The Fine Print
APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID
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 CU Student ID on
each page and provide a translation if they are not in english.
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 and our Non-degree page.)
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.)
ELIGIBILITY AND AWARDS
Virtually all families are eligible for some form
of financial aid, therefore it is in your best interest
to apply. Your eligibility for financial aid
is based on the following formula:
Cost of Attendance
- Expected Family Contribution (FAFSA results)
= Financial Need
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.)
TYPES OF AVAILABLE AID
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.
NOTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE
OF YOUR AWARD OFFER
Beginning in March, incoming freshmen who
have submitted the FAFSA receive a Planning
Letter outlining their estimated financial aid.
Beginning in April, all students who have submitted
the FAFSA and required copies of
signed tax returns receive an Award Offer describing
their official financial aid award.
You must formally accept all loans by calling
303-492-5091 or by returning the Award Adjust
Form. You may also accept your loans via
CUConnect by using
your four-digit CU-Boulder PIN number. We
offer the maximum loan eligibility, therefore it
is your choice to accept the full or a lesser
amount.
Promissory Notes are required for all loans. For Direct Loans, both Stafford (you) and PLUS (your parent borrower), and Graduate PLUS, please sign an electronic master promissory note at dlenote.ed.gov, with the PIN from your FAFSA. If do not have a PIN, go to pin.ed.gov first to request one. Stafford Loan borrowers
who have a completed Master Promissory
Note on file do not have to sign another.
Note: Borrowing the PLUS (Parent) 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Where/When do I Get My Money?
Financial aid funds are posted to students’ bills
approximately one month before classes begin
for registered students. Refunds are available
approximately three days before classes begin.
Adjustments to Aid
Financial aid awards are adjusted to reflect
changes to your file including reported income,
enrollment status, and additional scholarship
funds. A revised Award Offer is mailed to you
outlining the adjustments.
Quality Assurance
CU-Boulder must comply with the federal
Quality Assurance audit program. If you are
selected, you may be asked for additional documentation
to support the information you
provided on the FAFSA.
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