The University of Colorado Boulder provides some grant and work-study assistance for Colorado resident students who are eligible under the Colorado Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) Bill or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Nonresident students are ineligible for need-based assistance or the Colorado ASSET Bill benefit, but are encouraged to apply for scholarships.
ASSET vs. DACA
- ASSET: Effective Fall 2013, undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition (for example, attended a Colorado high school for at least 1 year & graduated from a Colorado high school) under the Colorado ASSET bill can apply for state and university-funded financial aid. These students will be identified through the admissions application process.
- DACA: Eligible students may request consideration for deferred action for a period of two years and would then be eligible for work authorization (making them eligible to be considered for work-study aid).
Students who qualify for ASSET do not automatically qualify for DACA, and vice versa. A student may qualify for one but not the other, qualify for both, or qualify for neither.
How to Apply
ASSET students can apply for state and university aid each year beginning Oct. 1 by completing the ASSET Financial Aid Application, known as the CASFA. You will be prompted to create an account with Colorado Department of Higher Education the first time you access the application.
Start Application Application FAQ's
ASSET students should complete the CASFA instead of the FAFSA. If you already completed the FAFSA, you do NOT need to complete both applications. For assistance, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Types of Aid
Grants and Scholarships
Depending on your eligibility (including enrollment and financial need) and available funding, ASSET students may receive either the CU Promise grant (beginning Fall 2020) or a combination of CU Boulder-funded and Colorado state-funded grants ranging from $2,400 - $10,300 per year. You're also eligible to apply for the First Generation Scholarship.
Work-Study
DACA students may be eligible for state-funded work-study up to $3,000. ASSET students with DACA may be eligible for both grant funding (through ASSET) and work-study (through DACA).
Please note that ASSET and/or DACA students are not eligible for federal funding, including grants or loans.
Summer Aid
ASSET students are eligible to be considered for the CU Achieve Summer Grant Program.
Scholarships & Other Financial Assistance
Estimated 2024-25 Timeline
- Beginning in August: Apply for Admission. The deadline for first-year applicants to apply for fall is January 15.
- Late December: Apply for financial aid by completing the 2023-24 Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) as soon as possible. The CASFA would usually open on October 1, but this year it's expected to open in late December for the upcoming school year. Applications received by March 1 will be considered for the maximum financial aid.
- November 1: Apply for scholarships through the CU Boulder Scholarship Application. Deadline to apply is March 15, though some scholarships have earlier deadlines.
- Late April: Financial aid offers begin for all new and continuing students.
- May: Submit your official high school transcripts to the Admissions Office. Be sure to request your transcripts before you graduate high school and leave for the summer.
- Prior to first day of class: Apply for College Opportunity Fund (COF).