The CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) is a financial aid application managed by the College Board, used by nearly 400 colleges, universities, and scholarship programs to award institutional (non-federal) financial aid. While the FAFSA determines federal aid eligibility, the CSS Profile provides a more detailed picture of a family's finances to award institutional grants and scholarships.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Process
- Determine if your colleges require it. Check each college's financial aid website to confirm whether they require the CSS Profile. Not all colleges use it — it is most common at private and selecti...
- Create or log into your College Board account. If you have taken the SAT, PSAT, or AP exams, you likely already have an account at collegeboard.org.
- Gather required documents. Have the following ready:
- Federal tax returns for the past two years (both parents)
- W-2 and 1099 forms
- Current bank account balances (checking and savings)
- Investment account balances (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
- 529 plan values for all children in the household
- Retirement account information
- Real estate values and mortgage information
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the CSS Profile with the FAFSA
- Answering the wrong question with the right number
- Not including stepparent income
- Missing the non-custodial parent profile
- Submitting too close to deadlines
Pro Tips
- Complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile
- Start early
- Keep detailed financial records
- Use the special circumstances section strategically
- Check fee waiver eligibility