You’re planning for college. You’ve mapped tuition, and maybe you’ve started a savings plan. But the real game changers in funding? FAFSA and CSS Profile.
At Kehoe Financial Advisors, we guide families through these forms—so you get the aid you deserve.
Here’s what they are, how they differ, and why they matter to your budget and your future.
What FAFSA Does
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
It unlocks:
Federal grants (like Pell)
Federal loans (subsidized, unsubsidized)
Work‑study
Many state and some college aid packages
Filing FAFSA generates your Expected Family Contribution, now called the Student Aid Index (SAI). Colleges use the SAI to build your net cost offer.
Most U.S. institutions require FAFSA if you want any federal or state funding.
What CSS Profile Does
CSS Profile is a separate form—managed by the College Board.
Roughly 300 private colleges use it to award institutional aid beyond what FAFSA covers.
CSS digs deeper into your finances:
Home equity
Retirement accounts
Business ownership
Medical expenses
Sibling tuition
It takes more time, demands a fee (though fee waivers exist), and reveals more details—but it can unlock far more non‑federal aid.
Why Both Matter
✅ You need FAFSA just to qualify for federal grants and loans.
✅ Merit scholarships often require FAFSA.
✅ CSS Profile adds aid from colleges—especially at private universities with big endowments.
✅ You may qualify for more aid than you expect, once your full financial picture is evaluated.
Filing both forms expands your access—not just to loans, but to actual free money.
What You’ll Need
Get your documents together in advance:
Tax returns (two years prior)
W‑2s, income records
Bank account and investment statements
Business or farm info (if applicable)
Non‑taxed income details
Special expenses (medical, tuition for siblings)
We help families gather, interpret, and submit each field correctly—for both FAFSA and CSS.
Timing Is Critical
FAFSA opens Oct 1 annually.
CSS Profile opens Oct 1, but deadlines differ by school.
Filing early improves your aid odds and gives time to compare offers, appeal where needed, and plan out‑of‑pocket costs.
What Happens Next?
FAFSA returns a Student Aid Report (SAR).
CSS Profile reports to each participating college.
You receive award letters with combined federal, state, and institutional aid.
We help you:
Decode award letters
Compare net cost across colleges
Appeal for more aid
Make confident enrollment and funding decisions
How Kehoe Financial Advisors Helps
We don’t just help submit forms. We:
Organize your financial info
Predict how forms will impact your aid package
Model out‑of‑pocket versus loan options
Optimize timing of financial moves (like gifts, sale of assets)
Coordinate with school financial aid offices
Our role is to guide your family to clarity—not confusion—so your student can attend with confidence.
Your Next Step
📞 Call (513) 481‑8555 to schedule a FAFSA/CSS strategy session.
🖥️ Visitwww.kehoe‑financial.com to learn more.
FAFSA and CSS Profile aren’t just forms—they’re tools for opportunity.
Secure your child’s future today.
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