CSS Profile, administered by College Board, is a financial aid application used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. Students applying for institutional aid, including Harvard University Scholarships, MIT Scholarships, Yale Scholarships, and many others, should check each institution’s financial aid requirements because the CSS Profile may be required.
This differs from the FAFSA, which students use to apply for federal grants, work-study funds, and loans. To receive federal student aid, students generally must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, so most international students are not eligible for federal student aid. Colleges that use the CSS Profile may require it to calculate your financial need and award appropriate institutional financial aid packages. However, if you are an international student, some colleges may ask for an International Student Financial Aid Application or a similar school-specific form instead of, or in addition to, the CSS Profile.
In this article, we will be looking at how to fill out the CSS Profile.
How Do I Fill out the CSS Profile?
International students should log in to their College Board account. After you have logged in, you will need to complete the CSS Profile registration. When you register, keep in mind that it is important to select the correct academic year for which you are applying for financial aid. For example, if you will be a first-year student for the 2026–2027 academic year, select 2026–2027. After registering, the next step is to enter your financial information.
What Kind of Financial Information Does the CSS Profile Require?
CSS Profile typically asks for detailed information about your parents’ income, work benefits, assets, expenses, and business, if applicable. To fill out this information, you should prepare the necessary documents, such as your most recently completed tax returns, W-2 forms or other records of current-year income, records of untaxed income and benefits, assets, and bank statements. International applicants can usually enter financial information in their home currency, and College Board will handle the currency conversion.
When is the CSS Profile Available? Do I Need to Fill CSS Profile Quickly?
The CSS Profile application becomes available on October 1 each year, but schools may have different deadlines. The best time to complete your CSS Profile is at least two weeks before your chosen college’s priority application deadline. We suggest completing the profile early to avoid unnecessary mistakes. Take time to fill out all the necessary information and make sure you enter the correct details by having all the required documents on hand. Remember to submit the completed CSS Profile before the school or program deadline.
Are there Any Other Financial Documents that I Need to Fill Out Other than the CSS Profile?
Possibly. Requirements vary by institution, so always check each college’s financial aid website. While you are completing the CSS Profile, you may also be asked to submit supporting documents through College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service, or IDOC. Some international students may also need to complete forms such as the International Student Certification and Finance or the International Student Financial Aid Application, depending on the college. These forms are generally used to help colleges verify your financial situation or confirm that you have enough funds for visa documentation.
How Much Does it Cost to File CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile costs $25 for the initial application to one institution and $16 for each additional institution. However, the CSS Profile may be free for undergraduate students living in the U.S. if their family adjusted gross income is up to $100,000, if the student qualified for an SAT fee waiver, or if the student is an orphan or ward of the court under the age of 24.
We hope that this article on filling out the CSS Profile was helpful. To know more information on studying in the U.S., visit our Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students!
