How To Answer Student Income Questions For CSS Profile®
Here's how to correctly enter information about your income as the student for the CSS Profile®.
Student Income Information
Similar to the FAFSA, the CSS Profile asks about student income. 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 income in this section, not parent income.
How To Answer These Questions
Just like in the parent income section, you'll enter your income information directly from your tax return (if you had to complete a tax return). If you didn't have to complete a tax return, you'll report the information here.
Since many students are non-filers, this is what the non-filer flow looks like:
Tax Return Status
Select the box that reflects whether you Completed a tax return, Will File a Tax Return, or Not Filed and Not Required To.
How Much Income Earned From Work?
Enter the amount of income earned from work. This is usually reported on Form W-2, but also could be reported on Form 1099-NEC, or if self employed, Schedule C. If the amount is $0, enter $0.
Interest Income
Enter any interest income earned. This is typically found on 1099-INT. If the amount is $0, enter $0.
Taxable Financial Aid
Report any taxable scholarships and financial aid the student received in 2024. This could also include earnings from work-study, AmeriCorps benefits, or taxable portions of grants and scholarships. If the amount is $0, enter $0.
Untaxed Portion Of Social Security Benefits
Report any untaxed benefits received in 2024 by the student (not the parent). This would usually be the Social Security Survivor Benefit.
Other Untaxed Income
Report any other untaxed income.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required. If any amount is $0, enter $0.
Student Expected Earnings
Like the Parent portion of the CSS Profile, the Student section also wants to know about Student Expected Income. This is very different from the FAFSA, in that you need to estimate what you expect to earn in 2025.
How To Answer These Questions
Be realistic about what you expect to earn over your senior year and the summer before college. But it doesn't hurt to be conservative.
Student Expected Earnings - Summer 2026
Enter your expected earnings during the three month period before school starts next year (June, July, August).
Student Expected Earnings - School Year 2026-27
Enter the amount you expect to earn in the nine month school year (September to May). Do not income work-study earnings from financial aid.
Other Tax Income - Summer 2026
Here's where you enter any taxable earnings from the three months of summer. This includes dividends, interest, capital gains, business income, farm income, etc.
Other Taxed Income - School Year 2026-27
Enter any taxable earnings that aren't work related for the nine month academic year. This includes dividends, interest, capital gains, business income, farm income, etc.
Non-Taxed Income And Benefits - Summer 2026
Estimate any non-taxed income and benefits you'll receive during the three months of summer before school starts. This could include: untaxed Social Security benefits, TANF, child support received, untaxed IRA/pension payments, tax credits, tax deductions, living allowances, and worker's compensation.
Non-Taxed Income And Benefits - School Year 2026-27
Estimate any non-taxed income and benefits you'll receive during the nine months of the academic year. This could include: untaxed Social Security benefits, TANF, child support received, untaxed IRA/pension payments, tax credits, tax deductions, living allowances, and worker's compensation.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required. If any amount is $0, enter $0.
Student Expected Resources
These questions focus on whether the student is expecting to receive any types of financial assistance or aid from various sources.
How To Answer These Questions
Be realistic about what you expect to receive from each source. It doesn't hurt to be conservative.
How Much Do You Expect To Receive From Your Parents To Pay Expenses For The 2026-27 Academic Year
Provide the best estimate for what the students will pay for the full cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board, transportation, and personal expenses).
DO NOT INCLUDE AMOUNTS THEY PLAN TO BORROW VIA STUDENT LOANS OR OTHER DEBT. Only include what you're paying from income and assets.
How much do you expect to receive in scholarships/grants from sources other than the college to which you're applying?
Provide an estimate of private or local grants, scholarships, and other gifts that the student may be receiving for the 2026-27 academic year. Include AmeriCorps benefits.
Only include amounts that are guaranteed to be awarded. List the sources in the Special Circumstances section at the end of the application.
DO NOT INCLUDE PELL GRANTS OR STATE GRANTS.
How much do you expect to receive from employers (including your parents' employers) such as tuition reimbursement benefits?
This is where you provide employer tuition assistance programs. If these benefits are limited to certain schools, explain in the Special Circumstances at the end.
How much do you expect to receive from relatives other than your parents?
Estimate how much money you will receive from relatives that are not your parents to help pay for college. A common example is grandparents.
Can I Skip These Questions?
No, they are required. If any amount is $0, enter $0.
2026-27 CSS Profile Questions Step-By-Step
Find answers to the other CSS Profile questions here:
General Information
Parent Income Information
Household Information
Parent Expenses And Assets
Student Financial Information
Special Circumstances
CSS Profile® is a registered mark of College Board.