CSS Profile for International Students
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Every year CSS Profile gives more than 10 billion US Dollars to thousands of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. CSS Profile creation and application are submitted usually by domestic students in the USA, but there are a few universities that also require international students to submit their financial information through this application. The CSS Profile is administered officially by the College Board, which is also responsible for conducting the standardised SAT exam globally.
In this article, we will inform you about all the information needed to complete your CSS Profile application starting Oct.1, 2023. We will also inform you how to apply for CSS Profile and the list of schools and scholarships accepting it.
What is a CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile or College Scholarship Service Profile is an online application maintained by the College Board which collects information used by almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal financial aid.
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CSS Profile for International Students
Many colleges provide institutional financial aid to international students as well. Colleges require candidates' details to give financial aid to students. Candidates need to submit their financial details to the colleges in the context of their local economy. Candidates need to submit information about their family's total income, expenses, and assets. Students will be able to submit all the information in their home currency; the College Board will do the currency conversion themselves.
Note: The software service platform is located in the United States, so, all your information is transferred to the United States. In case, you do not want to give the information, then you need to notify the colleges requesting your application.
When to complete the CSS Profile?
Candidates may complete the profile before Oct.1, 2020. They should submit the profile no later than two weeks before the earliest profile filling date specified by their colleges.
Who must complete the CSS Profile?
Candidates should check with their college, whether they require the CSS Profile. The list of participating colleges can be found on the CSS Profile homepage.
Benefits of CSS Profile
Some of the key benefits of creating a CSS Profile as an international student are as follows:
- CSS Profile is a one-time financial submission for students and parents, no individual university or college can request more details.
- CSS helps families of students give a holistic picture of their income background which helps universities understand how much funding the applicant requires to study.
- Though there is an application fee of USD 25 to create a CSS Profile, around 40% of the students qualify for a fee waiver too.
- CSS is shared with only those institutions where the applicant has applied and the data is not shared with others, thus, the information is confidential.
- Finally, there is no need to submit the application in one sitting. The applicant can save the application from time to time and submit when fully ready.
Cost of CSS Profile
The fee for the initial application is $25. The cost of additional reports is $16. Payment can be made through Credit or Debit card. First-time domestic college applicants may receive CSS Profile fee waivers if the student qualified for an SAT fee waiver, or if the student is an orphan or under the age of 24 based on parental income and family size. A family of four would qualify with an income of $45,000 or less.
Candidates can add a college at any time. They just need to sign in to their CSS Profile and click on 'Add a college or program' on their dashboard. They need to pay $16 for every college they add. Any unused fee waivers will be automatically applied to their charges.
Also Read
- When to start thinking about Finances to Study Abroad
- Types of scholarships available for Study Abroad aspirants
- Financial Documents Required for Study Abroad Applications
How to complete the CSS Profile?
Candidates should submit the CSS Profile at cssprofile.org. Once, the candidate signs in, they will find a list of documents like federal tax returns and other financial information that they will need to complete the application. In case of any difficulty, candidates can seek help within the application and they can seek additional help through phone, email, or chat by clicking 'Contact us' in the application.
Colleges Offering Financial Aid through CSS Profile
Candidates can check the list of colleges, universities, and scholarship programs here that use CSS Profile in order to give financial aid to international students. There are around 130 US universities and colleges that require international students to submit their CSS Profiles. Some of the popular US universities and colleges are as follows:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Stanford University
- Rice University
- Northwestern University
- New York University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Brown University
- CalTech
- Case Western Reserve University (CWRU)
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Whitman College
- Yale College
- Harvard College
- Mount Holyoke College
CSS Profile Application Process
Following is the application process of creating and submitting a CSS Profile through the College Board website for international students:
- Step 1: Candidates can sign in using their College Board's username and password, or they can create a new account. In case they have created an account to view their PSAT or AP scores, or they have created an account for the SAT exam, then they should use the same username and password for their CSS Profile application.
- Step 2: Fill details: Give all your details as asked by the system, It will build your profile according to your family's situation based on your answers. Candidates need not give complete details in one sitting; you can save the application details and return again to complete it.
- Step 3: Submit the application: Once you finished giving all the details, you need to submit the details and they will be sent to the selected colleges.
- Step 4: Review your details: Once the candidates submit their application, the dashboard will include the payment receipt and the next steps like submitting documents to the Institutional Documentation Services (IDOC).
CSS Profile vs. FAFSA
Usually, the FAFSA categorizes financial gifts received from family members as assets when they are used to pay for college, while the CSS Profile considers them as income. The CSS Profile considers elementary school tuition, upcoming medical expenses, and other household expenses while calculating financial aid.
Read more on scholarships
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
Q: Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
Q: Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?
The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.
Q: How much is the application fee for Alabama University?
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
Q: Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: What is Northwest Missouri acceptance rate?
The Northwest Missouri acceptance rate for international students is around 80%. This shows that the university follows a moderate selection criteria when it comes to admission. However, the moderate selection criteria does not imply that the university accepts every application. International students must showcase their excellent academic performance, score high GPA, submit standardized test scores and English language proficiency test scores. In addition, if a student has a history of participation in relevant extracurricular or experience, their selection probability increases by 50%.
Q: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
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