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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