Prospective Graduate Student Frequently Asked Questions

General Inquiries
Application Process
Establishing Colorado Residency
International Applicants
Financial Aid
Taking Aerospace Engineering Courses

General Inquiries

Application Process

Q: What are the Admissions Requirements?

A: An applicant may be admitted to the Graduate School as either a regular degree student or a provisional degree student. For acceptance into the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, the following requirements must be met.

Regular Degree Students must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Show promise of ability to pursue advanced study and research, as judged by the student's previous scholastic record.
3. Have had adequate preparation to enter graduate study in the chosen field.
4. Have at least a 3.00 (B) undergraduate grade point average.
5. Have taken the GRE.

Provisional Degree students who do not meet the requirements for admission as regular degree students may be recommended for provisional degree status. With the concurrence of the dean of the Graduate School, these students are admitted to a probationary term of either one or two semesters of full-time study or the equivalent for part-time students. At the end of the specified probationary period, provisional degree students must be either admitted to regular degree status or dismissed from the graduate program. To be changed to regular degree status a student must maintain a 3.25 grade point average in 12 hours of graduate course work over two semesters.

Students with undergraduate degrees in all areas of engineering are encouraged to apply. Students with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, physics, chemistry and other physical sciences are also encouraged to apply if they meet the minimum admissions standards noted in General Inquiries.

Q: How do I apply to the Aerospace Engineering Sciences (ASEN) graduate program at the University of Colorado/Boulder campus?

A: For information about our program, faculty and research projects, as well as information on application materials, please visit our website, http://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/. For program information, click on 'Graduate Programs', then 'Graduate Handbook.' For application materials, click 'Prospective Students' and go to Graduates, 'Applying' and follow the links.

Q: Do you offer a distance learning program? How do I apply?

A: Distance Learning coursework is offered for a MS and ME degree through the Center for Advanced Engineering and Technology Education (CAETE). For information about CAETE, please log on to their website at: http://caete.colorado.edu. Courses for Aerospace can be taken through the Course Library, with the professor's permission. When you log onto the CAETE website, click on 'Course Library' from the home page or follow the link at: http://caete.colorado.edu/IEC; the Aerospace courses offered under that program will be listed.

If you have questions about the CAETE program, please contact Robin McClanahan at: Robin.McClanahan@colorado.edu

Note: At this time, the MS degree is not available through CAETE for the following focus areas:

     - Bioastronautics
     - Vehicle Systems, including Aerodynamics, Systems and Control

For program information, click on 'Graduate Programs', then 'Graduate Handbook.' For application materials, click 'Prospective Students' and go to Graduates, 'Applying' and follow the links.

Q: What is the deadline to submit my application for admission for SPRING admission?

A: The deadline to submit an application for spring admission is October 1. The international application deadline is August 1.

All application materials should be received by the application deadline. Application materials include: signed application, application fee, statement of purpose, official GRE scores from an examination taken within the last 5 years, TOEFL scores if required, 4 letters of recommendation, and two official transcripts from all post secondary institutions attended.

Q: What is the deadline to submit my application for FALL admission?

A: The deadline to submit an application for fall admission is February 1. The international application deadline is December 1.

All application materials should be received by the application deadline. Application materials include: signed application, application fee, statement of purpose, official GRE scores from an examination taken within the last 5 years, TOEFL scores if required, 4 letters of recommendation, and two official transcripts from all post secondary institutions attended.

Q: How many letters of recommendation are required?

A: A minimum of four letters of recommendation should be submitted. For current students and recent graduates, recommendations from faculty members are particularly important. You may submit letters of recommendation with your application, or your recommenders may send the letters directly to Aerospace Engineering Sciences.

Q: How long are my GRE scores valid?

A: The GRE General Test measures critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. Information about the GRE is available on the Educational Testing Service website, www.gre.org. Current GRE Board policy states that your scores are reportable for 5 years. Your scores are retained for the 5 testing years following the testing year in which you tested. All scores earned during this time will be reported to each institution you designate. The Aerospace Engineering Admissions Committee will not accept scores older than 5 years.

Q: What criteria does the admissions committee use to evaluate applicants for admission?

A: In evaluating applicants for admission, the Admissions Committee relies on the completed application form, the report of GRE scores, your undergraduate GPA and official transcripts, as well as your statement of purpose and recommendations from persons who have had an opportunity to observe your ability and performance. Your GRE scores and GPA are considered in the context of the entire application. The quality of your undergraduate institution will be considered. Substantial consideration is accorded to special qualities such as motivation, undergraduate program, diversity in economic, social, or cultural background, employment or other experience, leadership, and perseverance in overcoming personal handicaps or disadvantages. Graduate level work is also considered.

Q: I previously applied to the University of Colorado at Boulder, Aerospace Engineering Sciences. How do I reapply?

A: Applicants who decline an offer of admission or were not offered admission may choose to reapply. Reapplication includes: submission of a new application, application fee, a valid GRE score, statement of purpose, and recommendations. Application files are retained for only one year after the year of original application. If you are reapplying within one year, your retained application and all supporting documents will be included in your new application for admission. It is suggested that you freshen your application - i.e. statement of purpose, resume, and letter(s) of recommendation. If it has been longer than one year since you applied, we no longer have any of your previous application materials and you will need to begin the application process again.

Establishing Colorado Residency

Q: How do I become a resident of the state of Colorado for in-state tuition purposes?

A: Residency classification is governed by state statute. To be eligible for in-state classification, applicants must establish domicile (legal residence) in Colorado one year prior to the first day of class for the term for which in-state status is sought. Note: students may establish their residency while enrolled in the College of Engineering.

Applicants and students who have become eligible for a change to in-state status must submit a petition with documentation in order to have their status changed. Please direct questions regarding residency status to the Tuition Classification Office (rather than to the College of Engineering), Regent Administrative Center 105; telephone 303-492-0907; "email; or website.

Q: I am a member of the armed forces. Can I qualify for in-state tuition?

A: Active duty members of the armed forces of the United States and Canada on permanent duty stationed in Colorado, and their dependents (as defined by military regulations), are eligible for in-state status regardless of domicile or length of residence.

For further information regarding tuition classification please contact the Tuition Classification Officer, located in Regent Administration Center 105; telephone 303-492-0907; "email; or website.

International Applicants

Q: How do I submit my application materials?

A: International applicants should follow the on-line application process and all supplementary materials (official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) should be mailed directly to the department. The department will forward materials, as necessary, to the Office of International Admissions for evaluation. After evaluation, applicant materials are returned to the deparment for an admission decision.

In the alternative, students may forward the paper application (if not applying online), along with any supplementary materials, directly to the Office of International Admissions for evaluation. After evaluation, the Office of International Admissions will forward all materials received to the department. The mailing address for International Admissions is:  University of Colorado, Office of International Admissions, UCB 65, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0065.

Q: I am currently living outside the United States. How do I get an application or catalog mailed to me?

A: At this time, hard copies of application and program information materials are not available. For information about our program, faculty and research projects, as well as information on application materials, please visit our website, http://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/. For program information, click on 'Graduate Programs', then 'Graduate Handbook.' For application materials, click 'Prospective Students' and go to Graduates, 'Applying' and follow the links.

Q: What are the graduation admission requirements for international applicants?

A: Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU-Boulder has established minimum standards for graduate admission. Applicants must:

1. Have undergraduate courses in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations.
2. Have two semesters of undergraduate calculus-based physics.
3. Have at least two semesters of upper-division undergraduate courses in engineering or physics.
4. Hold a baccalaureate degree in engineering, sciences, or mathematics from an institution  accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. More information is available on the international admissions website, http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/international/.
5. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00. For overseas institutions that use a different grading scale, a score equivalent to the 0-4.00 system is computed by the University of Colorado, Office of International Admissions.
6. Provide official GRE scores. Unofficial copies will not be accepted.
7. Provide four letters of recommendation.
8. Provide a statement of purpose.
9. The application fee is $70.00 U.S.

Prior to admission, applicants from countries where English is not the native language must demonstrate a full command of the English language by making a satisfactory score of 560 (paper) or 220 (computer) or 83 (internet) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL).

You are not required to submit the TOEFL if,

1. your native language is English, or
2. you have completed at least one year of full-time study at a U.S. institution, or at an institution in a country where English is the native language, at the time you apply, and within two years from your desired admission term

International students should have the financial resources to support themselves for at least the first year in the program. The estimated expense for the non-resident student to attend is $40,200 U.S., for the academic year. This figure includes room and board, books, tuition and fees. Summer tuition, transportation and incidental costs should be added to this amount. International applicants are expected to have private and/or governmental financial support for the duration of study at the university. Limited financial aid may be available but only after two semesters of superior academic performance and proof of proficiency in the English language. Consequently, due to the current world and economic situation, one should not apply without sufficient financial resources to complete the program for which they are applying.

If you meet the above requirements, and would like more information, please use our website at http://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/ for the necessary application forms. We are sorry but we are unable to send applications and catalogs to addresses outside the U.S. and its protectorates.

More information about the graduation admission requirements for international students is available on the University of Colorado International Admissions website, http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/international/requirements/grad-requirements.html.

For information about the aerospace program, faculty and research projects, as well as information on application materials, please visit our website, http://www.colorado.edu/aerospace/. For program information, click on 'Graduate Programs', then 'Graduate Handbook.' For application materials, click 'Prospective Students' and go to Graduates, 'Applying' and follow the links.

Financial Aid

Q: How do I apply for financial aid?

A: In most instances a graduate student will be eligible for enough aid to cover his or her total cost of attendance. The cost of attendance (budget) includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, rent and utilities, food, medical, transportation, and personal expenses. Please note that car expenses (payments, insurance, repairs), credit card payments, and rent/utilities over the budgeted amount are not included. It is very important to keep your expenses within the budget.

Financial aid includes Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans (maximum $25,000), Graduate PLUS loan, grants, scholarships, fellowships, work-study, and/or private alternative graduate loans. No credit check is required in order to receive federal Stafford loans, but students must be "credit-worthy" to receive Graduate PLUS loan and private alternative graduate loans. You may not borrow more than your cost of attendance. If you wish to borrow private alternative loans, YOU MUST COMPLETE A SEPARATE APPLICATION FOR THESE LOANS. Some lenders used by University of Colorado at Boulder students are:

Q: What are the expected tuition and fees?

A: Tuition and mandatory fees are located at http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/graduate/finances/tuition.html. In June of each year, the Board of Regents determines the tuition and mandatory fees for the upcoming year.

Q: How do I apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantship, and fellowships?

A: Funding is offered to the most outstanding applicants.

The admissions committee automatically considers admitted entering students for fellowships; there is no separate fellowship application for entering applicants. Fellowship recipients are selected during the admissions process, and in most circumstances, recipients will be notified before their $200 enrollment deposit is due.

MS Students:

• Financial support is not guaranteed for MS students. 
• Individual advisors may offer research assistantships to MS students.
• MS students can apply for hourly course assistantships at a competitive salary.
• Top students may be considered for sponsored fellowships or summer internships

Ph.D. students:

Students meeting the rigorous admission requirements for the PhD are admitted to a focus area, matched with a faculty advisor, and are guaranteed financial support for up to 4 years to completion of the doctoral degree. This continued financial support will be renewed each year provided that the student is making acceptable progress as evidenced by progression through the preliminary and comprehensive exams, and annual progress reviews by her/his thesis committee. Support for longer periods of study are allowed, but are not guaranteed by the department.

This support may be subject to the availability of continued funds in the student’s selected research area. It is provided primarily by the advisor or focus area, through external fellowships, contracts & grants. In the case of an unexpected loss of funding, the student may be required to switch fields in order to keep their financial support. One year of support (typically the first year) can be provided by a departmental fellowship.

For further information regarding teaching and research assistantships, and other sources of financial assistance, please visit the Graduate School website, http://www.colorado.edu/prospective/graduate/finances/assistance.html.

In addition to institutional scholarships and grants, you may wish to participate in a self-directed scholarship search for private scholarship funds. Please refer here (and similar sites) for more information on free scholarship databases.

Taking Aerospace Engineering Courses

Q: I have not been admitted as a graduate student to the University of Colorado College of Engineering; may I take aerospace courses?

A: Graduate level courses offered on the main CU-Boulder campus are open for credit to graduate students enrolled at the University of Colorado on a space available basis with the instructor's consent. If you are currently enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Colorado, please email the instructor directly.

Students who are not graduate students enrolled at the University of Colorado can take courses through the distance learning program. For information about the University of Colorado-Boulder's distance learning program (CAETE), please log on to the CAETE website at: http://caete.colorado.edu. Courses for Aerospace can be taken through the Course Library, with the professor's permission. When you log onto the CAETE website, click on 'Course Library' from the home page or follow the link at: http://caete.colorado.edu/IEC; the Aerospace courses offered by the CAETE program will be listed.

If you choose to take courses through the CAETE program and have them count toward a master's degree at CU, you must apply to the Aerospace Engineering Sciences department and be admitted as a master's student. (Note: you cannot earn a Ph.D. through the CAETE program, but may use qualifying courses toward meeting the Ph D course credit requirements.)

All graduate school courses are open to auditors under campus rules, based on space availability and the instructor's consent. Click here for more information.