profile. This includes your most recent tax returns, which will be used to calculate the income and assets of your family. Additionally, you will require documentation of your current-year earnings, such as pay stubs or business records, as well as documentation of any unreported earnings or benefits from both the current and past tax years. This can apply to things like workers' compensation or child support.
You must also present recent bank statements that detail every account that you and your parents have. Checking, savings, and investment accounts are included in this. Additionally, you want to compile a record of any additional financial holdings, such as bonds or trusts. You will be able to complete the CSS Profile more quickly and accurately if all of these papers are organized and available to you.
To understand the application process, here's a step-by-step presentation guide for you:
Sources
"CSS Profile." CSS Profile – CSS Profile | College Board. Web. 20 Apr. 2023.
If you’re looking to apply to international universities or exploring overseas higher education options, The Headmaster Consulting can help you narrow your selection and provide you with insights about universities. For more information about universities, you can check out our University Insights. If you’re unsure of your profile, book a free consulting session with one of our consultants to help you build a standout profile.
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