What's the Difference Between CSS Profile and the FAFSA?
If you’re considering attending college after high school and looking for financial support, CSS Profile and the FAFSA® are great ways to get the support you need.
Check out these quick facts to help you understand and plan your college financial aid.
CSS Profile Fast Facts
- Where to Apply: cssprofile.org
- How to Apply: Online or mobile
- Type of Aid: Institutional
- Cost: Free for undergraduate students living in the U.S. with a family income up to $100,000. Otherwise, the cost to submit is $25 for the first application and $16 for each subsequent application.
- Application Renewal: Based on each institution’s policies
FAFSA Fast Facts
- Where to Apply: fafsa.gov
- How to Apply: Online, mobile, or by mail
- Type of Aid: Federal, and sometimes state and institutional
- Cost: Free
- Application Renewal: Annually
What Is CSS Profile?
CSS Profile is an online application service used by hundreds of colleges, universities, and scholarship programs to equitably award billions of dollars in grants each year. CSS Profile is not required by all colleges and does not replace the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
CSS Profile collects additional information—such as how many students a family has in college, unforeseen medical circumstances, and more—allowing students and families to provide a detailed picture of their financial circumstances.
You can find out online which institutions use CSS Profile. Or check your institution’s financial aid website. Use CSS Profile resources to gather information and help you complete your application.
What Is the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form you need to fill out to receive any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Submitting the FAFSA is the most important step you can take if you’re looking for financial aid.
Check out FAFSA Topics and Resources on BigFuture to gather the necessary information for your financial aid application. These resources will guide you through each step in the FAFSA application process and help you understand what to expect after you submit your FAFSA.