Financial Aid
Financial aid is awarded to assist students and parents with meeting college costs such as tuition, fees, books, food, housing and transportation. The Office of Financial Aid (www.unco.edu/ofa) administers several types of state and federal aid programs including grants, loans, employment, and scholarships.
Educational Loans. UNC participates in the following programs: Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). Eligibility for Federal Perkins Loans and Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans is based upon need, as determined by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.fafsa.gov. PLUS Loans, while not based upon need, do require approved credit by the US Department of Education. Loan funds plus interest must be repaid, usually after graduation. Some loans have cancellation and deferment provisions.
Grant Funds. Grant funds are awarded on the basis of financial need. These funds do not require repayment unless the student does not complete the term in which the funds are received. Grant funds available at UNC include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Colorado Student Grant, Colorado Graduate Grant and the Colorado Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program.
Student Employment. UNC offers a number of employment opportunities. Federal and State Work Study programs provide on- and off-campus jobs to students demonstrating financial need. Colorado No-Need Work Study is available on a limited basis to undergraduate Colorado residents who do not qualify for other forms of financial assistance. Students who do not qualify for Work Study programs can find part-time hourly positions both at the university and off-campus.
Scholarships. Scholarship funds do not have to be repaid and are usually awarded on the basis of academic performance, talent, athletic ability and other criteria determined by the donor.