{"id":2669,"date":"2025-04-28T21:55:39","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T05:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/?p=2669"},"modified":"2026-08-31T17:51:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T01:51:52","slug":"529-affect-fafsa-css-profile-financial-aid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/529-affect-fafsa-css-profile-financial-aid\/","title":{"rendered":"529 Plans &amp; Financial Aid: Understanding the Impact on FAFSA\/CSS Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>529 plans are popular, tax-advantaged accounts designed specifically for saving for education expenses. They&#8217;re a fantastic tool! But many families wonder: how does having a <strong>529 affect FAFSA<\/strong> and CSS Profile calculations? Does saving for college actually reduce the financial aid you might receive? The answer depends largely on who <em>owns<\/em> the 529 account. Understanding the rules helps you maximize your <strong>college savings financial aid<\/strong> strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide horizontal-cta-main has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-a21f5db68094e27964520eafcddcdc88\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(144deg,rgb(0,148,211) 0%,rgb(20,112,151) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-3 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group horizontal-cta-content is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Maximize Your College Funding Strategy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Understand your savings strategy and explore scholarships that can help cover college costs alongside your 529 plan.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons horizontal-cta-1 is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background-color:#edae39\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><strong>Find Scholarships<\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#F3D08A;color:#082033;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 1 0 0 20 10 10 0 0 0 0-20zm.9 15.4v1.2h-1.6v-1.2c-1.5-.2-2.5-1-2.7-2.4h1.7c.1.7.7 1.1 1.8 1.1 1 0 1.6-.4 1.6-1s-.4-.9-1.9-1.2c-1.8-.4-2.9-1-2.9-2.5 0-1.2.9-2.1 2.4-2.3V6.4h1.6v1.4c1.3.2 2.2 1 2.4 2.2h-1.7c-.1-.6-.6-1-1.5-1s-1.5.4-1.5 1c0 .5.5.8 1.9 1.1 1.9.4 2.9 1 2.9 2.6 0 1.3-.9 2.2-2.4 2.3z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">Find Scholarships That Fit You<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#5a4212\">Discover free money for college and start reducing what you&#8217;ll owe.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Find Scholarships<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">529 Plans: A Great Way to Save, But How Do They Affect Aid?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>529 plans allow savings to grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses (like tuition, fees, room, board, books). While saving is always encouraged, the value of these accounts <em>can<\/em> be considered in financial aid formulas. However, the impact varies significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 Saving smart is only half the equation\u2014showing off your strengths matters too. Build your free student portfolio at <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Cirkled In<\/a> to stand out to colleges and programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0084_3_a-clean-and-professional-banner-advertis_TEiRd7cdTz68Vc7wmbANzg_bMRVV-12Qm6U34PZWrx1vA_cover.png\" alt=\"529 Affect FAFSA &amp; CSS Profile: Financial Aid Impact\" class=\"wp-image-3025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0084_3_a-clean-and-professional-banner-advertis_TEiRd7cdTz68Vc7wmbANzg_bMRVV-12Qm6U34PZWrx1vA_cover.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0084_3_a-clean-and-professional-banner-advertis_TEiRd7cdTz68Vc7wmbANzg_bMRVV-12Qm6U34PZWrx1vA_cover-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0084_3_a-clean-and-professional-banner-advertis_TEiRd7cdTz68Vc7wmbANzg_bMRVV-12Qm6U34PZWrx1vA_cover-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0084_3_a-clean-and-professional-banner-advertis_TEiRd7cdTz68Vc7wmbANzg_bMRVV-12Qm6U34PZWrx1vA_cover-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAFSA Treatment of 529 Plans: Ownership Matters Most<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) looks at assets, but treats 529 plans differently based on ownership:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Parent-Owned 529 (Beneficiary is the Student):<\/strong> This is generally the <em>most favorable<\/em> treatment. The value of a <strong>parent owned 529 FAFSA<\/strong> counts as a <em>parent<\/em> asset. Parent assets are assessed at a lower rate (up to 5.64%) in the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation compared to student assets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Student-Owned 529 (Often UGMA\/UTMA 529s):<\/strong> If the student is the owner of the 529 account (less common, sometimes results from custodial accounts), its value is reported as a <em>student<\/em> asset on the FAFSA. <strong>Student owned 529 FAFSA<\/strong> impact is higher because student assets are assessed at a higher rate (typically 20%) in the SAI calculation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grandparent-Owned or Other Relative-Owned 529:<\/strong> <em>Previously<\/em>, distributions from these were counted as untaxed student income, significantly reducing aid eligibility. <strong>BIG CHANGE:<\/strong> Due to FAFSA simplification, starting with the 2024-2025 FAFSA, distributions from grandparent-owned 529s are <em>no longer<\/em> required to be reported as student income. The <em>value<\/em> of the grandparent-owned account is also <em>not<\/em> reported as a parent or student asset. This is a major positive change for <strong>grandparent 529 financial aid<\/strong> impact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CSS Profile Treatment of 529 Plans: More Complexity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The CSS Profile, used by many private colleges for institutional aid, often treats assets differently and asks for more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Parent\/Student Owned:<\/strong> Generally treated similarly to FAFSA (parent 529s as parent assets, student 529s as student assets).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grandparent\/Other Owned:<\/strong> While FAFSA ignores these now for distributions, the <strong>CSS Profile 529 treatment<\/strong> <em>may<\/em> still ask questions about accounts owned by others where the student is the beneficiary. Policies can vary by college, so check with specific schools. Some may choose to include a portion of these assets in their institutional calculations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83c\udf93 Ready to apply what you\u2019ve saved for? Organize your achievements, goals, and experiences all in one place with <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Cirkled In<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s free and built for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#1E90C9;color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#F5C563\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M4 5h5l2 2h9a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v10a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H4a1 1 0 0 1-1-1V6a1 1 0 0 1 1-1z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">Showcase Everything You&#8217;ve Achieved<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#e8f5fd\">Scholarship committees want the whole you \u2014 build a profile that shows your achievements, activities, and story.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#EDAE39;color:#072A40;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Start My Profile<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide vertical-cta-main has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-274966a966b0c724ad22ac07ac3870b0\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(144deg,rgb(0,148,211) 0%,rgb(20,112,151) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group vertical-cta-content is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add Scholarships to Your College Savings Plan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Your 529 is one funding tool. Search for scholarships that can provide additional money for qualified education expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons horizontal-cta-1 is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-2 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background-color:#edae39\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Explore Funding<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Grandparent 529 Financial Aid Issue (and Recent Changes)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned above, the rules for grandparent-owned 529s have changed significantly <em>for the FAFSA<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Old Rule (Pre 2024-25 FAFSA):<\/strong> Distributions counted as student income, heavily impacting aid the <em>following<\/em> year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>New Rule (2024-25 FAFSA Onward):<\/strong> Distributions are NOT reported as student income. Account value is NOT reported as a parent\/student asset. This makes grandparent-owned 529s much more FAFSA-friendly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>CSS Profile:<\/strong> Still potentially asks about these accounts. Check individual college policies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strategies for Minimizing Aid Impact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prioritize Parent Ownership:<\/strong> If possible, have the 529 account owned by the parent, not the student, for the most favorable FAFSA treatment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Understand Grandparent 529 Rules:<\/strong> Be aware of the new FAFSA rules and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/how-income-assets-affect-financial-aid-fafsa-css\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">potential CSS Profile implications<\/a>. Timing of distributions might still matter for CSS Profile schools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spend Parent\/Student 529s First:<\/strong> Use funds from parent- or student-owned 529s before potentially tapping grandparent accounts if applying to CSS Profile schools with less favorable policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focus on Saving:<\/strong> Don&#8217;t let fear of aid impact stop you from saving altogether. Saving <em>something<\/em> is almost always better than saving nothing, even if it slightly affects aid. The amount aid is reduced is usually only a small fraction of the amount saved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thought: Understand the Rules for Your Savings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>529 plans are excellent tools for <strong>college savings and financial aid<\/strong> planning. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/student-aid-index-sai-explained-fafsa\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Knowing how ownership impacts the way<\/a> a <strong>529 affect FAFSA<\/strong> and potentially the CSS Profile helps you make informed decisions. The recent FAFSA changes regarding <strong>grandparent 529 financial aid<\/strong> are beneficial, but always be aware of the specific requirements for both forms and individual college policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Need more tips on&nbsp;<strong>college applications<\/strong>,&nbsp;<strong>scholarships<\/strong>, or just how to survive this whole process?&nbsp;<strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;has your back\u2014check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Cirkled In resources<\/a>&nbsp;to help you through every step of your college journey!<br>Check out&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline\"><strong>Cirkled In<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/a>and start owning your future today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-f4755364ce7ad545fab2de70b1a84ae3 is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-radius:8px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(220,233,241) 0%,rgb(166,215,230) 100%);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group vertical-cta-content is-content-justification-space-between is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-8 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find More Ways to Pay for College<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Combine savings with scholarship opportunities to build a stronger plan for managing the total cost of your education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons horizontal-cta-1 is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background-color:#2795d0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Search Scholarships<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-auto-cta\" style=\"background:#EDAE39;color:#082033;border-radius:14px;padding:16px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin:22px 0;font-family:inherit\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 28px\"><path d=\"M18 4h2a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4h-.4A6 6 0 0 1 13 14.9V17h3v2H8v-2h3v-2.1A6 6 0 0 1 7.4 11H7a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h2V3h12v1zM6 6H5v1a2 2 0 0 0 1 1.7V6zm13 0v2.7A2 2 0 0 0 20 7V6h-1z\"\/><\/svg><div style=\"flex:1;min-width:220px\"><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 3px\">$2,500 No-Sweat Scholarship<\/div><div style=\"font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.45;color:#5a3a10\">Real students win our $2,500 scholarship every quarter \u2014 yours could be next.<\/div><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#0A3D5C;color:#fff;font-weight:800;font-size:14.5px;border-radius:999px;padding:11px 24px;text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-related\" style=\"background:#e7f1fb;border-radius:16px;padding:20px 24px;margin:30px 0 16px;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#2b6f9c;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px\">Keep Reading<\/div><div style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:800;color:#0A3D5C;margin:0 0 10px\">Related Articles<\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/fafsa-vs-css-profile-comparison\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Key Sections &amp;amp; Required Info<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/css-profile-vs-fafsa-student\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: Know the Aid Forms &#8211; Get More College Money!<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/how-to-avoid-common-fafsa-mistakes-that-cost-you-money\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">How to Avoid Common FAFSA Mistakes That Cost You Money<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/financial-aid-for-first-generation-college-students\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">First-Gen Financial Aid Guide: Your Path to Affordable College<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/financial-aid-appeal-letter-guide-sample\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Appealing Your Financial Aid Award: Step-by-Step Guide &amp;amp; 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Scholarships<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/library\/scholarships-and-financial-aid\/need-blind-vs-need-aware-admissions-policy\/\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:8px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#0A3D5C;font-weight:600;font-size:15px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#2b6f9c\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" style=\"flex:0 0 14px\"><path d=\"M9 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">&#8220;Need-Blind&#8221; vs. &#8220;Need-Aware&#8221; Admissions: What It Means for Your Application &amp;amp; Aid<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"ci-related\" style=\"background:#f1f4f7;border-radius:16px;padding:18px 24px;margin:0 0 16px;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#6b7a8a;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.2px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 4px\">Good to Know<\/div><div style=\"font-size:19px;font-weight:800;color:#0A3D5C;margin:0 0 8px\">Helpful Resources<\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/studentaid.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/cssprofile.collegeboard.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">CSS Profile (College Board)<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/collegescorecard.ed.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;padding:7px 2px;text-decoration:none;color:#33475b;font-weight:600;font-size:14.5px\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#5a6b78\" stroke-width=\"2\" style=\"flex:0 0 13px\"><path d=\"M14 5h5v5M19 5l-8 8M11 5H6a1 1 0 0 0-1 1v12a1 1 0 0 0 1 1h12a1 1 0 0 0 1-1v-5\"\/><\/svg><span style=\"text-decoration:underline\">College Scorecard<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<style>.ci-why-tiles{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:11px}.ci-why-tiles .ci-wide{grid-column:span 2}@media(max-width:600px){.ci-why-tiles{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}<\/style><div class=\"ci-auto-footer\" style=\"border-radius:16px;padding:26px 26px 24px;margin:16px 0 6px;background:linear-gradient(150deg,#0A3D5C 0%,#0c3350 55%,#072A40 100%);color:#fff;font-family:inherit\"><div style=\"color:#F5C563;font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:1.4px;text-transform:uppercase;margin:0 0 6px\">Why Cirkled In?<\/div><div style=\"font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin:0 0 9px\">You\u2019re more than a test score \u2014 get discovered.<\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#d6e4ef;margin:0 0 18px\">You have a story, and Cirkled In helps you tell it \u2014 shining a light on who you are so the right colleges find you. Find your dream college, gain real experience, and win scholarships, all at one hub.<\/p><div class=\"ci-why-tiles\"><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#2EA9E0;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#F5C563\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M4 5h5l2 2h9a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v10a1 1 0 0 1-1 1H4a1 1 0 0 1-1-1V6a1 1 0 0 1 1-1z\"\/><\/svg>Create My Portfolio<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/college\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#147097;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#fff\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M12 3 1 8l11 5 9-4.1V15h2V8L12 3z\"\/><path d=\"M5 12.7v3.3c0 1.2 3.1 3 7 3s7-1.8 7-3v-3.3l-7 3.2-7-3.2z\"\/><\/svg>Research 7,000+ Colleges<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#F3D08A;color:#082033;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M12 2a10 10 0 1 0 0 20 10 10 0 0 0 0-20zm.9 15.4v1.2h-1.6v-1.2c-1.5-.2-2.5-1-2.7-2.4h1.7c.1.7.7 1.1 1.8 1.1 1 0 1.6-.4 1.6-1s-.4-.9-1.9-1.2c-1.8-.4-2.9-1-2.9-2.5 0-1.2.9-2.1 2.4-2.3V6.4h1.6v1.4c1.3.2 2.2 1 2.4 2.2h-1.7c-.1-.6-.6-1-1.5-1s-1.5.4-1.5 1c0 .5.5.8 1.9 1.1 1.9.4 2.9 1 2.9 2.6 0 1.3-.9 2.2-2.4 2.3z\"\/><\/svg>Find 6,500+ Scholarships<\/a><a class=\"ci-wide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/internship-and-jobs\/search\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#1F5F8B;color:#fff;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#fff\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><rect x=\"10.3\" y=\"2.4\" width=\"3.4\" height=\"2.2\" rx=\"1.1\"\/><rect x=\"5\" y=\"4.6\" width=\"14\" height=\"16.8\" rx=\"2.4\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"7.4\" y=\"7.4\" width=\"9.2\" height=\"3.4\" rx=\"1\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"13\" width=\"8\" height=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"16\" width=\"8\" height=\"1.5\"\/><rect x=\"8\" y=\"19\" width=\"5\" height=\"1.5\"\/><\/svg>Explore 24,000+ Internships, Jobs &amp; Volunteering<\/a><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cirkledin.com\/scholarships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" style=\"text-decoration:underline;background:#EDAE39;color:#082033;border-radius:12px;padding:14px 14px;text-decoration:none;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:11px;min-height:58px;font-weight:800;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.2;box-shadow:0 6px 16px -8px rgba(0,0,0,.5)\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"23\" height=\"23\" fill=\"#082033\" style=\"flex:0 0 23px\"><path d=\"M18 4h2a1 1 0 0 1 1 1v2a4 4 0 0 1-4 4h-.4A6 6 0 0 1 13 14.9V17h3v2H8v-2h3v-2.1A6 6 0 0 1 7.4 11H7a4 4 0 0 1-4-4V5a1 1 0 0 1 1-1h2V3h12v1zM6 6H5v1a2 2 0 0 0 1 1.7V6zm13 0v2.7A2 2 0 0 0 20 7V6h-1z\"\/><\/svg>Win the $2,500 Scholarship<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>529 plans are popular, tax-advantaged accounts designed specifically for saving for education expenses. They&#8217;re a fantastic tool! But many families wonder: how does having a 529 affect FAFSA and CSS Profile calculations? Does saving for college actually reduce the financial aid you might receive? The answer depends largely on who [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[2535,2536,2537,2538,2539,2540,2541,2542,2543,2544,2545],"class_list":["post-2669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-scholarships-and-financial-aid","tag-529-plans-and-financial-aid","tag-529-impact-on-fafsa","tag-529-css-profile-considerations","tag-college-savings-and-financial-aid-eligibility","tag-fafsa-treatment-of-529-accounts","tag-css-profile-529-plan-rules","tag-grandparent-owned-529-plan-changes","tag-strategies-to-minimize-financial-aid-impact-from-529s","tag-how-529-ownership-affects-aid","tag-understanding-529-plans-for-college-planning","tag-education-savings-and-financial-aid"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>529 Plans &amp; Financial Aid: Understanding the Impact on FAFSA\/CSS Profile - Cirkled In<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How do 529 plans affect financial aid? 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