How To Answer Student Asset Questions For CSS Profile®

Student Asset Information

Similar to the FAFSA, the CSS Profile asks about student assets. If you (the student) is married, you'll also have to provide income information about your psouse.

It's important that you only report student assets in this section, not parent assets. 

529 Plans: Any 529 plans (and prepaid tuition plans) where the student is the beneficiary and they are owned by a parent is considered a parent asset. Grandparent-owned 529 plans are not reported on the CSS Profile.

UGMA/UTMA Accounts: UGMA/UTMA accounts where the child is the owner and the parent (or anyone else) is the custodian is considered a student asset.

How To Answer These Questions

When reporting assets, you report the fair market value of the asset as of the day you file your CSS profile. 

Does the student have any of the following assets?

Select the box that reflects whether you have Investments or A Trust.

How much does the student have in cash, savings, checking, and deposit accounts.

Enter the value of the money in the student's checking and savings accounts. 

What is the current value of the Student's investments?

Enter the value of the student's investments (non-retirement accounts). This includes: stocks, ETFs, mutual funds in a taxable brokerage, UGMA/UTMA accounts, non-retirement annuities, and more.

What is the current value of all trusts a Student is the beneficiary of?

Add up the value of all trusts that the student is a beneficiary of, even if the trust money isn't available to access. If the student is a percentage beneficiary of a trust, only report the value of their percentage.

Is any of the income or part of the principal of the trust currently available to the student?

Answer "Yes" if the student has access to the trust funds.

Who established the trust?

Select Parents or Other.

What type of trust is this?

Select: Irrevocable, Revocable, Educational, Testamentary, or Other. 

Does the student own any retirement assets?

Choose "Yes" or"No". Example retirement assets include IRAs, 401k, 403b, or other retirement accounts.

Current value of retirement assets?

Enter the current value of the student's retirement assets.

Can I Skip These Questions?

No, they are required. If any amount is $0, enter $0.