Completing the FAFSA

The 2023-24 FAFSA opens October 1, 2022.

The 2023-24 CU Boulder Scholarship Application opens Nov. 1, 2022 with scholarship applications due as early as February 15. The general application is due March 15 by 11:59 p.m. (MT)

Starting in January, and as early as October for continuing students, the Office of Financial Aid will email 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.

In early February, the Office of Financial Aid begins sending incoming students an estimate of their financial aid. We offer estimates as a way for families to plan for paying for college.

We highly recommend you complete the 2023-24 FAFSA application by February 15, 2023 in order to be considered for all types of financial aid. You can still apply for financial aid after this date; however, some funds are first-come, first-served and after February 15, 2023 those funds begin running out. 

In early March, the Office of Financial Aid begins providing students (with completed applications) with their 2023-24 financial aid offer.

Most scholarships within the CU Boulder Scholarship Application have a due date of March 15 (11:59 p.m. MT). We strongly recommend you complete and submit your application before this date. Transfer students have a later deadline.

In July & August, we recommend you 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 2023-24 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. Learn more about how aid is applied to the bill, how to authorize aid to pay all university charges, and how to get your refund (the portion of aid for your indirect college expenses).