Before You Apply
Why should you complete the CSS Profile? Each year CSS Profile unlocks access to grant aid in excess of $9 billion for thousands of students.
Check our list of participating colleges to see if the CSS Profile is required to apply for institutional financial aid.
Review the CSS Profile Student Guide (.pdf/81KB) for instructions on completing your application.
If you have a College Board account, sign in using the same credentials.
Tour our CSS Profile Overview or contact us for additional assistance.
Questions about Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC)? Review our tutorial or log in to submit documents.
General questions about paying for college? Visit Big Future.
How to Apply
Need more information before getting started with your CSS Profile application? Help is only one click away.
Highlights, helpful tips and resources
Tour our CSS Profile Overview for highlights, helpful tips and re- sources.
Step-by-step instructions
View our CSS Profile Tutorial for step-by- step instructions.
Customer Support
Contact us to chat live, email or speak by phone to one of our representatives. And get answers to commonly asked questions by viewing one of our brief “How Do I?” videos.
Fee Waivers
Providing eligible students with fee waivers for College Board programs and services is integral to our mission of connecting students to college success and opportunity.
First-year undergraduate college applicants whose parents live in the U.S. may receive CSS Profile fee waivers if:
The student used an SAT fee waiver or
or
The parental income reported on their CSS Profile is approximately $45,000 or less or
or
The student is an orphan or ward of the court under the age of 24.
International Applicants
Many colleges provide institutional financial aid to international students.
View our list of participating colleges to see if the CSS Profile is required to apply for institutional financial aid.
Our software service platform is located in the United States. Your information will be transferred from your location to the United States. When you furnish information to the College Board through this system, you are consenting to a cross-border transfer of information. If you choose not to provide your information please notify the college(s) requesting your application.
Information for Divorced or Separated Parents
Some colleges may require the CSS Profile from both biological parents in cases of divorce or separation.
How do I know if the CSS Profile is required from both of my biological parents?
View our list of participating colleges or your college’s financial aid website.
What if I do not have any contact with my noncustodial parent?
A noncustodial parent is typically the parent the student did not live with most of the time during the past year. A CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent (.pdf/187KB) is available to provide to colleges. Waiver decisions are made by each college.
How does my noncustodial parent create an account to begin completing the CSS Profile?
View our instructions (.pdf/259KB) for establishing a College Board account and signing in to the CSS Profile Application.