Paying for College

Q: What is financial aid?
A: Financial Aid is any federal, state or institutional monies provided to students to assist them in paying the costs of post-secondary education.

There are two types of financial aid:

GIFT AID

• Scholarships
• Federal Pell Grants
• Colorado Student Incentive Grant
• Supplemental Educational
• Opportunity Grant

SELF HELP AID

• Federal and State Work Study
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Un-subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
• Federal Stafford Loan
• Federal Direct Student Loan (at some schools)
• Federal Plus Loan

Financial aid will be used to pay some or all of the following costs, depending upon your eligibility:

• Tuition and fees
• Room and board
• Personal maintenance
• Transportation
• Books and supplies
• Medical Expenses

Students seeking financial assistance to attend college must assume certain responsibilities. It is your responsibility to know the various college requirements and deadlines. (See priority deadlines list at the end of this page). Use the list of CESDA financial aid contacts to get correct information, applications and always follow up.

Q: How do you apply for financial aid?
A:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1st as possible for the corresponding fall/spring & summer semester.
• Be sure to confirm the financial aid deadline date with the financial aid office at the schools of your choice. BEAT THE DEADLINE!
• In order to apply for financial aid you will need certain records:
  • Social Security Number
  • Males, 18 and over, must be registered with Selective Service
  • You and your parents' previous year's income information is needed. This might include federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, SSI year end statement, AFDC (welfare) statements, etc.
• Approximately 4-6 weeks after you have mailed the completed FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). Review the SAR for accuracy! If there are no corrections to be made, contact your first choice school's Financial Aid Office for guidance on submitting your SAR to them for processing. If you need additional SAR's call (319) 337-5665 to request a duplicate.
• If a college asks for additional information respond immediately to their request.
• Follow up with the Financial Aid Office to make sure your file is complete.
• You must receive a letter of acceptance from the Admissions Office of the college you are planning to attend before any financial aid will be awarded to you.
• Once your file is complete you will receive notification from the financial aid office in the form of an Award Letter. Follow the instructions on accepting or declining your aid package as stated in your award letter.
• Remember you must apply for financial aid each year as soon as possible and after January 2.

***Note: If you have been convicted of a Federal Drug related charge, you will not qualify for financial aid.

College Financial Aid Priority Funding Deadline Dates:

• Adams State College - April 15- FAFSA completed w/ College
• Aims Community College - April 15- FAFSA received by processor
• Arapahoe Community College - May 1- Completed file w/ College
• Colorado Christian Univ. - March 1- FAFSA received by processor
• Colorado College - February 15- FAFSA to processor
• Colorado Mountain College - March 31- FAFSA to processor
• Colo. N.W. Community College - May 1- Completed file w/College
• Colorado School of Mines - March 1- FAFSA sent to processor
• Colorado State University - March 1- FAFSA sent to processor
• Community College of Aurora - May 1- Completed file w/College
• Community College of Denver - Mar. 1- FASFA sent to processor
• Fort Lewis College - February 15- FAFSA sent to processor
• Front Range Community College - May 1- Completed file w/College
• Lamar Community College - June 1- Completed file w/College
• Mesa State College - March 1- FASFA sent to processor
• Metro State College - February 15- FAFSA to professor
• Morgan Community College - June 1- Completed file w/College
• Northeastern Junior College - March 1- FAFSA received by professor
• Otero Junior College - April 15- FAFSA sent to professor
• Pikes Peak Community College - March 29- Sent to FAFSA processor
• Pueblo Community College - March 15- Completed file w/College
• Regis University - March 15- FAFSA to processor
• Trinidad State Junior College - May 1- Completed file w/College
• University of Colorado - Boulder - April 1- FAFSA sent to processor
• University of Colorado - Colorado Springs - April 1- FAFSA sent to University
• University of Colorado - Denver - March 31- FAFSA sent to processor
• Univ. of Colo. Health Sciences Center - No deadline. First-Come, First-Served.
• University of Denver - February 15- FAFSA to professor
• University of Northern Colo. - March 1- FAFSA sent to processor
• University of Southern Colo. - March 1- FAFSA sent to processor
• Western State College - April 1- FAFSA sent to Processor