Parent Information

We know parents are often key partners in financing a student's DU education. We welcome the opportunity to help you and your student, but we also encourage you to be proactive and talk to your student about budgeting and planning as they are ultimately responsible for managing their financial aid.

 

A Note on Privacy

We're committed to the safeguarding and accurate maintenance of student records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 provides students with a number of rights regarding their educational records. One of those rights is the option to consent to any release of their educational records. As such, we're unable to release information like grades and financial aid information to parents without the student's consent.

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The Application Process

To maximize available financial aid resources and to be considered for all types of funding, your family should apply for financial aid as soon as possible after October 1 of every year. Review our tips for completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile to help make the process easier!

Steps to Apply for Aid

Payment, Disbursement and Refunds

10 days before the first day of classes, aid for the quarter will disburse to your student's account and will pay toward their charges, as long as all financial aid requirements have been satisfied.

If your student's financial aid is more than the total of their charges, they may be eligible for a refund to pay other non-billable expenses. Refunds are typically generated by the Office of Student Billing 2-3 business days after disbursement.

If you borrowed a Parent PLUS loan, any refund owed will be sent directly to you via mailed check. However, if your student's financial aid (without the PLUS loan) is greater than the bill, those excess funds will first be refunded directly to the student. Then, the additional PLUS loan amount will be refunded to you unless otherwise requested. If you wish to have the refund from a Parent PLUS loan sent to your student, please contact our office to make that request.

Visit the Office of Student Billing for more information about billing and payment.

Financial Aid Disbursement
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Noncustodial Parent Information

Our policy is to require financial information from both biological/adoptive parents of students when applying for financial aid. The custodial parent is expected to provide income, asset and other information on both the CSS Profile and FAFSA. The noncustodial parent is also expected to provide information on a separate CSS Profile application. If either parent is remarried, the stepparent's information must be included.

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Parent PLUS Loans

The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (Parent PLUS loan) is a credit-based loan available to parents of dependent undergraduate students. Students will not have this loan offered on their award letter. Parents must apply separately for this loan via StudentAid.gov and may borrow up to the student's total cost of attendance, minus all other financial aid.

Video Playlist: Parent PLUS Loan Overview

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Special Circumstances and Financial Aid Appeals

Sometimes, after your student receives their financial aid offer, your family may experience an unexpected change to your financial situation. In these circumstances, you may appeal for a re-evaluation of your student's aid. All special circumstances requests must be approved by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee, and appeals are processed only when an initial award letter is issued and all additional documents are received.

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Financial Aid and the College Decision Process

High School Night Presentation

Learn the basics of financial aid—from how to get organized, to the types of aid available, to how financial need is determined—with our high school FAFSA night presentation.

> Download the Presentation

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Financial Aid