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I am in the process of filling out the CSS Profile on behalf of my son, a high school senior. He is applying early action (non-binding) at one school with a deadline of November 1st, and that school wants the CSS Profile by November 1st. He is also applying to 6 other schools with financial aid deadlines of Feb. 1st or Feb. 15. The CSS Profile appears to be set up on the assumption that you apply once and they do a profile. Updates to submitted information appear to be via some type of paper form sent to the colleges. My question is: should I submit the Profile to all 7 colleges prior to November 1st? Or should I submit to the early action school now, and the additional colleges in January? I am concerned that by submitting to all colleges now I am essentially revealing to all six of the other colleges that my son is applying early action or early decision elsewhere. This seems undesirable. In addition, the information and estimates I do for 2003 now will obviously not be as accurate as estimates I do in January. However, the CSS Profile does not appear to provide an easy electronic way to update the information in January to send to the other colleges. I have submitted this question directly to CSS, but I would like some independent advice.

By Tiger2004 (Tiger2004) on Monday, October 06, 2003 - 11:00 pm: Edit

I have same question. Does anyone have answer?

By Emeraldkity4 (Emeraldkity4) on Tuesday, October 07, 2003 - 05:20 pm: Edit

No you cannot update PROFILE information like you can update FAFSA.
HOwever, you may send documented changes to your schools FA office and they will take it into consideration

By Jamimom (Jamimom) on Wednesday, October 08, 2003 - 12:58 pm: Edit

In general, it is better to send the info as early as possible. I always did and my kids did not apply ED ever. It never even occurred to me that is was an issue. Everyone I know in the field tells me it is better to apply early, always apply early for the money.