CSS Question - Cash, Savings & Checking Accounts

[Anonymous]

I posted this in the College Forum, but now realize I might be more likely to get answers here, so here goes:

On the CSS, when you answer the question about how much is in cash, savings and checking accounts, how can they verify later down the line?

Obviously I feel no need to share how much cash we keep in the cookie jar in the house. I would assume checking is typically within certain ranges. But savings? I screenshotted everything yesterday to fill it in today - even those numbers are now slightly different (husband got paid this morning, for instance). I keep wondering, how will they verify what was in there on the exact day I fill in the form? Will they request a statement from that month?

Not looking to be dishonest, but thinking surely this is a non-perfect way to do things and want to make sure I don't make any mistakes or mistakes, if that makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Keep screenshots. I haven't heard of anyone that was ever verified.

[Anonymous]

Curious, what is CSS and why are they asking personal info?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Curious, what is CSS and why are they asking personal info?

It's the financial aid for for institutional aid for around 200 or so private colleges. It's more extensive than FAFSA, but the schools that use it are among the most generous in providing financial aid (meaning fairly high income thresholds). But you have to provide a lot of information. If student is applying early decision (ED), you need to fill it in by the deadline in order to get an estimate of cost with the (hopefully) admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Curious, what is CSS and why are they asking personal info?

It's the financial aid for for institutional aid for around 200 or so private colleges. It's more extensive than FAFSA, but the schools that use it are among the most generous in providing financial aid (meaning fairly high income thresholds). But you have to provide a lot of information. If student is applying early decision (ED), you need to fill it in by the deadline in order to get an estimate of cost with the (hopefully) admission.

Thanks. I just paid cash, but with prices for a degree now, I can see how some people might need to finance it. My entire B.S. and M.A. were less than an average years tuition these days. :O

[Anonymous]

Colleges can ask for additional documentation. We had to upload our tax returns and W-2s. I guess they could ask for bank statements also to verify what you are asking about.