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CSS Profile Deadline 2027–28: Dates by College, Fees and Waivers

By Claire Whitaker Last updated How we check facts Use is subject to the terms: check each date with the school

In short

The 2027–28 CSS Profile opened on . There is no single deadline: each college sets its own. For regular decision at the colleges below, it is February 1 to February 15, 2027. It costs US$25 for the first college and US$16 for each other one, and many families file free.

Regular decision aid deadlines at 10 colleges

CollegeRegular decision aid deadline
Harvard University
Yale University
Princeton University
Stanford University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
Duke University
Northwestern University

Early applicants have earlier aid deadlines, usually in November. Some colleges list the deadline on the admissions site, and some on the financial aid site. The sources at the end show which page we used.

Fees and fee waivers

First collegeUS$25
Each other collegeUS$16
Free forFree for U.S. undergraduates with family AGI up to $100,000, SAT fee waiver recipients, and orphans or wards of the court under 24.

How to meet the deadline

  1. List the colleges that need it.
    Check each college's financial aid site. Not every college uses the CSS Profile.
  2. Write down the earliest date.
    Use each college's date for your application round.
  3. Gather the documents.
    Tax returns, income, savings and investments. Some colleges also ask for a noncustodial parent's profile.
  4. Submit the FAFSA too.
    See FAFSA deadlines.
  5. Check for document requests.
    Some colleges use IDOC to collect tax documents after you submit.

Questions families ask

Is there one CSS Profile deadline?

No. Each college that uses the CSS Profile sets its own deadline. For regular decision at the 10 colleges on this page, the dates are February 1 to February 15, 2027.

When did the 2027–28 CSS Profile open?

October 1, 2026.

How much does the CSS Profile cost?

US$25 for the first college and US$16 for each other college. Many families can file for free.

Do I need the CSS Profile and the FAFSA?

At many private colleges, yes. The FAFSA is for federal and most state aid. The CSS Profile is for the college's own aid. Each college says which forms it needs.

Sources

Colleges and agencies can change a date. Always check the official page before you submit.