Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA)
Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow
In 2019, the General Assembly passed H.B. 19-1196, Financial Aid For Students With In-state Tuition, which allows state aid to be awarded to students who do not have lawful immigration status but have resided in the state for at least three years before graduating from a Colorado high school or passing a high school equivalency exam. The Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) is the application by which students that meet the qualifications can apply for this aid. Students who do not have lawful immigration status and who do not meet the qualifications listed above are also encouraged to apply for institutional aid using the CASFA. Students who are eligible for Federal Title IV aid by completing the FAFSA should not complete the CAFSA.
Complete the CASFA Application
FAQ:
Advancing Students for a Stronger TomorrowIn 2019, the General Assembly passed H.B. 19-1196, Financial Aid For Students With In-state Tuition, which allows state aid to be awarded to students who do not have lawful immigration status but have resided in the state for at least three years before graduating from a Colorado high school or passing a high school equivalency exam. The Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) is the application by which students that meet the qualifications can apply for this aid. Students who do not have lawful immigration status and who do not meet the qualifications listed above are also encouraged to apply for institutional aid using the CASFA. Students who are eligible for Federal Title IV aid by completing the FAFSA should not complete the CAFSA.
Complete the CASFA Application
FAQ:
CASFA is a safe, easy way to apply for state financial aid if you are a Colorado ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow) student. Non-U.S. citizen resident and non-resident students can use the CASFA to apply for institutional aid.
The purpose of the CASFA is to determine need for financial aid awarding purposes
to students historically left out of receiving state and federal financial aid. CASFA
positively supports families and is a logical next step in efforts to erase equity
gaps and put college in reach for the families who benefit most from a postsecondary
education. CASFA also supports the department’s efforts to make college more affordable
by reducing the cost of obtaining a credential and maximizing a student’s higher education
investment.
Beginning on October 1, 2020, students were able to apply for the CASFA.
Click here to fill out an application.
Click here to fill out an application.
Non-U.S. citizen resident and non-resident students can file a CASFA to qualify for
institutional aid.
State aid, including grants and work-study funds, help open the door to higher education
for students who have attended high school in Colorado but who are not eligible for
federal financial aid.
YES. If you do not meet the qualifications of ASSET (SB 13-033), you may still be
eligible for institutional aid. Completing the CASFA will help determine your eligibility
for institutional aid.
Please contact the financial aid office at the institution you’re applying to if you
should have any specific questions about the application. Should you have any technical
difficulties with your account contact CASFA@dhe.state.co.us. CDHE will not be able
to answer detailed questions about the application at this time.