Answer four questions to see which forms you need — and what the CSS Profile counts that the FAFSA ignores.
FAFSA or CSS Profile? Everyone files the FAFSA — it's free, federal, and required for federal aid. The CSS Profile (run by College Board, with a fee) is required only by a subset of mostly private colleges for their own aid. It digs deeper, counting home equity, business/farm assets, and the non-custodial parent's income — things the FAFSA ignores.
That's why the same family can get very different aid from two schools using different forms.
| FAFSA | CSS Profile | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | U.S. Dept. of Education | College Board |
| Cost | Always free | Fee (waivers available) |
| Used for | Federal aid (all schools) | Institutional aid (some, mostly private) |
| Primary-home equity | Not counted | Commonly counted |
| Non-custodial parent | Not required | Often required |
| Business / farm assets | Limited | Commonly counted |
Exact treatment varies by school — some CSS Profile colleges cap or exclude home equity, for example. Always check each school's specific policy.
Methodology: This decoder applies the well-established structural differences between the two forms. It does not estimate a dollar amount, since each CSS Profile school applies its own institutional formula. Always confirm form requirements and deadlines on each school's financial aid page.