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Financial aid and the first fall payment

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If your student has accepted their financial aid & completed their to-do’s, the earliest financial aid will apply to the fall bill is the Monday before the first day of class, on Aug. 21.  

Avoid delaying aid

  • To-do’s: The most common reason aid is delayed. Make sure your student does their outstanding to-dos in Buff Portal.
  • Accept aid:  See how to view, accept & decline aid.
  • Loans: Students must complete loan entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if they are first-time borrowers. Parents will also need to complete these items if you’re borrowing a Parent PLUS loan for the first time.
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy: Violating SAP twice results in loss of financial aid eligibility. Students can check their status in Buff Portal.
  • Enrollment level: Enrolling less than full time (12+ credit hours) or half time (6 or fewer credit hours) can result in adjustments to financial aid.

Scholarships

  • Students must accept a scholarship in Buff Portal if they’re offered, and complete post-acceptance information if required. 
  • If your student got a scholarship from outside of the university, they must make sure to send in the money.

Get access

  • Check financial aid status: Your student can set up FERPA consent to release, which enables the university to talk to families about a student’s educational records. Families may be asked for a FERPA password once consent is complete. Only the Office of Financial Aid can discuss a student’s aid status.
  • View the bill: Your student can grant you access to view & pay the bill by adding you as an authorized payer in Buff Portal.

Other funding options

  • Payment plans: break-up remaining costs each semester
  • Parent PLUS loan: can only be borrowed in a parent's name. You must apply each year you want the loan. Once submitted, it can take up to two weeks for the loan to process.

Timeline

  • Thursday, Aug. 10 – Fall bill will be available online (some charges may appear sooner)
  • Monday, Aug. 21 – Financial aid applies to the bill
  • Monday, Aug. 28 – Deadline to send private scholarship checks to the Office of Financial Aid
  • Monday, Sept. 4 – Deadline to sign up for 4-payment plan option
  • Tuesday, Sept. 5 – Payment is due for fall
  • Wednesday, Sept. 13 – Last day to withdraw from the semester with 100% refund ($200 fee may apply)
  • Friday, Sept. 15 – Last day to select or waive health insurance. Must be done each academic year by the deadline, or you’ll be automatically enrolled & billed for the CU Gold SHIP. See Student Health Insurance.