Frequently Asked Questions

We recognize that there are a lot of questions and uncertainty surrounding the changes implemented by DU to safeguard our community. We want to assure you that even though the majority of our staff are working remotely, and in-person counseling and front desk services are very limited, we are still open and available to help!

How to Contact Us:

We are keeping our regular business hours of 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday (MST). While our response times may be delayed, we are responding to all inquiries as quickly as we can. Email is the the most efficient way to communicate with our office. If you have a question, please send it to finaid@du.edu.

Have questions about registration or dropping a class? Review the Registrar's FAQs.

Find a full list of FAQs and updates related to COVID-19 on the DU Coronavirus page.

• What do I need to do to make sure I receive my aid in the fall?

  To receive your aid, you must accept/decline your aid in PioneerWeb and complete loan requirements (if you accepted a loan). Some other types of aid require additional steps. Be sure you've completed all requirements by following our checklist:

  • Undergraduate student checklist
  • Graduate/law student checklist
• When is the fall bill due?

  The Bursar's Office sent the first bill for fall quarter/semester on Monday, August 3rd to all students who were registered for at least one class. The due date for that bill is August 22nd.

  Bills are sent on a monthly basis, but you can view your current balance and past statements at any time through DUPay. Learn more about DUPay and how to set up an authorized user (such as a parent) through the Bursar's Office website.

• When will my financial aid pay for the fall term?

  Federal regulations prohibit us from disbursing financial aid any earlier than 10 days prior to the start of the term. For the fall quarter, your financial aid will pay to your student account on September 2nd, as long as you're enrolled in classes and all financial aid requirements have been satisfied. For the fall semester (law students), financial aid will pay on August 7th. 

  Learn more about financial aid disbursement and refunds:

  • Undergraduate students
  • Graduate/Law students
• My bill doesn't reflect all of my financial aid. Why?

  This can happen for a few reasons:

  • Aid not accepted: Some types of aid are initially added in "offered" status (such as loans). If you'd like to receive that aid, you must accept it—click on the "Accept/Decline Financial Aid" link on the Student of PioneerWeb.
  • Requirements not completed: If you have outstanding financial aid requirements, it can prevent some types of aid from appearing on the bill. Review the "Financial Aid Requirements" box on the Student tab of PioneerWeb. Anything marked with a red flag requires further action.
  • Not fully enrolled: Many types of aid have a minimum enrollment requirement. For example, undergraduate merit scholarships require full-time enrollment (at least 12 credits). If you aren't enrolled in the minimum amount of credits required for that type of aid, it won't appear as a credit on your bill.

  
  A note about the Residence Hall Grant: Undergraduate students who are not living in DU housing but are still eligible to receive the Residence Hall Grant may not see that grant posted to their student account yet. This includes sophomores who cancelled their Housing and Residential Education contract and students who are not able to study abroad in the fall. We expect to have the Residence Hall Grant posted for these students within the next week, which means it should appear as credit in DUPay after August 11^th. We apologize for the delay and appreciate your patience.

• If I'm a rising 2nd-year student and there is no room for me on campus, will I lose my residence hall grant?

  No. If you had a signed housing contract or were scheduled to study abroad and chose to be released from your contract, or cannot be accommodated due to de-densifying measures, you will retain your residence hall grant. 

• Since I couldn't study abroad, will I still receive my residence hall grant in the fall?

  Yes. We will honor that commitment for the term you were scheduled to study abroad even if there isn’t space on campus. If you had already signed up for campus housing for winter and spring and there isn’t space on campus, you will also receive the residence hall grant for those terms.

• I'm a rising 3rd- or 4th-year student. If I cancel the housing assignment I already selected, will I receive my residence hall grant?

  Yes. If you had a housing contract with DU for the next academic year and cancel it to move off campus, you will receive your residence hall grant.

• How will my financial aid be affected If I chose to exercise the Pass Plus/Pass/No Pass grading option for some or all of my classes for the spring term?

  Choosing the Pass Plus/Pass/No Pass option has no impact on your GPA or cumulative course completion rate, which means it will not affect your requirements to maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Courses for which you receive a standard grade will still be counted in SAP calculations.

  > Undergraduate SAP Policy

  > Graduate/Law SAP Policy

• The COVID-19 pandemic has affected my family’s financial situation. Can I submit an appeal for more financial aid?

  Yes. If you are an undergraduate student and your family has experienced a loss or reduction in wages or employment, you can submit an appeal for re-evaluation of your financial aid offer. Learn more >>

  The Student Assistance Fund is also available to all currently enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate) who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of temporary hardship related to an unexpected situation. Visit Student Outreach and Support for more information.