The CSS Profile costs $25, then $16 per extra college
The CSS Profile is a financial aid form that many private colleges use. The College Board charges $25 to file it and send it to your first college. Each extra college costs $16. It is free for US undergraduate students whose family income is up to $100,000.
CSS Profile fees
| Application plus first college | $25 |
|---|---|
| Each extra college | $16 |
| US undergrads with family income up to $100,000 | Free (fee waiver) |
| How you pay | Credit or debit card |
| 3 colleges | $57 |
|---|---|
| 6 colleges | $105 |
| 10 colleges | $169 |
The CSS Profile is separate from the FAFSA, which is always free. Sources: College Board, CSS Profile: Complete the Application; College Board, What is the cost of the CSS Profile.
What this price covers
The fee pays the College Board to process your form and send it to each college. It is not a college application fee. Colleges charge their own application fees on top.
What changes your price
- How many colleges. Each college after the first adds $16.
- Family income. Up to $100,000 means the form is free for US undergraduates.
Ways to pay less
- Only send the CSS Profile to colleges that ask for it.
- Fill in family income carefully so the fee waiver can apply.
- You can add more colleges later from your dashboard, so you do not need to pay for all of them on day one.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the group that runs the test or sets the fee, taken from its own website. Where we show a total, we only add up that group's own fees so you can see the full amount in one place. We do not add our own guesses, and we do not use prices from test prep blogs. Fees can change, so check the official page before you pay. We last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much does the CSS Profile cost?
$25 for the first college and $16 for each extra college.
Is the CSS Profile free?
It is free for US undergraduates whose family income is $100,000 or less.
Is the CSS Profile the same as the FAFSA?
No. The FAFSA is a free federal form. The CSS Profile is a College Board form.