The Office of Financial Aid doesn’t process GI Bill benefits but we collaborate closely with Military & Veterans Educational Benefits Office. For direct support on your benefits, we recommend that you reach out to that team for further information.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships for military-connected students are available via the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA) from October 1 to March 1, each year.
Residency Options
Residency options are available for military members and their dependents or veterans and their dependents who meet eligibility criteria. There are also residency options tied to GI Bill. Visit the Veterans Educational Benefits Office residency page for more information.
On-Campus Resources
A comprehensive list of on-campus resources for military-connected students is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive both GI Bill educational benefits and financial aid?
Yes, military-connected students can receive financial aid and GI Bill educational benefits. Visit our Getting Started page for next steps on applying for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What expenses will my financial aid cover?
Your cost of attendance may include allowances for modest housing, books, transportation, etc. If your tuition and fees are covered by GI Bill, financial aid is refunded directly to you after your GI Bill benefits have been processed. Reach out to us if you have higher housing costs, childcare, or other expenses that traditional students may not have. There may be an opportunity to adjust financial aid.
Why do I need financial aid if I have GI Bill benefits?
You will only receive GI Bill housing allowance when school is in session. This means you may have a gap of several months without receiving a full month of GI Bill housing allowance.
Financial aid can help with costs that your GI Bill housing allowance doesn’t adequately cover. Also, financial aid can help with other expenses.
We encourage you to submit your documentation to request financial aid funding, so you can maximize your potential educational benefits.
Please reach out to a counselor in the Office of Financial Aid if you would like to chat about your dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAFSA is based on income when I was earning a lot more. My financial circumstances have changed.
If financial circumstances have changed, there could be a possible appeal for change in circumstances. Check out our Professional Judgement Appeal page for more information and next steps.
Circumstances typically considered for appeal:
- Loss of employment
- Significant change to income
- Large medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Separation or divorce
- Death of parent or spouse
- Loss of child support or alimony
- Natural disaster affecting the home you live in
Circumstances that are not considered for appeal:
- Reduced value of 401k
- Reduction in investments
- Credit card debt or car payments
- Parent’s inability or unwillingness to borrow the PLUS Loan
- Another institution offering more aid
| Reduction of Income/Loss of Employment | Significant Medical Expenses | Non-Recurring Income | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Resident | • For a household with an original income of $100,000 or less, a 15%-25% decrease in household income may result in additional aid • For a household with an original income of $250,000 or less, a 26%+ decrease in household income may result in additional aid | • Typically, out-of-pocket medical expenses need to exceed $15,000 or more to have a potential impact on eligibility | • One-time income of $15,000 or less will likely have no impact |
| Non-Colorado Resident | • For a household with an original income of $100,000 or less, a 20%-30% decrease in household income may result in additional aid • For a household with an original income of $250,000 or less, a 31%+ decrease in household income may result in additional aid | • Typically, out-of-pocket medical expenses need to exceed $20,000 or more to have a potential impact on eligibility | • One-time income of $25,000 or less will likely have no impact |
How do I use my military and veteran's educational benefits at CSU?
The Military and Veteran’s Benefits Office can assist with next steps. More information about how to use your military and veteran’s benefits at CSU is available here.
