Frequently Asked Questions about Applying for Aid:

- How do I apply for financial aid at CSU?


  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA at www. fafsa.gov
  • Be admitted to a degree-seeking student to Colorado State University.

- What is the deadline to apply for financial aid at CSU?


  • We recommend that the FAFSA be submitted by March 1.
  • Use completed federal tax returns when completing the FAFSA.

- I know I won't qualify for financial aid; should I apply?


  • All admitted students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will qualify for financial aid; the type of financial aid is based on the student's eligibility.
  • We encourage all students to apply to allow for consideration of life changes.

- If my parents are divorced or separated, whose information should I use on the FAFSA?


  • Use the information of the parent with whom you lived with the most the last 12 months.
  • If you did not live with either parent more than the other, use the parent that provided the most financial support during the last 12 months.

- Will scholarships reduce the amount of financial aid I can receive?


  • Yes, scholarships are treated as an outside resource that may reduce a student's need for other financial aid.

- Why am I only receiving loans?


  • All eligible, admitted students who complete the FAFSA qualify for some type of loan.
  • Students who do not demonstrate financial need qualify for an unsubsidized student loan and Parent PLUS loans.

- Is it possible to get a second Federal Pell Grant in one year?


  • If you are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and accelerate the completion of your degree program by attending consecutive terms that include at least one summer term, you may be eligible to receive funds from a second Pell award in one award year.
  • In order to be eligible for a payment from the second Pell award, you must be enrolled at least half-time (minimum of 6 credits) and you must have successfully completed 24 credits in the first two terms of the award year. (Colorado State University defines an academic year as 24 credits for federal financial aid purposes.) Do not include courses with grades of F, I or W or placement and test-out credits when calculating the number of credits successfully completed.
  • If you do not successfully complete 24 credits in the first two terms of the award year, you may be eligible to receive payment from the second Pell award if the total number of credits successfully completed in the first two terms plus the number of credits enrolled in the third term are greater than 24 and you are enrolled at least half-time in the third term.
  • For example, you complete 9 credits in the summer term and 9 credits in the fall semester and receive disbursements from your first Federal Pell Grant for both terms; you must enroll in at least seven credits in the spring to receive funds from the second Pell award (six credits to finish the first academic year plus additional credits that count toward the second academic year).
  • Payment for all terms in which a student is eligible to receive a Pell Grant is calculated according to the appropriate Pell grant formula and enrollment for the term.

- Can students working on second bachelor's degrees or teacher certification receive financial aid?


  • Yes, students working on second bachelor's degrees or teacher certification can qualify for student loans, Parent PLUS loans and student employment opportunities.
  • Follow all steps for Applying for Aid.

- What is Colorado State University's FAFSA school code?


  • 001350 is the FAFSA school code for CSU.

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