How To Answer Parent Relationship Questions For CSS Profile®

Who Are Your Parents?

The CSS Profile does things slightly different than the FAFSA in that you need to report both your parents, regardless of marital status. With the FAFSA, you provide both parents information if their married or living together, but if they're divorced, it only wants the information of the parent who provided 51% of the financial support.

The CSS Profile, on the other hand, wants all your parents information regardless.

If you parents have been remarried and you have step parents, you may need to input the information of up to four parents (your biological parents and their respective spouses). 

How To Answer These Questions

• "Add A Parent" for each parent you're responding for.

Can I Skip These Questions?

No, they are required.

Parent Information

Once you "Add A Parent", it will ask for their personal information and relationship to you (the child going to college).

How To Answer These Questions

• Enter your parent's first and last name.
• Enter your parent's relationship to you.

Can I Skip These Questions?

No, they are required.

Verification If You Only Select One Parent

If you only select one parent, the CSS Profile will ask for verification if you don't or cannot provide the other parent's information.

How To Answer These Questions

• Select the reason why you're only entering one parent's information: parent is deceased, single parent who adopted you, single parent of a donor conceived child, parent is unknown, parent is incarcerated, legal orders preventing contact with the non-custodial parent, or student has no contact with the parent.

Can I Skip These Questions?

Yes, if you enter information for two or more parents.