Need to correct income info on submitted CSS Profile - is it possible?

The same thing happened to my daughter last year. You can't edit the CSS Profile once it's submitted, but you can log into your account and SUBMIT A COMPLETELY NEW APPLICATION. You'll have to pay the fee again tho.

Ugh, that's frustrating about having to pay again. Do you know if colleges will automatically use the newer application or do I need to contact them to make sure they look at the corrected one?

You actually have two options:\n\n1) Submit a brand new CSS Profile with the correct information (yes, unfortunately paying another fee)\n\n2) Contact each school's financial aid office directly to explain the error\n\nOption #2 is usually better because most financial aid offices are understanding about these mistakes, especially when they're caught quickly. They can make notes in your file and use the correct income information when determining your aid package. Just email each school with your student's name, CSS ID number, and a clear explanation of the incorrect information and the correct figures.\n\nI'd recommend doing this ASAP since incorrect income reporting can significantly impact your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Student Aid Index (SAI) calculations.

Thank you so much for these options! I think I'll go with #2 and contact each school directly. My son only applied to 4 schools through CSS so far, so it won't be too overwhelming. Do you recommend calling or emailing the financial aid offices?

The College Board (who runs CSS Profile) has an official correction process for exactly this situation. You don't necessarily need to submit and pay for an entirely new application. \n\nCall CSS Profile customer service at 844-202-0524 and explain your situation. They can guide you through making corrections. In some cases, they may still require a new submission with the updated information, but it's worth checking first.\n\nAlso, most importantly, document everything! Keep records of when you called, who you spoke with, and what they advised. This will be important if there are any questions later.

i tried calling that CSS number for a different issue last month and was on hold for 2.5 HOURS before i gave up lol. good luck getting thru to anyone there

This is EXACTLY why I used Claimyr to reach them! When I needed to fix a CSS Profile error before the early decision deadline, I used claimyr.com and it worked great. They basically hold your place in line and call you back when they reach a human. Saved me HOURS of waiting on hold. There's a video demo of how it works here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ\n\nHonestly, during application season, it's pretty much impossible to get through to CSS Profile support without something like this. I was skeptical at first but it was totally worth it for my peace of mind.

Thanks for the tip! I'll check out that service if I can't get through. The early decision deadline is coming up fast so I don't have time to waste on hold.

ok but am i the only one confused by why ur using 2024 tax info?? isnt the css profile for 2025-2026 based on 2023 tax returns?? i thought we use prior-prior year tax info (like 2 years ago) for all financial aid stuff now. so maybe u actually entered the RIGHT year info?

You're absolutely right about the prior-prior year. For the 2025-2026 academic year, CSS Profile and FAFSA both use 2023 tax information (the prior-prior year).\n\nOP, if you initially entered 2023 tax information, that was actually CORRECT. The 2024 tax year (which isn't even complete yet) would not be used for financial aid applications for the upcoming academic year. Please double-check which tax year is actually required before making any changes.

Oh my goodness, you're right! I got completely confused. I was thinking the

wait i'm confused something doesn't add up. how do you have your 2024 taxes already?? we're still in 2024 so taxes for this year aren't due until 2025. did you mean you used 2022 instead of 2023?

This whole thread is a trainwreck of confusion lol. Financial aid is so unnecessarily complicated! CSS Profile, FAFSA, tax years that don't match up with school years... no wonder everyone makes mistakes!

You're so right - I got all mixed up with the years! As others pointed out, I should be using 2023 tax info (which is what I actually did). So thankfully I don't need to fix anything after all. But wow, they really don't make this process intuitive.

I'm glad this got sorted out! For anyone else reading this thread who might be confused about CSS Profile corrections:\n\n1. CSS Profile uses prior-prior year tax information (2023 taxes for 2025-2026 academic year)\n\n2. If you do need to make corrections AFTER submitting:\n - Contact each school's financial aid office directly \n - Some schools may ask you to submit a new CSS Profile\n - Others will accept written documentation of the correction\n - Each institution handles corrections differently\n\n3. For minor mistakes, most schools have a process for making adjustments\n\n4. Always keep copies of all communication with financial aid offices\n\nRemember that each college can set their own policies for CSS Profile corrections, unlike FAFSA which has a standardized correction process.

Thank you for this summary! I'm saving this information for future reference. My daughter will be applying for college in two years, so I'm sure I'll need this again!

This is such a helpful thread! I'm new to the CSS Profile process and was already feeling overwhelmed by all the different deadlines and requirements. Reading through everyone's confusion about tax years actually makes me feel better - it's not just me who finds this process confusing! I'm going to bookmark this discussion and Sarah's summary at the end. Quick question: is there a good resource or checklist anywhere that breaks down the CSS Profile requirements in simple terms? I want to make sure I don't make similar mistakes when it's my turn to fill it out.

Wow, this thread perfectly captures why I always triple-check my CSS Profile before submitting! @Alicia Stern I'm so glad it worked out that you actually had the correct tax year info all along. The prior-prior year rule is honestly one of the most confusing aspects of financial aid. For anyone else reading this, I'd also recommend keeping a simple checklist of which tax year to use for each application cycle - it's saved me from similar panic moments. And @Sarah Jones thank you for that comprehensive summary at the end! That's exactly the kind of breakdown that should be pinned somewhere for future reference. The CSS Profile process really could use better user interface design to make these requirements clearer upfront. How many of us have had mini heart attacks thinking we messed up our kids' financial aid? 😅

As someone who went through this exact same panic last year, I can totally relate! The CSS Profile process is honestly way more confusing than it needs to be. I'm so relieved for you that it turned out you had the correct tax year all along - that's such a weight off your shoulders, especially with those early decision deadlines approaching. This thread is a perfect example of why having a supportive community is so important during college application season. The stress is real, but it's amazing how quickly experienced parents and students jump in to help clarify things. I'm definitely saving @Sarah Jones' summary for when my younger child goes through this process in a few years! For anyone else feeling overwhelmed by CSS Profile: you're not alone, the system really could use some design improvements, and don't hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. This community is such a lifesaver! 🙏

This entire thread is such a perfect example of why the CSS Profile process needs better documentation! As someone who just went through this with my first child, I can't tell you how many times I second-guessed myself on the tax year requirements. The prior-prior year rule makes sense once you understand it, but it's so counterintuitive when you're used to everything else being based on the current or most recent tax year. @Alicia Stern I'm so glad your "error" turned out to be correct! That must have been such a relief. And huge thanks to everyone who jumped in with advice - even though it wasn't needed in this case, the information about correction processes will definitely help other families who might actually need to fix something. I'm definitely saving @Sarah Jones' comprehensive breakdown for future reference. Having that step-by-step process laid out clearly is invaluable. It's also reassuring to know that financial aid offices are generally understanding about genuine mistakes when they're caught quickly. For other parents just starting this journey: don't let the complexity intimidate you, but definitely take your time and double-check everything before submitting!

As a newcomer to this whole financial aid process, this thread has been incredibly eye-opening! I'm currently helping my younger sibling prepare for college applications next year, and honestly, I had no idea the CSS Profile could be this confusing. Reading about everyone's experiences - from the initial panic about tax years to the relief when everything worked out correctly - really shows how complex this system is. @Alicia Stern, I'm so glad it turned out you had the right information all along! That must have been such a huge relief. And thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge and correction strategies - even though it wasn't needed in this case, I'm definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference. The prior-prior year rule seems like something that should be explained much more clearly in the CSS Profile interface. It's honestly counterintuitive when most other financial forms use current or recent tax information. This community's willingness to help each other navigate these confusing requirements is amazing - it makes the whole college application process feel a little less overwhelming when you know there are experienced people willing to share their knowledge!

Wow, reading through this entire thread has been such a learning experience! As someone who's about to start this process with my oldest next year, I was initially terrified that I'd make a similar mistake. But seeing how the community came together to help @Alicia Stern, and then watching the confusion get sorted out when everyone realized the tax year was actually correct - it's both reassuring and educational. The prior-prior year rule really is one of those things that makes perfect sense once you understand the reasoning (they need time to process and verify tax information), but it's so confusing when you first encounter it. I love @Sarah Jones' comprehensive breakdown of the correction process - that's going into my college prep folder immediately! This thread is also a great reminder of why it's so important to slow down and double-check everything before panicking. Sometimes what looks like a major error is actually correct, and having a supportive community to help sort through the confusion makes all the difference. Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences and knowledge here - it's going to help so many families navigate this process more confidently!