The EFC is something that is generated by FAFSA for purposes of determining whether you qualify for federal aid known as a PELL GRANT.
The Collegeboard CSS Profile is not the same thing and the FAFSA input data that you used is not something that passed back and forth between the Federal application for financial aid and the Collegeboard CSS profile which is something used to determine institution-based aid. Nevertheless, your financial aid will be determined by considering the FAFSA profile and the EFC that was generated by your data.
The maximum Federal grant aid is like $6345, so if Smith College costs $75,000 (2021-2022 Guessimate), then Smith has to determine how much of the difference to grant you or make you take out loans or work-study. So for argument's sake if you have to take a work-study job let say that's $3655 for the year and say you qualify for the max. PELL grant ($6345+$3655) =$10,000. Smith has to figure out how much of the remaining $65,000 to award you.
That is why they are asking you a frank and honest question, not from a PELL GRANT perspective but from the lens of Smith Colleges Finaid office who have to determine a fair and equitable financial aid award to you. To answer this question, you will have to have a conversation with your parents and relatives and find out if they are willing to help you pay for your education and what amount they are going to contribute. I think that is a fair question for the college to ask of all its applicants.
No one here on College Vine, nor its members knows anything about your families' unique financial situation, how much money your parents earn, what their assets are including their home, bank accounts, investments, ownership of business or farms, etc.
So once you involve your family and relative and get an answer, you will have to write down that figure and submit that to Smith College to fulfill their Financial Aid application requirements.
Good luck.
FAQs
You are not required to answer every question on the CSS profile. Only answer what is required and what will benefit your personal situation.
Is the CSS Profile hard to fill out? ›
The CSS Profile is an extremely in-depth form that generally requires more time and effort than the FAFSA. For this financial aid profile, students must fill out information about their biological/adoptive parents, stepparents/parents' partners, and/or legal guardian(s).
How to correct CSS Profile after submitting? ›
Made a Mistake? Don't worry! If you made a mistake on your application or need to include additional information after you submit, you can update your application by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile” on your Dashboard. Corrections are available by late November each year.
How to write an answer in CSS exam? ›
Be Concise Yet Comprehensive: Strive to be concise in your answers while still providing sufficient detail to fully address the question. Avoid unnecessary repetition or overly lengthy explanations. Aim for clarity and precision in your writing to make your points effectively.
How do I maximize my CSS Profile for financial aid? ›
The CSS Profile is more thorough than the FAFSA, but there are certain steps applicants can take to maximize their aid eligibility: Don't overestimate the value of your primary home. By keeping the value of your home in line with actual values, your expected family contribution also stays down.
What happens if one parent refuses to complete CSS Profile? ›
A CSS Profile Waiver Request for the Noncustodial Parent is available to provide to colleges. Each college will look at your waiver request and determine if they will waive this requirement.
Does CSS Profile check bank statements? ›
You will need your (and if applicable, your parent(s)) most recently completed Federal Tax returns (and all schedules), W-2 forms and other records of current year income, records of untaxed income and benefits, assets, and bank statements.
How much do colleges expect parents to contribute? ›
The FAFSA formula doesn't expect students or families to use all of their adjusted available income to pay for college. The formula allocates 50 percent of a dependent student's adjusted available income to cover college expenses and anywhere from 22 to 47 percent of parents' available income.
What is the hardest thing to do in CSS? ›
- Positioning , Centering.
- Siblings.
- Combinators.
- em vs rem vs px.
- CSS rule / writing order.
The CSS Profile is different from the FAFSA. The CSS Profile allows institutions to ask financial questions not on the FAFSA and to customize the questions. It is more detailed, so it may take more time to complete, but it can also result in additional financial aid.
Also keep in mind that some colleges require FAFSA/CSS file freshmen year in order to give aid in future year; if you have no need now, but may have need later on, some colleges will not give aid later on without FAFSA/CSS on hand from freshman year.
How many times can I correct my CSS Profile? ›
Students are only able to submit one correction per academic year. If you have already submitted a correction and find an additional error, you will need to reach out to your institution(s) directly.
Is a CSS Profile worth it? ›
Completing the CSS Profile is important because it has the potential to save you money on college education costs. Some students may receive scholarships or lower-priced tuition based on the financial or other information they include in their profiles.
Does CSS Profile affect admission? ›
Highly selective institutions, which often have rigorous admissions standards, are more likely to require the CSS Profile. These schools tend to offer generous financial aid programs to ensure that admitted students can attend regardless of their financial circ*mstances.
What happens if I don't fill out my CSS Profile? ›
What happens if you don't fill out CSS Profile? Some colleges may require you to submit the CSS profile. If you don't submit it, the institution that requires it may not consider you for its non-federal aid awards.
Does the CSS Profile have to be completely accurate? ›
The CSS Profile is a comprehensive financial aid application required by many colleges and universities. It delves deeper into a family's financial situation compared to the FAFSA. Completing the CSS Profile accurately is crucial for maximizing financial aid opportunities.
Do colleges look at CSS Profile? ›
Understanding the CSS Profile
While the FAFSA is required for federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans, the CSS Profile is used by many private colleges and universities, as well as some public institutions, to determine eligibility for their institutional aid programs.
