Application Process

Graduate Financial Aid

While the financial aid application process can sometimes seem intimidating, we'll provide you with the resources and guidance you need to complete every step of the way.

Steps to Apply

  1. Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID: Students will sign up for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID, which will be used every year on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and for Master Promissory Notes (MPNs) for federal student loans.

    Create an FSA ID
     
  2. Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid and is required if you wish to tap into federal student loans. DU's school code for the FAFSA is 001371. We highly recommend using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which will quickly import your tax information directly into the FAFSA.

    Submit the FAFSA

    Which FAFSA should I submit?
    1. For students starting in the fall of 2023 or later, submit the 2023-2024 FAFSA.
    2. For students starting in the winter, spring, or summer of 2022, submit the 2022-2023 FAFSA.
       
  3. Submit Supporting Documentation: We sometimes need to ask for additional documentation in order to verify that the information on your application is accurate. If we need further information, we'll send you an email. You must submit all requested documents before we can finalize your financial aid offer. Outstanding requirements can also be viewed on your MyDU dashboard.
     

 

 
Anderson Academic Commons

Priority Deadlines

  • Incoming students applying for fall admission: January 15
  • Incoming students applying for winter, spring or summer admission: no priority deadline — apply as soon as possible
  • Returning students: March 15

Why apply by the priority deadline?

For new students, applying by the priority deadline means that if you're admitted to DU, you'll receive your aid offer in early March or soon after you're admitted (whichever comes later). For continuing students, it means you can expect to receive your aid offer in early June. If you miss the priority deadline, you'll decrease your chances of receiving sought-after types of financial aid such as work-study, which draw from a limited pool of funding. You should still apply as soon as possible to get your aid offer!

 

Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students to transfer tax return information directly into their FAFSA and makes completing the application much easier. Review the steps to using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool for instructions.

Learn more

Verification

If you have been selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education, we must collect further documentation before we can send you a financial aid offer. We'll notify you via email if we need additional information.

Learn More
 

When to Expect Your Financial Aid Offer

In order to receive a financial aid offer, you must be admitted to the University and have applied for aid.

Start Term When to Expect Aid Offer
Winter 2022 Sent weekly to students who were recently admitted or applied for aid
Spring 2022 Early January
Summer 2022 Mid-March
Fall 2023 - Prospective students Early March or soon after you're admitted (whichever comes later)
Fall 2023 - Current DU students Early June
 
students walking on campus

Frequently Asked Questions

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Financial Aid

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