How to fill out FAFSA and CSS Profile

MUW Team

// July 12, 2023

Financial aid application process, Financial education

Introduction

The CBoth, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and the CSS Profile are essential requirements for applying for college financial aid. The FAFSA is particularly used by colleges and universities to evaluate and determine the amount of financial aid to grant to students. The Profile is also a form colleges use when evaluating your application for federal student loans. Both documents are due July 1 each year, so get started early!

Create FSA ID.

Creating an FSA ID is the initial step for students who intend to apply for federal student aid. This is a secure, electronic way to apply for financial assistance, and it’s used by the Department of Education (DoE) to verify your identity when applying for federal student aid.

To create an FSA ID, go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm and click “Create FSA ID.” You’ll be prompted with some basic information about yourself–name, date of birth, etc.–and then asked some security questions to which only someone who knows you well would know the answers. Once all this information has been verified (this can take up to 24 hours), they will send an email notification with your username and password so that the next time when logging into this site or any other DoE-related website such as FAFSA itself or StudentLoans.gov

you’ll be able to use your FSA ID.

If you’re already a student and have applied for federal student aid, then the first thing you’ll need to do is create an FSA ID. This is a secure, electronic way to apply for financial assistance, and it’s used by the Department of Education (DoE) to verify your identity when applying for federal student aid. To create an FSA ID, go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm.

Fill out FAFSA online.

The FAFSA is a form you fill out to apply for financial aid. It’s free, and it can be completed online at fafsa.ed.gov. To access the site, you’ll need a username and password–which you can create on the same place by clicking “Create an FSA ID” in the upper right-hand corner of any page (you will also need this information later).

Once logged in, click “Create a new FAFSA” at the top right of your screen to start filling out your application; then enter all requested information as accurately as possible, including:

Names of people who live with you in your household (parents are not required)
Your social security number or ITIN, if applicable
Your birth date (MM/DD/YYYY format)

Your marital status (single, married, separated, divorced), if applicable Your address and contact information, including email address and Income information for all people in your household. If you have not yet filed taxes for 2017 (or haven’t received a tax return), click “Begin without a valid FSA ID or password” on the left side of the page. Once you click on the link, you will be directed to a new page where you will be required to provide your basic personal details before proceeding to fill out the application form.

Fill out CSS Profile online.

The CSS Profile can be completed in one sitting with the FAFSA on the same day–and even simultaneously! This makes filling out both forms easy and efficient for students who wish for simplicity during their college application process.

The CSS Profile is a supplemental application used by some colleges and universities. It’s optional at all schools, but if you’re applying for need-based aid, your school will likely require you to complete this form. The CSS Profile can be completed in one sitting with the FAFSA on the same day–and even simultaneously!

This makes filling out both forms easy and efficient for students who wish for simplicity during their college application process. The CSS Profile is a supplemental application used by some colleges and universities. It’s optional at all schools, but if you’re applying for need-based aid, your school will likely require you to complete this form.

Sign and submit both forms online.

Sign and submit both forms online.
Sign with a digital signature.
Submit both forms to the correct school. Ensure you’re using the right address for each state: use the school’s address for FAFSA and CSS Profile, not your own or one from another institution (unless it’s your home address). Also, make sure that you submit both forms separately; raising them together will cause a delay in processing at least one of them! It’s best to offer each state as soon as possible after filling out each section so that any mistakes can be corrected before it reaches its final destination in Washington D.C., but if there isn’t time for this, contact our office immediately so we can assist with getting things fixed up quickly!

The financial aid office will get back to you with information about your eligibility for financial aid through an award letter. The letter will tell you how much money, if any, you will receive from each funding source.

You must fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile every year to apply for college financial aid.

You must fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile every year to apply for college financial aid. It’s the same form as the CSS Profile, but it’s available online at FAFSA.gov and takes less time to complete than its paper counterpart.

You can start filling out your forms as soon as January 1 (or earlier), but don’t wait until then! You’ll need all of your tax information from 2015 when applying for aid during this cycle–and if it takes you a few days after New Year’s Day to get everything together, then that could delay getting any funds that could help pay off those loans or cover other expenses later on down the road (like textbooks).

Conclusion

There are a few ways to fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile. You can do it online, by mail, or at your local college or university financial aid office. If you need help with the forms, don’t worry–there are plenty of resources available to help.