The CSS Profile–perhaps an even bigger mystery than the FAFSA.  While all schools require a completed FAFSA, the  College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile is used mostly by private colleges as a financial aid supplement.  Its purpose is to determine each individual’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile looks for other types of college money, and asks about sources such as home equity.  Students submitting the form are charged $9 for the application AND $16 for each copy sent.

You might be thinking, “GREAT.  Now I have more applications to figure out!”  Don’t sweat it.  Just like the FAFSA, students can practice filling out the CSS Profile.  Don’t sit on this for too long, though, as it’s best to submit the Profile in October of senior year.  But let’s get on to the practice.

Before you do anything, make sure the following information is available:

• W-2 Forms for the last year
• Tax Returns from the last year
• Records of investments
• Recent bank statements

The CSS Profile and CSS Profile Worksheet are lengthy documents, so it’s best to have the answers in front of you.  The CSS Profile itself becomes customized depending on your situation and answers to specific questions, but most of the CSS Profile Worksheet questions will follow the same pattern.  Let’s consider some categories of questions, along with examples.

Registration Data

• Name
• Address
• Date of Birth
• Social Security number

Application Data–often separated into two questions, one for the student and another for the parents.

• Marital Status
• Citizenship Status
• Has and income tax return been completed?
• Does the family receive financial assistance?

Let us also consider some Parent Data, which is very specific.  Only a few categories will be examined.

Parents’ Data–completed for each parent.

• Name
• Date of Birth
• If this parent is unemployed, indicate start  of unemployment
• Indicate specific plans for the parent’s retirement (several questions)

Parents’ Income and Benefits–indicate previous two years’ information as well as expected future information.

• Total number of exemptions for the year (2009, 2010, and 2011)
• Total work-related earnings
• Other taxable income (i.e. alimony, annuities, etc)

Parents’ Expenses

• How much child support was paid the previous year (if applicable)?
• How much does each parent expect to pay on their own student loans in the coming year?
• What is the monthly mortgage payment or rental fee?

If you are the student reading this, remember that these questions are on the application for you to answer too, if applicable.  If your situation is unique, don’t worry about it.  There is a space at the end of the CSS Profile Worksheet to elaborate on individual circumstances.

This was a pretty quick walk through of The CSS Profile Worksheet, and feel free to use it as practice too.  For more detailed practice, search for worksheets online, and consider financial aid consulting!  Go Financial Aid is always here to help you navigate the financial aid process!

Living in Pittsburgh has taught me many lessons. One of those lessons is that there are seasons. Coming from Louisiana, there are pretty much hot and warm seasons. As the winter and spring seasons are still pretty new to me, they teach me that there is a time for everything. Every year, I pull out the winter clothes to prepare and anchor down for the cold it brings. Gratefully spring is FINALLY here and I have torn off the layers of winter clothing for warmer, spring-time sunshine.

Just as there are seasons, you can pretty much say that when it comes to financial aid, FAFSA Renewal has its own season. Completing the FAFSA is not a one-time deal if you want to receive funding year after year. You are not able to only  complete your FAFSA freshman year and receive the same amount of financial aid every year until you graduate.

The FAFSA must be renewed every year, beginning January 1^st. That means that in order to complete a FAFSA renewal, you will have already completed the FAFSA at least once before applying again.

There are great benefits to renewing your FAFSA online. If you submitted your FAFSA at least once before, the FAFSA Renewal application remembers or keeps that information, and you don’t have to fill it in again. You spend less time searching for information because your FAFSA saves some of it from the previous year you completed your FAFSA. You will, of course still have to provide some financial, up-to-date information and your school codes.

Even though you have gone through the process of filling out your FAFSA at least once, many people continue to need help with their FAFSA year after year. We have financial aid consultants available to help you.

Whether you have completed your FAFSA or not, remember it has it’s own season, and that season begins January 1^st. Check your state and school deadlines to find out when that season ends. Don’t be afraid to ask your school advisor about your FAFSA financial aid deadline.

Be prepared to take the test. This may just cut down on the amount of time you plan on taking the SAT, which will ultimately keep more money in your pocket. Planning on buying a study guide? In my quick research on Amazon.com, you can buy The Official SAT Study Guide new for $21.99 or you buy the same book used from $10.30 (this book is described as used-like new). Remember, this is not a book you are probably not going to read religiously for the rest of your life. If you plan on buying multiple books, buy at once you may be able to combine shipping. Once you are finished, sell them back. You might just be able to get a majority of your money back.

If you were among the 30 million children to receive free or reduced lunches through the National School Lunch Program, you may be eligible to have the SAT fee waived. Contact your school’s guidance office for details.

College Visits-
Campus visits are the best way to check out a campus. However, these visits come with the possibility of gas money, airfare, lodging, food, etc. While, nothing can replace actually stepping foot on a campus. If you aren’t 100% sure, try a virtual tour first. Many college websites provide virtual tours. After taking this tour, if you need to see more. Consider making the trip, if you weren’t left on the edge of your seat needing to see more you may want to reconsider. You can also rely on word of mouth and brochures to cut down the list of places you need to see.

If you do decide to make the trip here are some ways to cut costs-
-Looking at multiple colleges in the same area? Check them out all in one trip.
-Going on vacation? Try and visit colleges on the way.
-If mom and dad can, leave siblings at home.
-Now may be a great time to cash in on those frequent flier miles or use those fuel perks!
-Some schools that will allow the prospective student to stay on campus. It’s often free and they may provide the student with meals. It is also a great way to get the dorm room experience.
-Ask for a campus rate at neighboring hotels. Some schools have partnerships with local hotels that provide visitors with discounts.
-If you can, save money up ahead of time. Even if you can only put $5 a week away from the time your child begins high school. You’ll end up with over $500 saved by the summer before senior year.

Applications-
In order to get into school you must apply. In order to apply, you must submit the application fee. Application fees can cost up to $60. Look for schools who waive the application fee if you apply online. When choosing where to apply, avoid applying to a lot of schools that are not so much within your reach. If you qualify to have your SAT fee waived, you may also qualify to have the application fee waived on up to four schools. Some colleges, may accept hardship letters from a guidance counselor. If you are set on one particular school, early admission may save you a lot of money in application fees. If possibly, visit a campus before submitting an application.