calculating college costs: plan for FAFSA & CSS Profile

Dane Copeland
Sep 6
3 min read

Attending college is expensive, even if your family has built a nest egg or has a 529 account. Becoming familiar with "College Financial Aid" terminology, understanding the types of aid available, and utilizing tools like the Federal Student Aid Estimator can make estimating college costs easier and clarify whether you qualify for need-based financial aid, which differs from merit aid. It will also help you prepare and gather the relevant information and documents to complete the FAFSA form, slated to open on October 1st, and determine if you need to complete a CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile), which some schools require. *Note- this year, FAFSA has a beta option where students/families can test out the form early. You can learn more here.

If you're beginning to explore colleges or a senior waiting until FAFSA officially opens, utilizing tools like the Net Price Calculator (located on each college's website) can help you understand what it could cost to attend college. Finding answers to your financial need questions can be especially critical if you are considering whether an Early Decision (binding) application pathway is viable and the right plan for you.

If you are applying or have a student applying Early Action or Early Decision to a school that participates in or requires the CSS Profile, you will want to know the submission deadlines for each school to which you're applying. The deadlines for submitting forms are located on the school's website. Unlike FAFSA, which is free, the CSS Profile has fees. Additionally, you will want to know the deadlines for completing the FAFSA® Application Deadlines for your state, which can be found here.

If you are a student applying or returning to college, the information below will help you get started completing your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile.

o What is the difference between need-based and merit aid, and will I qualify for financial aid – either need-based or merit aid?

o What is the Student Aid Index (SAI)?

o What is the difference between FAFSA and CSS?

o How do I fill out the FAFSA form?

o Does your state require you to complete the FAFSA?

o FAFSA Application Deadlines

From the Federal Student Aid Website:

“How To Prepare for the 2026–27 FAFSA® Form

Prepare now so you can complete the 2026–27 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available. Here are some ways you can get ready:

1. Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).

2. Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.

3. Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.

4. If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.”

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Know someone starting their college journey? Feel free to share or connect us at dane@collegeu.solutions