michellekf

I am applying to many schools (UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, University of Southern California, Northwestern, University of Central Florida, Ohio State, Ohio University Athens, Michigan State, Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina)... I completed the CSS profile for a scholarship back in October. Once I do the FAFSA as well, can/should I send the CSS AND the FAFSA to ALL of my schools? Can you do that?

Also, I've already been accepted at CCU, UCF, OU Athens, and Bowling Green. Should I send it to them too? Coastal has already offered me 12k in scholarships without sending them anything..

turtlerock

Typically, the CSS Profile is for applying to be considered for financial aid directly from the college or university (not like Federal financial aid, which is what the FAFSA is for).

Some colleges require the CSS Profile when determining how to distribute it's aid and some do not. The BEST way for you to know this is to visit each school's financial aid website or call their financial aid offices and determine if it is required for that school. If it's not, then you probably shouldn't send it and I'm not even sure you can send it to them if they do not require it . . . In short, you will not miss out on the opportunity to receive financial aid from a school if you do not send them the CSS AND they do not require it as part of their financial aid requirements. Plus it would cost you a considerable amount of money to send it to each school as it's like $16 per unless you obtain a waiver through your school counselor.

Best of luck.

thumper1

you can ONLY send the CSS Profile to schools that USE the CSS Profile. If you have a college that requires the Profile you MUST send it. Most schools require the FAFSA in addition to the the Profile (Principia College uses only the Profile...but that is a huge exception to the rule).

If you colleges do NOT use the Profile, there is NO WAY for you to send it to them unless youi print it out and mail it...but they would not use it anyway.