Financial Aid

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans. But, since aid is limited, you have to meet the deadlines! Even if you are sure you will not receive federal student aid, it is recommended to complete the FAFSA. Schools can be more generous in giving aid, but they need your financial information to determine what they will give. The "rule of thumb" for the FAFSA is submit it soon. There is only so much money available each year and money is dispersed on a first-come basis. Once the money runs out for the year, no more will be given... regardless of the deadline.

FAFSA Opening Date: 

The 2026-2027 FAFSA should open around October 1, 2025.

To prepare for the opening of the FAFSA, please review this web page outlining what you need to know before starting the application process. Also, review these FAFSA Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid before completing the FAFSA. 

Federal Deadlines for the 2026-27 Academic Year:

The sooner you complete your FAFSA application, the better, but be aware of these deadlines. 

College Deadlines:

Each college may have its own deadline. Check with the Financial Aid Office of the college(s) you're interested in attending.  Do NOT wait for a deadline - as state above - most financial aid offers go out between February and July.  If you wait until the deadline to submit your financial aid application, you may miss out on awards made in the Spring!

FAFSA Eligibility:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.  (If you are not - see the CAFSA section below)

• You must have a valid Social Security number.

• You must have a high school diploma or GED certificate.

• You must be enrolled or accepted as a student in an eligible degree or certificate program.

Completing the FAFSA:

• Students must create an FSA ID. You must know your 9-digit Social Security number. Be sure to remember/save your FSA ID. This serves as your e-signature when submitting the FAFSA.

• Review this webpage for Guidance on Filling Out the FAFSA.

• Parents who provide information for a student's FAFSA must also create a FSA ID. Be sure to remember/save your FSA ID.

• For the 2026-27 FAFSA form, you will need your 2024 Federal Income Tax, or copies of all 2024 W-2 forms. FAFSA uses the tax returns from 2 years prior to the fall semester for starting college. (ex. starting college in Fall of 2026 = tax returns from 2024)

• For the purposes of FAFSA, the parent section must be completed by a biological parent, legally adopted parent, or step-parent.

• Legal guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. cannot complete the parent section of the FAFSA, unless they are one of the above relations. 

Getting Help:

• In the online FAFSA form, select the question mark icon next to a FAFSA question to view a "tool tip" that provides information about how to answer that question.

• Visit the “FAFSA® Help” to find answers to common questions.

• In the online form, chat with Aidan®, the virtual assistant.

• Chat with, email, or find a phone number for the Federal Student Aid Information Center.

• Contact the financial aid office at the college or career/trade school you plan to attend.

• Our CEC CR College Partner - ACC - offers FAFSA workshops to enrolled students and their parents!  See your Advisor to help you sign up!

What is CASFA?

The Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) is a safe, CONFIDENTIAL, and easy way to apply for state financial aid or work study, and/or financial aid.

Who should complete the application?

Colorado undergraduate and graduate students who are not eligible for financial aid from FAFSA. This includes: 

                     *DACA & Undocumented students                                  *Non-citizen students                              *International students

When should I complete it?

The 2024-25 CASFA is open! To apply for financial aid for next year's fall and spring semesters, it is a good idea to complete the form as soon as you can.

What do I need to complete the CASFA?

To complete the 2024-25 CASFA, you will need your (and potentially your parents') 2022 federal tax return or income information. Males between 18 and 25 also need to complete the Selective Service Registration: https://www.sss.gov/register/ 

What should I do AFTER completing the CASFA?

1. Connect with the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend to confirm they have received the CASFA and find out the next steps.

2. Complete a scholarship application at the school you will attend. Make sure you have applied for COF (one time only) and authorize your school to access your COF.

3. Meet with an Advisor or support office at the school you will attend for next steps in taking classes and accessing resources to help you be a better student.

CASFA Application Link: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/preparing-for-college/colorado-application-for-state-financial-aid 

CASFA Walk Through - The following link will take you to a brief tutorial with screenshots of the CASFA.

What if I am an undocumented student?

Please find additional information that can be helpful on the following websites:

• UndocuHub

• Immigrant Services Program through MSU

The Profile form is administered by the College Scholarship Service (CSS), the financial aid division of the College Board. The CSS Profile is required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans, and scholarships.

*Please note: The Profile is only for specific colleges (around 240 private colleges), and is not required by all schools. Please check with your chosen universities to see if they require the CSS Profile.

The CSS Profile is NOT the FAFSA. Here are key differences:

• Specific questions: The CSS Profile contains questions specific to the school or program you're applying to; FAFSA contains the same questions for everyone.

• Different methodology: The CSS Profile determines your financial need differently than the FAFSA, taking into account such factors as whether your family owns a home. In general, the CSS Profile asks for more detailed information than FAFSA.

• Minimum student contribution: The CSS Profile requires this; the FAFSA doesn't.

• Greater reliance on professional judgment: The CSS Profile gives financial aid counselors greater freedom to grant aid based on a student's particular circumstances.

• Cost: There is a cost to filling out the CSS Profile, though some families may qualify for fee waivers; the FAFSA, as the name implies, is free.

How to Understand Your Financial Aid Letter -  this link will take you to a webpage that explains the components of a financial aid letter

"Comparing College Financial Aid Offers" Spreadsheet

Directions: Use this LINK to access the "Comparing College Financial Aid Offers" spreadsheet. Download it to your computer and save it as a copy. If you forget to save the spreadsheet as a copy, your specific data might be available for others to view. Input information from your financial aid award letters in order to determine how much you will need to pay out of pocket for a specific school. There are 2 tabs at the bottom of the spreadsheet labeled "Instructions" and "Comparing financial offers, calculator". Click on the "Instructions" tab first and read through each of the sections to understand how to complete the fields in the spreadsheet. Click on the "Comparing financial offers, calculator" to enter your specific information provided in your financial aid letter. 

You can appeal the initial offer if you really want to attend that school but need more aid, and you can get schools to compete for you if one school makes a higher offer, you can see if your top choice school will match it!

All CEC students should set up a COF account as part of applying to CEC.  If not then, it can be created when they take their first college class with one of our college partners. When applying to four year universities and a question about COF is asked, you will indicate on the application that you already have a COF account and you authorize the university to access your COF. COF will be available for your college and/or vocational trade classes until your allotment of money has been used.  Please note that CEC is utilizing COF funding to assist in paying for your concurrent enrollment college credits.  There is a LIMIT to how many college credits that COF covers.  We want to protect this funding for you, so that you have enough covered credits left to complete your Bachelors degree after you graduate from CEC.

To learn more about the COF click here.