The most important step in applying for financial aid at CU-Boulder is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), each academic year, as soon as possible after January 1. April 1st is the priority date for maximum funding. After this date, CU-Boulder continues to offer aid as long as funds are available. You may submit the FAFSA to apply for financial aid throughout the academic year however, you must file your FAFSA, and submit all other documents we request, no later than one month before your last day of classes for the academic year you seek funding for. The FAFSA assesses your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and some scholarships. The FAFSA is available from high schools, college financial aid offices, and at fafsa.ed.gov by December 15. List CU-Boulder on your FAFSA with federal school code 001370.

Mail or fax (303-492-0838) signed copies of the first two pages of your federal income tax return and your parents’ tax return (if dependent student) to the Office of Financial Aid. Submit the tax returns that correspond with the information provided on the FAFSA. Write your name and your CU student ID on each page.

We cannot process your financial aid application until you are officially admitted. Therefore, submit your admission application to CU-Boulder as early as possible.

Our priority deadline for financial aid consideration is April 1. After April 1, we continue to offer aid based on fund availability.

Nondegree students may be eligible for financial aid. Phone 303-492-4518 for specific information. (See Financial Aid and Continuing Education.)

Study abroad students must be enrolled through a CU-Boulder study abroad program to be eligible for CU-Boulder financial aid. (See Financial Aid for Study Abroad.)

The financial aid office determines your cost of attendance based on a survey of regional and local costs. In addition, The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) annually recommends guidelines for student living expenses. (Please see our Cost of Attendance page).

Your "expected family contribution" (EFC) is determined by the federal government through an analysis of the information reported on your FAFSA. The lower your EFC, the greater the financial need, thus increasing your financial eligibility.

If you have unusual financial circumstances affecting your ability to pay for college that are not reflected in your FAFSA, contact the financial aid office for information concerning professional judgment appeals. Special circumstances include, but are not limited to, bankruptcy, drop in income from the previous year, or unusual medical expenses. (See Professional Judgment.)

Financial aid is funded from a variety of sources such as federal and state governing agencies, private donors, and institutional resources. See www.colorado.edu/finaid/typesofaid.html for the types of aid available.

Beginning in March, incoming freshmen who have submitted the FAFSA and been admitted to the university receive a Planning Letter outlining their estimated financial aid. Beginning in April, all students who have submitted a FAFSA and required copies of signed tax returns receive an official Award Offer describing their financial aid.

You must formally accept all loans by calling 303-492-5091. You may also accept your loans via ChooseCU by using your CU Login Name and Identikey Password. From within ChooseCU, under the “Finances” tab, go to the "Financial Aid" channel and follow the "Award Status" link. We offer the maximum loan eligibility, therefore it is your choice to accept the full or a lesser amount. A Promissory Note is sent to you outlining the loan contract. Sign the note and return it to the financial aid office (if you want the loan). Stafford Loan borrowers who have a completed Master Promissory Note on file do not have to sign another.

Note: A parent borrowing the PLUS Loan is regarded as parental support on in-state residency petitions. See a counselor or contact the Residency Classification Office at 303-492- 6868 for further information.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
In order to remain eligible for financial aid at CU-Boulder, students must make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. satisfactory academic progress is a federal government requirement, and is measured by a number of factors including minimum GPA standards and completion rates. (See satisfactory Academic Progress.)

Right to Know
As a prospective or continuing student at the University of Colorado at Boulder, you have a right to certain information that the university is required by law to provide. Much of that information is safety related or financial in nature, but other broad categories are included such as graduation rates, athletics, and the various costs associated with attending CU-Boulder.
See the Your Right to Know page.

Summer financial aid and Summer Work Study
In addition to the FAFSA, students must submit a CU-Boulder Summer Financial Aid Worksheet (available in February). For more information please see our Summer information page.

Withdrawing and Financial Aid
You may be required to repay some of your financial aid if you withdraw from school. See a counselor for further information or Withdrawing and Financial Aid.

Student Employment
The Student Employment Office posts an average of 600 part-time on-campus and off-campus jobs for students who were not awarded work-study. Jobs are posted on the available jobs page. In addition, an on-call temporary employment service allows students to register for occasional work including one-time babysitting, yard work, clerical jobs, etc. Studies indicate that students who work part time are as successful academically as those who do not. Freshmen usually work 8-15 hours a week. Visit the Student Employment office in Regent 205, or phone 303-492-7349 for more information.

Student Work Assistance Program
The Student Work Assistance Program (SWAP) gives students who have a room and board contract a credit against their housing bill in exchange for hours worked in one of the dining centers. Phone 303-492-6325 for more information.

Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship Services page for more details.
Scholarships are funded by donations from private individuals, corporations, foundations, and the state of Colorado. Scholarships do not have to be repaid and can be based on academic achievement, financial need, affiliation, or any combination of these. Financial need is rarely the primary factor considered, but is often used to make a final decision among equally qualified scholarship applicants. For this reason, we encourage you to apply for financial aid by submitting the FAFSA even if you are only interested in merit scholarships. In addition, if you are applying for scholarships that have a financial need requirement, results of your FAFSA must be on file no later than mid-March. For this reason, we recommend that you submit the FAFSA to the Federal Student Aid Programs office by the end of January.