The Process: How to Complete the Application
Before You Start
- Visit cssprofile.org.
- Prepare by reviewing the helpful application resources found in the “Before You Apply” section of the website.
- The CSS Profile Overview answers many common application questions and takes just a few minutes to review.
- Ready to begin? Select the “Sign In to Apply” link and follow the instructions.
Completing the Application
- Have tax records and financial documents handy.
- Enter the required information about you and your family.
- Help is only one click away within the application through live chat, email, or phone.
Here’s what you can expect:
- The application dashboard is a helpful tool that provides a quick status of your progress and important messages from colleges. Questions are personalized based on your situation.
- Expect to be asked about income, assets, and expenses.
- If your parents are divorced or separated, review Information for Divorced Parents to learn more about what to expect.
- Your application is saved along the way. Return at any time to complete the application.
- You’ll receive alerts to missing or incorrect information.
- Secure data—your information is encrypted and stored with firewall protection.
Submit the Application
A final step in completing your application is selecting a college or scholarship program and entering your payment information. Once you have submitted your application, college-specific messages and a payment confirmation are available in the application dashboard.
Your application can be saved or printed from the application dashboard. This includes the data you entered on your application and your college and scholarship list. Note: At any time, you may add a college or program to your CSS Profile application from this dashboard.
The data on your CSS Profile are analyzed and reported to the colleges and scholarship programs you have specified. They then use the report to help determine your financial aid award.
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