Students Eligible under Colorado ASSET Bill and/or DACA

Financial Aid Application for Undocumented Colorado Students

There is an online application that allows ASSET students to apply for state and university-provided aid at Colorado universities. See 'How to Apply' for details.

The University of Colorado Boulder providesÌýsome grant and work-studyÌýassistanceÌýfor Colorado resident students who are eligible under the Colorado Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) Bill or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Nonresident students are ineligible for need-based assistance or the Colorado ASSET Bill benefit, but are encouraged to apply for scholarships.ÌýInformation on applying for aidÌýis also available in Spanish (ÌýÌýÌý solicitud de ayuda financiera disponible en español).

ASSET vs. DACA

  • ASSET: Effective Fall 2013, undocumented students who (for example, attended a Colorado high school for at least 1 year & graduated from a Colorado high school) under the Colorado ASSET bill can apply for state and university-funded financial aid. These students will be identified through the admissions application process.
  • DACA: EligibleÌýstudents may for deferred action for a period of two years and would then be eligible for work authorization (making them eligible to be considered for work-study aid).

Students who qualify for ASSET do not automatically qualify for DACA, and vice versa. A student may qualify for one but not the other, qualify for both, or qualify for neither.

How to Apply

ASSET students can apply for state and university aid each year beginning Oct.Ìý1 by completing the ASSET Financial Aid Application, known as the CASFA. You will be prompted to create an account with Colorado Department of Higher Education the first time you access the application.

ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýInformación en EspañolÌý

ASSET students should complete the CASFA instead of the FAFSA. If you already completed the FAFSA, you do NOT need to complete both applications. For assistance, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Types of Aid

Grants and Scholarships

Depending on your eligibility (including enrollment and financial need) and available funding,ÌýASSET students may receive either the CU Promise grant (beginning Fall 2020) or a combination of CU Boulder-funded and Colorado state-funded grants ranging from $2,400 - $10,300 per year. You're also eligible to apply for theÌýFirst Generation Scholarship.

Work-Study

DACA students may be eligible for state-funded work-study up to $3,000. ASSET students with DACA may be eligible for both grant funding (through ASSET) and work-study (through DACA).

Please note that ASSET and/or DACA students are not eligible for federal funding, including grants or loans.

Summer Aid

ASSET students are eligible to be considered for the CU Achieve Summer Grant Program.

Scholarships & Other Financial Assistance

Any CU Boulder Scholarships you have or will receive based on your admissions application (i.e. automatic consideration scholarships) will not impact your ASSET/DACA status.

The CU Boulder Scholarship Application is available until March 15Ìýwith some scholarships with deadlines as early as Feb.Ìý15. Most scholarships do not require U.S. citizenship. ASSET students are considered for scholarships that require Colorado residency, including theÌýFirst Generation Scholarship. For a list of scholarships available through this application, view the .

Here are a few resources:

Students receiving private scholarships from outside the university should follow the instructions toÌýsend us scholarship moneyÌýforÌýprocessing.

Once admitted to CU Boulder, ASSET students should follow the instructions listed on the Registrar's website on how to apply for COF, which is a state benefit that reduces the amount of undergraduate in-state tuition you pay.

The CU Boulder Student Relief Fund provides temporary support to students who face legal barriers that prevent access to federal or state financial aid and who are experiencing a financial hardship that prohibits them for obtaining their education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Students with ASSET/DACA status are encouraged to apply and will receive preference.

Estimated 2025-26ÌýTimeline

  • Beginning in August: Apply for Admission. The deadline for first-yearÌýapplicants to apply for fall is January 15.
  • December:ÌýApply for financial aid by completing the as soon as possible. The CASFA would usually open on October 1, but this year it's expected to open in DecemberÌýfor the upcoming school year. Applications received by March 1 will be considered for the most financial aid.
  • November 1: Apply for scholarships through the CU Boulder Scholarship Application. Deadline to apply is March 15, though some scholarships have earlier deadlines.Ìý
  • Early March:ÌýFinancial aid offers begin to send to all new and continuing students.
  • May: Submit your official high school transcripts to the Admissions Office. Be sure to request your transcripts before you graduate high school and leave for the summer.
  • Prior to first day of class: Apply for College Opportunity Fund (COF).
Ìý View

Quick Links

Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌý Forms
Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌý Document Upload
Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌý FAQs
Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýÌýÌý Contact Us