Guides
CSS Profile: what it is and how to find each school's deadline
Updated November 2026
The CSS Profile is a financial aid application run by the College Board. Some colleges and scholarship programs ask for it on top of the FAFSA. Each school sets its own CSS Profile deadline, so you find it on that school’s financial aid page. Date checked: November 15, 2026. Official page: cssprofile.collegeboard.org. WealthNutz is not affiliated with the College Board.
Open the official CSS Profile site (opens the official site in a new tab)What the CSS Profile is
The CSS Profile is an online form from the College Board. Colleges and scholarship programs use it to award nonfederal aid. “Nonfederal” means aid that comes from colleges and scholarship programs rather than the federal government.
You fill out one application, then add each school on your list that uses it (each extra college has a fee unless you have a waiver).
How it is different from the FAFSA
- The FAFSA is the free federal form. It is how you apply for federal and state student grants, work-study and loans (StudentAid.gov).
- The CSS Profile is a separate form from the College Board. A school that uses it may use your answers to decide its own grants and scholarships.
The CSS Profile does not replace the FAFSA. If a school asks for both, file both. Check each school’s page to see what it requires.
Who needs it
Only some schools use the CSS Profile. The College Board keeps a list of colleges, universities and scholarship programs that use it. The list shows, for each one, whether it uses the Profile for domestic students, international students and noncustodial parents. The list we checked is for the 2027-28 aid year, so confirm which year your school wants.
The College Board’s advice is to check schools’ websites or contact the school. So for every school on your list, look at its financial aid page and see if it asks for the CSS Profile.
What it costs, and fee waivers
The College Board says the CSS Profile costs $25 for your first application, which covers one college, and $16 for each additional college. It is free if you get a fee waiver (below). The College Board does not state a year for these amounts, so check its “Complete the application” page or its cost help page for the current price before you pay. Date checked: November 15, 2026.
The CSS Profile is free for undergraduates living in the U.S. when any one of these is true:
- family adjusted gross income is up to $100,000;
- the student qualified for an SAT fee waiver; or
- the student is an orphan or ward of the court under age 24.
It is also free for the noncustodial parent of an undergraduate when that parent’s family adjusted gross income is up to $100,000. The College Board grants these waivers automatically. It does not give waivers outside this process, but some schools run their own fee waiver programs, so check your school’s aid page. International students: see the College Board’s International Applicants page. College Board fee waivers.
What to gather before you start
The College Board’s “Getting started” page lists:
- your most recently completed tax returns
- W-2 forms
- records of current-year income
- records of untaxed income and benefits
- records of assets
- bank statements
Parents usually have these, so ask them early. Tip from the College Board: answer the “Student Status” questions about the student, not a parent. You can save your application and come back to it later.
Some families have divorced or separated parents. Some colleges may require the CSS Profile from both custodial and noncustodial parents (College Board). The College Board’s page for parents explains that a noncustodial parent creates their own College Board account. Check each school’s page to see what it needs.
How to find a school's CSS Profile deadline
The College Board does not set one deadline for everyone. It says to submit by midnight Eastern Time of your earliest priority filing date. That date is set by each school, and a school may have different dates for different ways of applying. Check the school’s own page.
- Check that the school is on the College Board’s list of schools that use the CSS Profile.
- Open the school’s own financial aid website. Look for pages usually named “How to apply for aid,” “Apply for financial aid” or “Deadlines.”
- Find the line that names the CSS Profile. Write down the date that applies to the way you are applying.
- Note the date and the page address in your calendar, so you can check it again later.
- Still unsure? Email or call the financial aid office and ask: “What is the CSS Profile deadline for the way I am applying?”
A date on a blog, a forum or a video can be old. Use the school’s own page. Dates change from year to year, so we do not list school deadlines here.
After you submit
You can add more schools or fix mistakes from your College Board dashboard (College Board). Watch each school’s aid portal and your email for anything the school asks for next.
Schools on WealthNutz that mention the CSS Profile
- Stanford: its aid page explains its need-based aid
- USC: its financial aid hub
- NYU: official financial aid links
These pages hold official links only. For dates, use the school’s own financial aid page.
Questions
Do I need both the CSS Profile and the FAFSA?
It depends on the school. The FAFSA is the federal form. Some schools also ask for the CSS Profile. Read each school’s financial aid page and file what it asks for.
Is the CSS Profile free?
Sometimes. The College Board says it is free for undergraduates living in the U.S. in families with adjusted gross income up to $100,000, for students who qualified for an SAT fee waiver, and for orphans or wards of the court under 24. Otherwise the fee applies, though some schools have their own waiver programs. See the College Board’s fee waiver page and confirm current amounts.
Where do I find my school’s CSS Profile deadline?
On the school’s own financial aid website, usually under “How to apply” or “Deadlines.” The College Board says to check schools’ websites or contact the school.
Can I start before my school posts its date?
Check the College Board home page to see which application years are open, and read the school’s page. Do not guess a date.
Next steps
Education only, not financial advice. WealthNutz is not affiliated with the College Board, the U.S. Department of Education or any school, and this is a summary, not an official page. We never ask for your SSN or your login. Checked on November 15, 2026; fees, rules and dates can change, so confirm on the official pages.