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Some private and selective colleges want a second aid form beyond the FAFSA. Here’s the honest version — starting with whether you even need it (most Arizona students don’t).
First: do you even need it?
Probably not. ASU, UA, NAU, and most public universities use only the FAFSA. The CSS Profile is for the ~200 mostly private and highly selective colleges that give their own aid — so check each school on your list first. If none require it, you can stop reading here.
| FAFSA | CSS Profile | |
|---|---|---|
| Who uses it | Nearly every college, for federal + state aid | About 200 mostly private/selective schools, for their own institutional aid |
| Cost | Always free | A fee per school (~$25 first, ~$16 each more) — with waivers |
| Parents | Your contributor parent(s) | Often BOTH biological parents, even if divorced |
| Detail | Streamlined | Much deeper — assets, home equity, sometimes medical costs |
| Where | studentaid.gov | cssprofile.collegeboard.org |
| Deadline | Federal + school priority dates | Each school’s own date — often earlier, especially for ED/EA |
If you do need it — what to gather
Check what you already have. We’ll tell you whether you’re ready to start — nothing is stored.
Start gathering your documents
Start with the two essentials: a College Board account and your (and your parents’) tax returns and W-2s. Everything else depends on your schools and family situation.
Do I need the CSS Profile for ASU, UA, or NAU?
No. Arizona’s public universities use only the FAFSA. The CSS Profile is for the roughly 200 mostly private and highly selective colleges that award their own institutional aid — check each school’s financial-aid page to be sure.
Is it free like the FAFSA?
No — it charges a fee per school. But fee waivers are automatic for lower-income families and for students who received an SAT fee waiver, so you should never have to choose between the form and the fee.
Why does it ask about my other parent?
Many CSS Profile schools consider both biological parents’ ability to pay, even after a divorce. If a parent truly can’t be reached or involved, ask the college about a non-custodial-parent waiver.
When is it due?
Each school sets its own deadline, and they’re often earlier than the FAFSA — especially for Early Decision or Early Action. File as soon as it opens (usually October).
General guidance — each college sets its own requirement, fee, and deadline. Always confirm on the school’s financial-aid page; the official form is at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.