Skip navigation
Undergraduate Financial Aid

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Learn how to apply for financial aid.

View of the Mary Reed Building

The University of Denver provides substantial financial aid distributed among students with a wide range of family income levels. With the information collected through your financial aid application, we're able to take into account the entire financial situation of your family when determining your eligibility for need-based aid.

The first step in the process is to apply for aid. Remember that you should reapply for aid as early as possible every year you attend DU.

Steps to Apply for the 2013-14 Academic Year

Step 1: Apply for admission to the University of Denver.

We cannot process your financial aid application until you are officially admitted to the University.

Learn more about undergraduate admission >>

Step 2: Apply for a U.S. Department of Education PIN.

Students and parents should both have their own PIN. If you have forgotten your PIN from a previous year, the site listed above will help you retrieve it. You will use this PIN every year you apply for financial aid and to complete Master Promissory Notes for federal student loans.

Go to the PIN application >>

Step 3: Complete the 2013-14 FAFSA.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal aid. We strongly encourage you to use the IRS data retrieval process when completing your FAFSA. Using this process will quickly transfer your 2012 tax return data directly into your application, and may prevent you from having to submit further documentation from the IRS.

Go to the FAFSA >>

Step 4: Complete the 2013-14 CSS PROFILE.

This application is used to determine your eligibility for institutional aid. If your parents are divorced or separated, the Noncustodial Parent PROFILE must also be completed. ( Note: This step is not required for students in The Women's College or University College.)

Go to the CSS PROFILE >>

Step 5: Submit all IDOC requirements to College Board (new undergraduates only).

Once you have completed steps 1-4, you will receive an email from College Board with information about your IDOC (College Board's Institutional Documentation Service) requirements. Print and mail your IDOC Cover Sheet and other requested materials directly College Board. ( Note: This step is not required for students in The Women's College or University College.)

Learn more about IDOC >>

Applying for financial aid by the priority deadlines listed below will increase your chances of receiving highly sought-after awards such as the Perkins loan and work-study. Because these types of aid have such limited funding, we are not able to offer them to everyone who may otherwise be qualified. If you have missed the priority deadline, you should still apply as soon as possible.

You may be selected for verification once your application is submitted. You will be notified via email if you are selected, and should submit the additional requested documentation as soon as possible.

Annual Financial Aid Application Timeline

  • October 1st: Earliest date to complete the CSS PROFILE
  • January 1st: Earliest date to complete the FAFSA
  • February 15th: Priority deadline for new students to apply for financial aid
  • March 1st: Priority deadline for new students to submit all requirements to IDOC
  • March 15th: Priority deadline for continuing students to apply for financial aid
  • Late March: We begin sending financial aid award notifications to new students
  • April 1st: Priority deadline for continuing students to submit verification documents (if requested)
  • Late May: We begin sending financial aid award notifications to continuing students

View complete financial aid timeline >>