CSS Profile phone number format error - can't submit application

omg yes!!!! i had the same stupid problem last week. try putting the country code first like +1-555-123-4567 or just 1-555-123-4567. for some reason they changed it this year and now want the country code but dont tell u that ANYWHERE. so annoying

The CSS Profile updated their phone number format requirements for the 2025-2026 application cycle. You now need to include the country code (1 for US numbers) before your phone number. The correct format should be 15551234567 or 1-555-123-4567. This is part of their system modernization to better accommodate international students applying to US institutions. The College Board published this change in their technical documentation but unfortunately didn't make it obvious in the application interface itself.

I had to call the College Board CSS Profile support line about this exact issue last month. Spent 45 minutes on hold only to get a 30-second explanation about the country code requirement. The whole financial aid process is DELIBERATELY COMPLICATED to discourage people from applying. First the FAFSA gets completely overhauled with the new SAI formula and confusing contributor questions, and now even the CSS Profile makes simple things difficult. They don't want us to get aid!!!!

If you're having trouble reaching CSS Profile support, I'd recommend trying Claimyr to get through to them faster. I used it last month when I needed to speak with a Federal Student Aid agent about my FAFSA verification issues and it saved me hours of waiting. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. The CSS Profile support uses the same call system as FSA, so it works for both. It's way better than spending your entire afternoon on hold like I did before discovering this.

i had the same problem and ended up just abandoning the application and starting over lol. wasted 2 hours but the second time i used the country code format and it worked. css profile is so much more annoying than fafsa tbh. my parents hate filling it out every year.

For anyone else finding this thread: The CSS Profile phone format issue appears to be widespread this year. Required format is the country code followed by the 10-digit number (1XXXXXXXXXX). If you're completing both FAFSA and CSS Profile, remember they serve different purposes: - FAFSA: Required for all federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans) and uses the SAI formula - CSS Profile: Required by ~400 private institutions for institutional aid and scholarships Though frustrating, completing both can significantly increase your student's total aid package, as many private schools offer substantial need-based and merit aid based on CSS data that wouldn't be captured by FAFSA alone.

I ran into this exact same issue yesterday! After trying every format imaginable, I finally got it to work by using 1-555-123-4567 (with the country code and dashes). It's so frustrating that they don't clearly indicate this requirement anywhere on the form. I spent almost an hour stuck on that screen before finding a solution online. Really hope College Board improves their user interface because this seems to be tripping up a lot of families this year.

This exact same thing happened to me two weeks ago! I was getting so frustrated because I tried every format I could think of and nothing worked. Finally discovered through trial and error that you need to use +15551234567 (plus sign, country code 1, then the 10-digit number with no spaces or dashes). It's ridiculous that they don't provide any format examples or help text on that field. I almost gave up on the whole application! Really glad to see this thread because it confirms I wasn't the only one struggling with this poorly designed interface.

This phone number format issue is driving me crazy too! I'm helping my nephew with his CSS Profile and we've been stuck on this exact same screen for the past hour. Based on all the suggestions here, it sounds like there are multiple formats that work - I'm going to try the +1 version first since that seems to be working for most people. It's honestly ridiculous that College Board made this change without any clear documentation or examples on the actual form. They really need to add some basic helper text showing acceptable formats. Thanks everyone for sharing your solutions - this thread is way more helpful than anything on the official CSS Profile help pages!

Just wanted to add my experience to this thread since I ran into the exact same issue last night! After reading through all these comments, I tried the +15551234567 format and it worked perfectly. It's absolutely ridiculous that College Board doesn't provide any format guidance on the actual form - I wasted 30 minutes trying different combinations before finding this thread. For anyone else struggling with this: the key is including the country code (1 for US numbers) with either a plus sign at the beginning or just starting with 1. Really appreciate everyone sharing their solutions here because the official CSS Profile help is completely useless for this problem!