CampusPin Glossary
CSS Profile
A more detailed need-based aid form, separate from FAFSA, used by ~250 selective private colleges to award their own institutional aid.
The CSS Profile is administered by the College Board and used by approximately 250 mostly-private colleges to determine eligibility for the school's own institutional aid (NOT federal aid, that still requires FAFSA). The CSS Profile asks more detailed financial questions than FAFSA: home equity, non-custodial parent income, small-business holdings, retirement assets, special circumstances. There is a fee, but waivers are available.
If any of your target schools require CSS Profile, plan to file both FAFSA and CSS Profile during the application window, usually November or December for ED applicants.
See also
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the U.S. government form every undergraduate must file to access federal grants, loans, and work-study.
Institutional aid
Grants and scholarships paid by the college itself, separate from federal Pell, state grants, or outside private scholarships.
Need-blind admissions
An admissions policy in which the applicant's ability to pay is not considered in the admit/deny decision.
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