Applying to college is an exercise in paperwork: recommendations, essays, the application itself, and the FAFSA — the form that determines whether your student is eligible for federal financial aid.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Robert Farrington writes about higher education and student loans. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is usually the ...

The CSS Profile is a financial aid application for school-based aid like scholarships and grants. You’ll still need to complete the FAFSA to qualify for federal and state financial aid. Unlike the ...

Completing the CSS profile can help you qualify for non-federal aid opportunities. This form, unlike the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) , is used by a limited number of colleges. It ...

The CSS Profile, administered by the College Board, is a crucial tool for students seeking financial aid from colleges beyond federal support. Unlike the FAFSA, which determines eligibility for ...

The CSS Profile is a financial aid application administered by the College Board and used by many universities in the US to determine eligibility for institutional grants, scholarships and need-based ...

Priority filing dates for new and returning students as it relates to the CSS Profile and FAFSA. Note for Returning Students: You can submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA starting October 1, 2025. We will not ...

Families making up to $100,000 a year will no longer have to pay for the CSS Profile, an online form applicants must use to apply for institutional aid at scores of high-profile colleges. The College ...

The CSS Profile, a detailed financial aid application by the College Board, is required by many U.S. universities to award institutional grants and scholarships. Because each institution sets its own ...