Applying to college is an exercise in paperwork: recommendations, essays, the application itself, and the FAFSA — the form that determines whether your student is eligible for federal financial aid.

Hundreds of colleges use the CSS Profile to award institutional grants and scholarships to students. The 2025-26 form opened on Oct. 1, 2024.

It allows Drexel to consider you for need-based grant aid. Drexel grants are considered gift aid; they don't need to be paid back. In 2025–2026, the average financial aid package was $40,814 for first ...

The CSS Profile, managed by the College Board, helps students access institutional financial aid beyond federal support. Unlike the FAFSA, it provides colleges with a detailed view of income, assets, ...

This financial aid form is the key to non-federal aid at some colleges Greg Daugherty has worked 25+ years as an editor and writer for major publications and websites. He is also the author of two ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. The CSS Profile is an application for college financial aid required by 300 colleges, universities and scholarship organizations.