How Financial Aid Works

Financial aid is complex. Here are the high-level pieces to the puzzle.

 

 

Who Receives Aid?

Everyone who completes the FAFSA (and any additional information requests) will be offered the federal financial aid they are eligible for. At CU Boulder, our policy for university funds gives priority to the neediest students, as determined by the FAFSA.

 

Application Process

December to early spring

  • The first step in applying for financial aid is to submit the FAFSA each academic year (get more info on how to apply). The FAFSA helps us determine your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study and need-based scholarships. The FAFSA typically opens Oct. 1 each year, but this year, it's expected to open Dec. 1. We strongly recommend you complete the application by March 1 in order to be considered for all types of aid. 
  • Learn more about the types of aid you may be eligible for.
  • View aid details for you. Certain people & programs have unique aid eligibility and/or requirements.
  • Between the time you apply for financial aid and the time you start classes at CU Boulder, you may be asked to provide additional documentation to determine your financial aid eligibility. This process is called verification. It's important you complete this process because we cannot give you aid without it.

Estimated Cost & Financial Aid

February to March, but depends on when you complete the FAFSA

  • Â鶹ÒùÔº begin to receive financial aid notifications for the upcoming school year between February and March. 
  • Â鶹ÒùÔº will only begin to hear from us once they're admitted.
  • Learn how aid is determined and see example budgets.

Receiving Your Aid

One week before classes begin

  • You'll receive your financial aid offer and resources for understanding your aid.
  • As long as you have completed all to-do items from our office, your aid will apply to your university bill one week before the first day of classes (usually a Monday). Any remaining aid will be refunded.
  • Learn important details on how to keep your aid during the school year.

Information on applying for aid is also available in Spanish (    solicitud de ayuda financiera disponible en español).

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  1. November 1

    2025-26 CU Boulder Scholarship Application Open

    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)

  2. Late January

    Requests for Additional Information Begin

    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. Â鶹ÒùÔº 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.

  3. March 1

    Recommended FAFSA Date for Scholarships

    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.

  4. March 15

    CU Boulder Scholarship Application Due

    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.

  5. March

    Financial Aid Offers Begin

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

  6. July & August

    Complete Final To-Do Items

    In July & August, review and complete any outstanding information requests ("To-Do" items in ) 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.

  7. Mid- August

    Financial Aid Applies to Your University Bill

    Â鶹ÒùÔº 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).