Financial Aid Basics
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is the first step toward getting federal aid for college, career school, or graduate school. FAFSA provide more than $150 billion in grants, work-study funds, and loans each year.
Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and quick, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA data to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.
The FAFSA is available to complete beginning October 1 of senior year. Additional resources are below including a video of our evening presentation and all handouts from that event.
WHAT is the CSS Profile? The CSS Profile is an online application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award Institutional (theirown)aid. (For federal aid you must completethe FAFSA, available Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov.)
WHEN do I complete the CSS Profile? Most students complete the application in their senior year of high school. Schools may have different deadlines - be sure to check with each school you are applying to.
WHO must complete the CSS Profile? Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating colleges is also found on the CSS Profile Homepage. Some schools may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications.
HOW do I complete the CSS Profile? You submit the CSS Profile at cssprofile.org. Once you signin, you will find a list of useful documents, such as your federal tax returns and other financial information that you’ll need to have on hand to complete the application.
