Grants

Grants are a type of financial aid award that you don’t need to repay. Students must be enrolled at least half-time to receive the grant unless specified.

Note: Each semester, grant aid is “locked” at the main session census date. Grant aid is adjusted based on enrollment at the time of census. If students add classes after the main census date - including “five-week” or “eight-week” sessions - grant aid will not be recalculated. 

Federal Grants

    The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides $4,000 per year in grant funding for qualified students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students who are from low-income families.

    TEACH Grants first disbursed on or after October 1, 2020 and before October 1, 2026 are subject to a 5.7% reduction of the student’s calculated award.

    The award amounts reflecting the 5.7% reduction are listed below.

    • Undergraduate Study: Up to $4,000 per year for first baccalaureate degree to a maximum of $16,000; the award amount with a
      5.7% reduction is $3,772.00.
    • Graduate Study: Up to $4,000 per year for first graduate degree up to a maximum of $8,000; the award amount with a 5.7%
      reduction is $3,772.00.

    If students fail to complete the four-year teaching requirement within eight years of completing or ceasing their program of study, the grant reverts to an Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and will need to be repaid with interest. The interest rate that will apply to a TEACH Grant that has been converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan will be the rate that was in effect for Direct Unsubsidized Loans on the date the TEACH Grant was first disbursed, with the interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

    Student Eligibility Requirements:

    To receive a TEACH Grant students must:

    • Complete the FAFSA and meet basic eligibility criteria for federal student aid programs, although they do not have to demonstrate financial need
    • Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
    • Meet one of the following academic achievement requirements:
      • Score above the 75% percentile on a college admissions test (ACT or SAT) OR
      • Graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 as a freshman OR
      • Have an earned transfer cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 as a transfer student OR
      • Have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 through the most recent payment period of your college coursework to receive a grant for each subsequent term
    • Be enrolled in a program of study designated as TEACH Grant eligible. Eligible programs are those that prepare a student to teach in a high-need area such as Special Education
    • Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and respond to requests by the U.S. Department of Education confirming your continuing intention to meet the teaching obligation by performing the teaching service at a low-income school for a total of at least four of the eight years following academic program completion
    • Complete a TEACH Grant counseling session.

    How to apply:

    You may contact the Financial Aid & Scholarship office and ask for a review of your academic record based on the minimum requirements listed above. If you meet these requirements and are interested in applying for a TEACH Grant you must complete the following steps:

    1. Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    2. Complete the TEACH Grant Interest form.
    3. Complete the Initial Counseling for TEACH Grant
    4. Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS)

State Grants

  • Colorado Student Grant - Awarded to eligible undergraduate students who are Colorado residents with documented financial need as demonstrated through the FAFSA, awarded by CU Denver and funded by the Colorado General Assembly. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours to receive this award. Students awards are limited to $5,000 annually and dependent on enrollment status and Student Aid Index (SAI).  
  • Colorado Graduate Grant - Awarded to eligible graduate/professional students who are Colorado residents with documented financial need as demonstrated through the FAFSA, awarded by CU Denver and funded by the Colorado General Assembly. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of four (4) credit hours to receive this award. Student awards are dependent on enrollment status and Student Aid Index (SAI) and limited by funding allocation.

Institutional Grants

  • University Need ​Grant - Awarded to eligible Colorado Resident CU Denver undergraduate students with documented financial need as demonstrated through the FAFSA.​ Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours to receive the University Need Grant.
  • Lynx Grant - Awarded to eligible Colorado Resident CU Denver undergraduate students with documented financial need as demonstrated through the FAFSA. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours to receive the Lynx Grant.

Please note: The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Colorado Graduate Grant, Colorado Student Grant, University Need Grant, and Lynx Grant are offered based on funding availability and are not guaranteed. Complete your financial aid application and any requested documentation as early as possible to be considered for the best funding available.