As I'm applying to colleges that require the CSS Profile, I'm curious about the costs associated with submitting it. I know there's a fee involved, but I'm not exactly sure how it all works.
Can someone explain how the payment system operates with the CSS Profile and if there are any fee waivers available for certain applicants? Is this something I should budget for multiple times if I'm applying to several schools, or does one payment cover all applications?
Any insights into managing these costs would be really appreciated!
The CSS Profile does indeed come with a fee, but there are also opportunities for fee waivers. As of the 2024-2025 application year, the fee to send the CSS Profile to one college is $25. If you’re planning to apply to several colleges that require it, you will need to pay an additional $16 for each additional college.
However, you might be eligible for a CSS Profile fee waiver if you are a first-year undergraduate applicant whose parents live in the U.S. Eligibility is usually automatically determined based on the information provided in the CSS Profile application. You could qualify for a fee waiver if:
1. Your family's annual income is $40,000 or less, and
2. You qualify for an SAT Fee Waiver, or
3. You're an orphan or ward of the court under the age of 24.
If you receive an SAT Fee Waiver, then the CSS Profile fee will be automatically waived for up to eight colleges. This could be a significant cost-saver, so it's worth researching and seeing if you meet the eligibility criteria.
An important note is that the CSS Profile doesn't cost the same for all students applying to the same school. College Board, which administers the CSS Profile, charges students to submit it, but colleges individually decide whether they will cover the cost or not. Some colleges may pay the CSS Profile submission fee for their applicants.
So, yes, you should budget for these costs in your college application process if you don't qualify for a fee waiver. However, keep in mind that many schools do provide need-based fee waivers for their application fees, and it might be worth reaching out to schools individually to ask if they offer similar waivers for the CSS Profile.
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