I’m an international student studying in U.S.
Is CSS Profile ONLY required when applying for need-based scholarship? For example, I applied to UPenn but not for financial aid. However, are there other reasons why colleges might require css profile? i.e. to check my family’s ability to pay full tuition for four year? merit-scholarship consideration?
As an international student you need to check one very important thing. MOST colleges will not allow you to apply for need based aid in subsequent years if you don’t apply as an incoming freshman.
So…question for you…can your parents fully fund all four years of college at a place like UPenn…with no aid. That would be about $270,000.
Yes, they are capable and willing to pay for me if I am accepted to UPenn. I just want to know if it’s still required to send CSS profile (perhaps to ensure your ability to pay full tuition) even when I am not applying to need-based scholarship.
If you don’t send the Profile, the school will expect you to be a full pay student.
UPenn doesn’t need this form unless you are applying for need based aid. PEnn doesn’t give merit scholarships…at all.
Ok, thank you very much!! I was just unsure because I’ve heard some schools just require every applicants to send it. Probably a rumor
Well, no, not exactly a rumor. Some colleges don’t award aid to students in later years if they didn’t apply as freshmen. So if something happens and parents can no longer pay, the students are out of luck at those schools.
UPenn’s website specifically recommends that internationals not apply for aid if they don’t need it:
On the other hand, they are very clear that if you don’t submit a financial aid application when you apply, you won’t be able to get any later. As long as your family is certain they will have the funds, then it’s best not to apply.
You will still be asked to provide proof of ability to pay (to the US consulate to get your visa and probably to the university) but they don’t use the CSS Profile for that.
You have to look at each college’s policies independently. The rumor that “some schools” require this may well be true for at least one school somewhere.