Completing the FAFSA

The Fall 2025, Spring 2026 CU Boulder Scholarship Application opens Nov. 1 with some scholarship applications due as early as February 15. The general application is due March 15 by 11:59 p.m. (MT)

Starting in late January, the Office of Financial Aid will notify incoming students and their families if more information is required to complete the financial aid application. Students will receive an email with a list of information requested, including how to submit it. Parents may also receive an email if parental information is required (and if a parent email address was provided on the FAFSA).

It's very important to address these requests as soon as possible. Most outstanding requests will hold up a student from receiving a financial aid award until information has been provided.

We encourage you complete the 2025-26 FAFSA by March 1, 2025 in order to be considered for scholarships that require financial aid information. You can still apply for financial aid after this date, but will not be eligible for scholarships with March deadlines.

Most scholarships within the CU Boulder Scholarship Application have a due date of March 15 (11:59 p.m. MT). Transfer students have a later deadline.

In March, the Office of Financial Aid begins sending financial aid offers for all new and continuing students.

In July & August, review and complete any outstanding information requests ("To-Do" items in Buff Portal) and pre-college checklist items. Getting these tasks done before coming to Boulder will help you focus on moving, buying books and finding your classes.

Students who have completed the 2025-26 FAFSA and all outstanding information requests (also known as "To-Do's") from our office will have their financial aid applied to their university bill one week before the first day of class. Learn more about how aid is applied to the bill and how to get your refund if eligible (the portion of aid for your out-of-pocket college expenses).