FAFSA
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that you must fill out in order to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid (including grants, loans, and work-study programs). States may award additional non-federal aid based on the information you submit in your FAFSA, and colleges and universities also use this information to decide what type of financial aid package they will award to you. January 1 st is the first day that you may begin filling out a FAFSA. Each school has its own deadline for the FAFSA, so check with the schools you are applying to ahead of time. The FAFSA may be completed either online or with paper forms you mail in. Talk to your school counselor to request paper forms.
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®
In addition to filling out a FAFSA, many colleges will require you to submit a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® online. This form is very similar to the FAFSA, and much of the requested information is also the same. The CSS/PROFILE® helps colleges and universities to award non-federal student aid funds. Not every school will require you to complete this form, so check with the schools you are applying to and find out whether or not you need to fill out a CSS/PROFILE®.
To find out more about the FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®, or to register for and complete your FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE®, visit the following websites or talk to your school counselor:
