I believe that gifts to parents are considered income on the CSS Profile. Via Nerdwallet (2016 article https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/learn-the-css-profile-the-other-financial-aid-application/ ) “Gifts made to parents (such as by grandparents who want to help with college costs) are not considered “income” under the FAFSA but they are under the CSS Profile and given weight of up to 46%.”