Veteran and Military Connected Students

Apply for Financial Aid

We encourage all students who are eligible to complete the FAFSA. The application allows a student to be considered for grants, work-study, and loans. To be considered for financial aid with CU Denver, complete the application by visiting studentaid.gov and add CU Denver as a school by entering our school code (004508).

Learn More About Applying for Financial Aid

Impacts of Veterans Benefits on Financial Aid

Students may use both veterans benefits and financial aid to pay for their education. Upon completing the free application, a student will be considered for grants, work-study and student loans.

Learn More About the Types of Aid We Offer

Veteran Status and Financial Aid Dependency Status

Applicants are asked a series of questions on the FAFSA to determine a student’s dependency status and if parental information will be required. View the below information for clarification on veteran status for financial aid. Visit student aid on the web to learn more about dependency status on the FAFSA.

    Most veterans education benefits will not impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid and should not be reported on the FAFSA. Learn more about the benefits that shouldn’t be reported on the FAFSA. You do need to report non-education veterans benefits on the FAFSA. Non-education benefits include: disability, death pension, dependency indemnity compensation and/or VA work-study allowances.

    Do not report untaxed combat pay on your FAFSA. Combat pay should be zero for enlisted persons and warrant officers (including commission officers) because their combat pay is entirely non-taxable. For commissioned officers generally, combat pay in excess of the highest enlisted persons’ pay (plus imminent danger/hostile pay) is taxable. Combat pay that was taxable in your adjusted gross income should be reported on the FAFSA so it will not be used to calculate your aid eligibility. For more information about reporting combat pay on the FAFSA visit the Armed Forces’ Tax Guide​.

For Financial Aid Purposes, You’re Considered a Veteran If:

  • You engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes (e.g., called to duty by executive/presidential order), or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and
  • You were released under a condition other than dishonorable.

You Aren’t Considered a Veteran If:

  • You have never engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. Armed Forces,
  • Are currently an ROTC student, a cadet or midshipman at a service academy,
  • Are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for state or training purposes, or
  • Were engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces but released under dishonorable conditions
  • You are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and will continue to serve through June 30 of the applicable FAFSA year.