If you're applying to selective private colleges, you'll almost certainly hear about two financial aid forms: FAFSA and the CSS Profile. They serve different purposes, and understanding the difference could significantly affect how much aid you receive.
What FAFSA Covers
FAFSA is administered by the U.S. Department of Education and determines your eligibility for federal aid: Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study. Every college that participates in federal financial aid programs requires FAFSA — that's virtually every accredited U.S. college. FAFSA is free to file.
What the CSS Profile Covers
The CSS Profile is administered by College Board and is used by approximately 400 colleges — mostly selective private universities — to award their own institutional grant money. These are funds that come directly from the college's endowment, not the federal government. Because colleges control this money, they use the more detailed CSS Profile to make their own aid determinations.
Key Differences in What They Ask
FAFSA uses a simpler formula based primarily on adjusted gross income, assets, and family size. The CSS Profile goes deeper: it asks about home equity, small business assets, non-custodial parent income, medical expenses, and private school tuition paid for other children. This additional detail can work in your favor — some expenses that don't reduce your aid on FAFSA do reduce it on the CSS Profile.
Cost of the CSS Profile
The CSS Profile costs $25 for the first school and $16 for each additional school. Fee waivers are available for students whose family income qualifies — check College Board's criteria when you register.
Which Schools Require It?
Most Ivy League schools, MIT, Stanford, Duke, Vanderbilt, and many other highly selective private colleges require the CSS Profile. Always check each school's financial aid page to confirm requirements before their deadlines.