CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE

Ah yes, because talking about financial aid is so much fun I thought I'd end the year by throwing out another reminder.  This one is about a form that most people have understandably never heard of:  the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE from College Board.  Most colleges don't use this form to calculate your financial aid, but all schools that do require the PROFILE are listed here.  Some scholarships also require it and that information should be plainly stated on the application instructions.

The PROFILE was explained to me (by a former UCLA financial aid counselor) as a means of automatically "verifying" a family's income, whereas the FAFSA itself is only audited or "verified" occasionally, either randomly or when one of several possible red flags is triggered by the information submitted.  Unfortunately, there is a cost involved for submitting the PROFILE:  $9 for the application fee and $16 for each school you send it to.  However, if it is required in order to receive grants, work study, scholarships and loans from your college of choice, that is a relatively small investment.

Have a great New Year's Eve, and my best wishes to you for a healthy, happy, successful and adventurous 2011.