Financial Aid Policies

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

For a FERPA release, click here and select "FERPA Disclosure Form". Complete the form, and return it to the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment.

The University of Colorado complies fully with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) or 1974. The act was designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records in all offices, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the FERPA office concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the act.

Some students find it helpful to have a parent or spouse contact the UCCS Financial Aid/Student Employment Office in order to inquire about specific information regarding their financial aid file. In order to help in the process the Financial Aid/Student Employment Office has developed the FERPA Disclosure Request Form.

Students only need to complete the Student Financial Aid Information FERPA Disclosure Request form if they wish to give another individual(s) permission to be given information about the contents of their financial aid file. No information regarding the student's academic performance or progress will be given out regardless of the consent form being signed. All other financial aid information may be given out to the individuals listed on this form.

Appeals Process

There is a committee of faculty, staff, and students who review a student's appeal when they have not met the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. Appeals are submitted to the Financial Aid Office.
The recommendation of the committee as to whether to grant or deny the appeal is forwarded to the Director of Financial Aid. The student is then notified in writing of the final disposition of the appeal. If the student wishes to appeal further after having followed the appropriate appeal procedures, he or she may appeal to the Executive Director of Student Support and Judicial Affairs.

Other types of appeals are considered in financial aid besides Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
The forms for these appeals can be found on the online forms section of our web site. These appeals can be for many types of circumstances and for different types of aid. Depending on the type of appeal that it is, for example work-study appeal or loan appeal, will determine which department it will be reviewed by. Appeals are looked at in some cases as a first come first serve, incoming date, or a need-based process depending on the type of appeal that it is. Please talk to the financial aid office for details. All appeal decisions are documented and communicated to the student by e-mail.

Review & Cancellation

The University reserves the right to review and cancel awards at any time because of changes in financial, academic, residency status, availability of funds, or any other factor that would affect a student's eligibility for aid. The Financial Aid Office may also require repayment of aid in certain other situations.

Drug Convictions and Federal Aid

According to federal law, students with certain drug-related convictions are ineligible for federal student aid if the drug offense occurred while the student was receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and /or work study).

Students who are convicted of possession of illegal drugs are ineligible for federal aid for one year from the date of conviction. Upon the second offense, the student will be ineligible for two years from the date of the second conviction. Upon a third offense, the student will be prevented from receiving federal aid indefinitely.

Students who are convicted of sale of illegal drugs may not receive federal aid for two years from the date of conviction. After a second offense, the student will be prevented from receiving federal aid indefinitely.

Convictions that occurred before the student turned 18, or that were otherwise reversed, set aside, or removed from a student's record are not counted for the purposes of federal aid eligibility determination.

Students may regain eligibility by participating in a qualified drug rehabillitation program. More information is available on the FAFSA drug conviction page.

Academic Standards

For the academic standards policy, click here

Students applying for, and those receiving Federal and State of Colorado financial aid from UCCS are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. This policy deals with required completion rate, maximum semester hours that are fundable and minimum grade point average.

Refund and Repayment

For the refund and repayment policy, click here

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' refund policy is based on the policy requirements stated in federal regulations (34 CFR 668.22), and is titled Return of Title IV Funds.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

For the student rights and responsibilities policy, click here