CSS Profile, created by CollegeBoard, is a financial aid application required for students to receive institutional aid. In order to receive Harvard University Scholarships, MIT Scholarships, Yale Scholarships, and many others, these institutes require students to fill out a CSS Profile.

This differs from FAFSA, a form required to receive federal aid and which international students are not eligible to receive. Most colleges will require you to submit the CSS Profile for colleges to calculate your financial need and award appropriate financial aid packages. However, if you are an international student, a few colleges may ask for an International Student Financial Aid Application instead of the CSS Profile.

In this article, we will be looking at how to fill out the CSS Profile.

How Do I Fill out the CSS Profile?

International students should log in to their CollegeBoard account. After you have logged in, you will need to complete the CSS Profile registration. When you register, keep in mind that it is important to select the correct academic year you will be applying for financial aid. For example, if you will be a freshman in college in 2024, select the academic year 2024-2025. After registering, the next step is to enter your financial information.

What Kind of Financial Information Does the CSS Profile Require?

CSS Profile typically asks for detailed information about your parent’s income, work benefits, assets, expenses, and business (if applicable). By filling out this information, you need to prepare the necessary documents such as tax return forms, certification of income, certification of assets, etc. The information that you will be entering should be from the prior year that you will be applying for financial aid.

Check Also: Available Programs for International Students

When is the CSS Profile Available? Do I Need to Fill CSS Profile Quickly?

The best time to complete your CSS Profile is at least two weeks before your chosen college’s priority application deadline. We suggest completing the profile early to avoid unnecessary mistakes. Take time to fill out all the necessary information and ensure to enter the correct information by having all the necessary documents on hand. Remember to submit the duly completed CSS Profile before the school or program deadline.

Are there Any Other Financial Documents that I Need to Fill Out Other than the CSS Profile?

Yes, there are two other financial documents that you will need to fill out. While you are completing the CSS Profile, you can also start with the International Student Certification and Finance and International Student Financial Aid Application. These two documents are much less detailed than the CSS Profile which wouldn’t take too much of your time. Also, there’s financial information you need to fill out in the CSS Profile so it wouldn’t come off as a hassle if you fill out the three applications altogether.

How Much Does it Cost to File CSS Profile?

A fee of $25 will be collected once you submit a college or program scholarship and an additional $16 for additional reports. However, CSS Profile is free for degree-seeking students whose family-adjusted annual income is $100,000, those eligible for SAT fee waiver, or if you are under 24 years old and is an orphan of the court.

 

We hope that this article on filling out the CSS Profile was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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2 Comments

  1. Nwuba israel - Reply

    Yes, it does answer a lot of questions here. Also, I want to know if I can get my offer letter with scholarships attached to it even before i submit my CSS application?

    • Hyun Lee - Reply

      No, you need to apply for financial aid with CSS Profile first. If you are accepted, you will get the offer letter.

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