Ol' College Try

CSS Profile vs FAFSA: What Parents Need to Know About College Financial Aid


Listen Later

Applying for college financial aid doesn’t stop with the FAFSA. For hundreds of schools—including Ivy League institutions, selective private colleges, and top public universities—families must also complete the CSS Profile. In this episode of College! Matt Carpenter and Peg Keough break down this complex and often intimidating form.

You’ll learn:

  • What the CSS Profile is and how it differs from the FAFSA.

  • Who needs to complete it—including key rules for divorced and separated parents.

  • How to navigate common challenges, from non-custodial parent requirements to non-custodial waivers.

  • What colleges are really looking for when they dig into your tax returns and business write-offs.

  • Deadlines and timing strategies to avoid costly mistakes.

  • Tips to reduce stress, avoid self-inflicted errors, and maximize aid eligibility.

Whether you’re applying to competitive private universities or “Public Ivies” like UNC Chapel Hill and Michigan, this episode is packed with strategies to help your family put its best foot forward in the financial aid process.


🎧 Subscribe and share with families navigating college planning!Connect with Us! Website: ⁠⁠https://collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Create a FREE MyCAP Account: ⁠⁠https://mycap.collegeaidpro.com/⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/collegeaidpro/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/capcollegepod/⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-aid-pro/ ⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Ol' College TryBy Matt and Peg's College Planning Podcast

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

8 ratings


More shows like Ol' College Try

View all
Getting In: A College Coach Conversation by Bright Horizons College Coach

Getting In: A College Coach Conversation

280 Listeners

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions by Ethan Sawyer

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

225 Listeners

BiggerPockets Money Podcast by BiggerPockets

BiggerPockets Money Podcast

3,082 Listeners

Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews by Mark Stucker

Your College Bound Kid | Admission Tips, Admission Trends & Admission Interviews

364 Listeners

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed by Jeff Selingo, Michael Horn

Future U Podcast - The Pulse of Higher Ed

138 Listeners

Frequent Miler on the Air by Frequent Miler

Frequent Miler on the Air

638 Listeners

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel! by Shawn Coomer & Mark Ostermann

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

339 Listeners

Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers by InGenius Prep

Inside the Admissions Office: Advice from Former Admissions Officers

112 Listeners

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life by Chris Hutchins

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

1,619 Listeners

Admissions Beat by Lee Coffin • Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid at Dartmouth College

Admissions Beat

97 Listeners

The College Admissions Process Podcast by John Durante

The College Admissions Process Podcast

123 Listeners

Point Me To First Class by Devon Gimbel MD

Point Me To First Class

1,187 Listeners

The Truth about College Admission by Johns Hopkins Press

The Truth about College Admission

28 Listeners

Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel by Thomas Caleel

Admittedly: College Admissions with Thomas Caleel

25 Listeners

The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions by Great Minds Advising

The Game: A Guide to Elite College Admissions

65 Listeners