Applying to college is an exercise in paperwork: recommendations, essays, the application itself, and the FAFSA — the form that determines whether your student is eligible for federal financial aid.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile are the most common financial ...

The CSS Profile is a financial aid application for school-based aid like scholarships and grants. You’ll still need to complete the FAFSA to qualify for federal and state financial aid. Unlike the ...