Scholarships

CU Denver scholarships open October 1 of the year prior. Scholarship deadlines will vary by scholarship. Opportunities are added regularly.

To be considered for need-based scholarships, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1.

If you do not have a citizenship status that allows you to be considered for financial aid, complete our Alternate Aid Application in lieu of the FAFSA.

As a CU Denver student, you have exclusive access to Scholarship Universe. The application allows you to apply for scholarships offered by private donors.

Log into Scholarship Universe using your university login credentials.

Scholarships deadlines vary by donor and opportunities are available year round. Keep in mind that a typical scholarship season is September through March the year prior to the funding year.

Scholarship Universe Application Updates

We will begin reviewing scholarship applications April 1, 2022

• When considering applicants, the university considers academic history, scholarship essays, resumes, and other applicable materials. 
• We will begin awarding scholarships April 25th.
• If selected for a scholarship, you will be notified by university email.
• If you applied for a scholarship through your specific school or college, your school or college will communicate updates directly.
• Please note: Application deadlines and requirements may differ for scholarships through your specific school or college

Scholarship Universe Award Notifications: If offered a scholarship, monitor your university email for next steps:

• Accept your scholarship award in the Scholarship Universe Portal
• Complete additional steps, such as writing a thank you letter to the scholarship donor

Private External Scholarship Awards: If you are awarded a scholarship from a private donor, please follow the these steps:

• Connect with the donor to have payments sent to the below mailing address:
  
  University of Colorado Denver
  Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
  Campus Box 125
  PO Box 173364
  Denver, CO 80217
  
  
• Make note of expected scholarships in the Self-Reported Aid section of your student portal.
  
• To avoid late fees: External checks must arrive at CU Denver by the first day of classes to guarantee they are processed to your account before the tuition due date. External scholarship payments that arrive after the first day of class may result in late fees.