Frequently Asked Questions

A: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

A: The FAFSA determines eligibility, so you must complete the application each year. After you are admitted to UCCS and we receive your Student Aid Report, we will send you an award letter by mail or to your UCCS email account indicating your award package.

A: UCCS has a priority date of April 1st - this means that, in order to be considered for everything that you might be eligible for, you must have applied online or completed the FAFSA (and mailed it to the processor) by March 1st of each year.

A: To qualify as an independent student, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• You were 23 on or before January 1st
• You are married.
• You have legal dependents.
• You are an orphan or a ward of the court, or a ward of the court until age 18.
• You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• You are active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• You will be enrolled in a graduate or professional program (beyond a bachelor's degree) during the upcoming academic year.

A: You can search Sean's place for current job listings, or see Student Employment for further information. Some work study jobs require a need based work study award. Work study awards are affected by priority date and need (as determined by the FAFSA). You should indicate interest in work study on your FAFSA to be considered for a work study award.

A: The majority of UCCS students are employed during their career here at UCCS. Approximately 1300 students are hired each year for on campus jobs at UCCS and in certain off campus work-study placements. We also list jobs for off campus non-work-study positions as well. Research has found that students who work part-time at 20 hours per week or less, tend to do better academically in college than those who don't work at all and those who work more than 20 hours per week.

We post positions for students to apply for on SEAN's Place (Student Employment Assistance Network)--which is our computerized job bulletin board. For more information on student employment, please see our homepage at www.uccs.edu/stuemp and to view current job listings see SEAN's Place.

A: The first disbursement (after tuition and fees have been taken out) will be electronically deposited the week before classes begin each semester. Your financial aid file must be complete, and entrance counseling done before funds will be disbursed. You can print out an online Direct Deposit Authorization Form, fill it out and deliver it to the Student Financial Services Customer Service Desk in Main Hall.

A: The UCCS Scholarship Application and information about other available scholarships, including deadlines is available online. Use the free private scholarship searches on our webpage to look for other available scholarships.

A: When you complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is calculates an EFC for the family. This is NOT the amount that you write your check to the College/University for payment. This is a calculated amount used to help determine the amount of financial aid that you will be eligible to receive.

A: Yes, you should contact a financial aid counselor at UCCS to via phone or email to look into the matter.

A: We estimate a cost for books of $72/credit hour. Depending on the classes taken/books required, the actual cost may be less or more than this estimate. You may purchase books on a "Layaway" plan at the UCCS bookstore. This works as follows: When textbooks go on sale in the Bookstore, go to the Bookstore, select the textbooks you wish to purchase, take them to the textbook counter, fill out the form, and pay $5 non-refundable deposit (which will be deducted at pick up). Within 2 days of receiving your financial aid refund deposit/check, come in and pick up your books. You may call for an extension if you don't receive your refund deposit/check on the disbursement date.

A: COF stands for the Colorado Opportunity Fund. This is a per credit hour payment for resident of Colorado undergraduate students to help offset the costs for college funded by the state of Colorado. The credit-hour amount will be set annually by the General Assembly. Eligible students must register from the program one time at The COF webpage.

After that, students need to authorize the payment each term they desire to use it as they register for classes for the payment to occur for that term.

For more information, students should contact the Office of Financial Aid/Student Employment located in Room 201 of Cragmor Hall or call (719)255-3460 (or 800-990-8227). E-mail us at finaidse@uccs.edu

Financial Aid Office hours are:
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday - Friday