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In Colorado, DACA and undocumented students are eligible and should apply for:
- State-funded financial aid (such as the Colorado College Responsibility Grant or state-funded workstudy for work-eligible students). To apply, student should complete the CASFA (see below), and additional documents may be requested from the Office of Financial Aid.
- Financial aid directly from the institution (also requires completion of CASFA form and General Scholarship Application), which include scholarships specifically for DACA & undocumented students, such as the Helen Grace Fenhaus or DACA/undocumented Health Opportunities Program scholarship. You can apply for all institutional scholarships using the General Scholarship Application.
- Off-campus state or national scholarship opportunities (see below: “Off-campus Scholarships for Immigrant Students”)
Permanent Residents, citizens, and approved-status refugees/asylees can apply for financial aid using FAFSA. Federal financial aid is currently not available for students with DACA, TPS, or undocumented status.
For the 22/23 academic year, DACA-status, undocumented, and international students need to complete the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid form to apply for financial aid form the state or the school. This income assessment form assesses the financial need for the student’s household and tax or income information is needed to complete this document, and it needs to be completed for each academic year.
The student also needs to complete the General Scholarship Application every year.
For more information on financial, please refer to the Office of Financial Aid. or make an appointment with Immigrant Services to get help completing the form:
https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/
Since October 2020, DACA & undocumented students who are eligible for in-state tuition are also able to apply for state financial aid through an online application called the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). You can apply for the CASFA here.
What is CASFA? Colorado
The Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) is a safe, confidential, and easy way to apply for state financial aid or workstudy, and/or financial aid directly from MSU Denver.
Who should complete the application?
You should complete the CASFA if you are a graduate or undergraduate student in Colorado who is not eligible for financial aid from FAFSA. This includes:
* DACA & Undocumented students * Non-resident students * International students
When should I complete it?
CASFA becomes available each year in October to apply for financial aid for next year’s fall and spring semester. For example, the CASFA to apply for aid for the ‘24 fall and ‘25 spring semester became available in December 2023, and it is a good idea to complete as soon as you can.
What do I need to complete the CASFA?
To complete the 2024/25 CASFA, you will need your – and potentially your parents’ – 2022 federal tax return or income information. Males between 18 and 25 also need to complete the Selective Service Registration: www.sss.gov/register/
For more information and help completing the CASFA, check out this walkthrough or this video tutorial!
The guide “Scholarships for Immigrant Students” provides an overview over some national, state, and local (off-campus) scholarships and links or instructions on how to apply. We usually update this guide once a year. Let us know if we can help with the application process or, if needed, with your essay!