Financial Assistance
There are several different forms of financial assistance (student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs) that are available every semester. The first step is understanding each and deciding which one(s) apply to you.
If your application for financial assistance is received before the April 1st priority date, then you will be considered for a variety of need-based programs (grants, work study and/ or student loan funds). However, if your application is received after the April 1st priority date, then you will (usually) only be considered for a Federal Pell Grant and student loans.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for financial assistance from UCD, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or be admitted to the U.S. by the INS on a permanent basis.
- Be enrolled for a minimum number of credits as specified on the financial aid award letter.
- Meet the minimum requirements of Financial Aid Academic Standards.
- Apply for financial assistance by submitting all of the required documentation. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for all programs.
- Not be in default on any student loan or owe a refund on any educational grant.
- Be registered with the Selective Service (male applicants only and only if you were born after 1959).
- Be accepted into UCD as a degree-seeking student before aid can be awarded… but you can apply for aid now. Do not wait to be admitted.
Financial Aid vs. Scholarships
Under the umbrella of financial assistance, scholarships and financial aid sometimes seem interchangeable, but they’re actually quite distinct…
- Financial Aid
- Government funding, coordinated through the Office of Financial Aid. Federal grants (i.e., Pell grants), work-study, and student loans are forms of financial aid.
- Most aid funds are limited; it is critical that you meet the priority date by submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. The date may vary from year to year, but it is usually around mid-March. Here are the downloadable forms for Financial Aid that you may need.
- Scholarships
- Competitive awards offered by various sources. Businesses, corporations, civic and social clubs, churches, and individuals offer scholarships with specific eligibility criteria.
- Here are the specific College of Architecture and Planning scholarships:
- College of Architecture and Planning 2008-2009 Scholarship Application (pdf)
- CAP Graduate Scholarship list (pdf)
- Graduate Tuition Award Application (doc)
- Here is a sample listing of the major scholarships offered at UCD
| Urban Scholar |
Nelson/Running Wolf Scholarship |
| Regents Scholars Award |
Ahlin Fund |
| Colorado Scholars Award |
Governor's Opportunity Scholarship |
| Deans Scholars Award |
Academic Achievement Award |
| Advantage Scholarship |
|
Other Forms of Financial Assistance
Grants
- Grants are a form of "gift" aid, which means they do not require repayment. As a UCD student, the following grant programs are available (if you qualify):
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- Colorado Student Grant
- Colorado Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant
- Colorado Graduate Grant
Work Study
- Federal College Work-Study is a need-based program that allows you to work on a part-time basis, on campus or off campus, at non-profit agencies to help meet your educational costs.
Residency
- If you are a Colorado resident, your graduate tuition rates are substantially lower than out-of state rates. If you are an American citizen, you can become eligible for residential status after one year of Colorado residence, and the lower in-state tuition rates that come with that classification.
- If you are classified as a non-resident for tuition purposes, you can petition for a change in classification or request further consideration. Specific information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions at (303) 556-2704.
- Please direct all financial aid requests and questions to financialaid@cudenver.edu