Applying for Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid starts with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for federal grants, loans, and work study, as well as state and institutional aid. It is free to apply and it only takes on application each year to be reviewed for all eligible aid. Be sure to submit your FAFSA before the priority deadline for maximum consideration.

The FAFSA form is completed on studentaid.gov. The student and at least one parent contributor (for dependent students) will need a unique login for this website. The studentaid.gov login is called a FSA ID. You must provide your legal name, social security number, and date of birth to set up your FSA ID. If your parent does not have a social security number, there are other ways they can set up their FSA ID. 

The student should start the FAFSA. After completing their section, they will be asked to provide contributor information if they are dependent undergraduate students. They must provide the parent information for at least one parent. 

Priority Deadlines
New Incoming Students: March 1st
Continuing Mines Students: April 1st

Click here to understand how the FAFSA impacts your financial aid award.

The FAFSA is required annually to be considered for grants, loans, work study, and some scholarships including the Mines Promise. 

If you are an undocumented student that does NOT qualify for federal aid, you can still apply for financial aid from the state of Colorado by completing the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). If you are eligible to receive aid through the FAFSA, you are not eligible for CASFA aid and should not submit an application. Submitting both a CASFA and a FAFSA will delay your aid offer from Mines.

Who can apply?
Students who meet the Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) designation and who have resided in Colorado for at least twelve (12) months and graduated from a Colorado high school may complete a CASFA. The CASFA determines your eligibility for state and institutional aid. For full financial consideration, your CASFA must be on file in our office by the respective priority deadlines shown below.

How do you apply?
Create an account through the CASFA Application Page. If you do not have a SSN or ITIN, you can leave that information blank. Once you have completed your application and you have been admitted to Mines, you should receive information from financial aid about your eligibility within a month. If you have not heard from financial aid and a month has passed since you completed your application and you were admitted, please email [email protected] to let us know you have completed your application.

Priority Deadlines
New Incoming Students: March 1st
Continuing Mines Students: April 1st

You will need to file the CASFA every year to be considered for financial aid.

New First-Year/Transfer students
The priority deadline for incoming students is March 1.

Returning students
Continuing student deadline to submit the FAFSA is April 1.

Click here for information about summer financial aid.

Step 1 Complete the FAFSA! 

• Parents and the student should apply for a FSA ID so the student’s FAFSA can be “signed” electronically. Married parents may EACH need their own FSA ID if they did not file taxes jointly. Only one parent in a divorce situation needs an FSA ID, but if they are remarried, the current spouse may also need an FSA ID if they did not file taxes jointly.
• File the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. The FAFSA will be available beginning in October. Check studentaid.gov for more information. The FAFSA is typically processed within 3-5 business days.  Because the FAFSA uses prior-prior year tax information, your IRS tax information should automatically load into the FAFSA. Do not enter manual tax info if you are not required to. 
• List Colorado School of Mines’ school code (001348) in the ‘School Section’ of FAFSA so we receive your data electronically.

Step 2 Review Processed Email

You will receive an email notification from the Department of Education confirming that your FAFSA has been processed.  Please be sure to read the entire email as the errors will appear toward the end. These errors may delay the processing of your financial aid award.  Please contact our office if you have any questions.

Step 3 Read Aid Announcement Materials

First Year & Transfer students
Within a month of acceptance you should receive your financial aid announcement email from the Financial Aid office. We will also mail an aid announcement if your FAFSA was filed by the priority deadline.  The aid announcement email will direct you to your offer in Trailhead. The mailed announcement notifies you of the types and amounts of financial aid you are eligible to receive at Mines.  Instructions on how to accept or decline your financial aid, along with instructions on how to apply for loans, will be sent in early June. 

Returning students
By mid-June you will be able to access your Trailhead account and review the types and amounts of financial aid you are eligible to receive for the upcoming academic year.  If student loans are included with your financial aid package you will be able to accept, decline or reduce the amounts through your Trailhead account.  Award letters will not be mailed.

Step 4 Complete Next Steps

Be sure to pay attention to information received by the Financial Aid Office, especially from [email protected].  Emails will be sent to the student’s Mines email account if additional information or documentation is required.

Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of financial aid that you earn through merit, athletics, application, or enrollment in a program (like ROTC).  They can come from Mines or from outside sources, but all scholarships are considered financial aid.  Visit our scholarship page for more information.  

Work Study

Mines’ work study program provides funding for part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay their educational expenses.

Grants

A grant is a form of financial aid that does not need to be repaid based on your FAFSA each year.  If you are eligible for grant aid, your package may include a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants.

Loans

A loan is a form of financial aid that must be repaid, with interest.  If you or your parents are interested in any type of loan we recommend completing the FAFSA first so our office can provide you with the best loan options.