Veteran & Military Connected Students
The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office is here to support our veterans, active duty personnel, and family members of veterans and active duty personnel. Students who plan to use veterans' benefits should contact the CU Denver Veteran & Military Student Services Office to ensure the required paperwork has been completed. If we may assist you with questions, contact us to speak with an advisor or schedule an appointment.
Apply for Financial Aid
We encourage all students who are eligible to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The application allows a student to be considered for grants, work-study, and loans. To be considered for financial aid with CU Anschutz, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and add the University of Colorado Denver school code 004508. To learn more, visit our Apply for Aid page.
Impacts of Veterans Benefits on Financial Aid
Students may use both veterans benefits and financial aid to pay for their education. Upon completing the FAFSA, a student will be considered for grants, work-study and student loans. To learn more about the types of aid we offer, visit our types of aid.
Reporting Veterans Benefits on the FAFSA
Most veterans education benefits will not impact a student’s eligibility for financial aid and should not be reported on the FAFSA. You do need to report non-education veterans benefits on the FAFSA. Non-education benefits include: disability, death pension, dependency indemnity compensation and/or VA work-study allowances.
Reporting Combat Pay on the FAFSA
Do not report untaxed combat pay on your FAFSA. Combat pay should be zero for enlisted persons and warrant officers (including commissioned officers) because their combat pay is entirely non-taxable. For commissioned officers generally, combat pay in excess of the highest enlisted persons' pay (plus imminent danger/hostile pay) is taxable. Combat pay that was taxable in your adjusted gross income should be reported on the FAFSA so it will not be used to calculate your aid eligiblity. For more information, see IRS Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide.
Veteran Status and Financial Aid Dependency Status
Applicants are asked a series of questions on the FAFSA to determine a student’s dependency status and if parental information will be required. View the below information for clarification on veteran status for financial aid. Visit StudentAid.gov to learn more about dependency status on the FAFSA.
For Financial Aid Purposes, You Are Considered A Veteran If:
- You engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard), or are a National Guard or Reserve enlistee who was called to active duty for other than state or training purposes (e.g., called to duty by executive/presidential order), or were a cadet or midshipman at one of the service academies, and
- You were released under a condition other than dishonorable.
You Are Not Considered A Veteran For Financial Aid Purposes If:
- You have never engaged in active duty (including basic training) in the U.S. Armed Forces,
- Are currently an ROTC student, a cadet or midshipman at a service academy,
- Are a National Guard or Reserves enlistee activated only for state or training purposes, or
- Were engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces but released under dishonorable conditions
- You are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and will continue to serve through June 30 of the applicable FAFSA year.
Changes To Financial Circumstances
If the tax information reported on the FAFSA does not reflect a student and/or family’s current financial situation, the student may benefit from completing an Reconsideration of Income. A Reconsideration of Income takes into account a student’s current financial situation. Students that were recently discharged or that have had a significant reduction in income should speak with a financial aid advisor about the potential benefits of a Reconsideration of Income Appeal.
Selective Service Registration
Your registration status with Selective Service no longer affects your eligibility to receive federal student aid. For general information about registering, call Selective Service toll-free at 888-655-1825 or visit SSS.gov.
NOTE: If you are a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau, you are exempt from registering.
Funding Opportunities
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
If your parent or guardian died in the line of duty while either (a) serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001; or (b) actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer, you may be eligible for a maximum Pell Grant.
CU Denver | Anschutz Cohort Default Rate (CDR) Disclosure
| FY2020 | FY2019 | FY2018 | |
| CU Denver | Anschutz Default Rate | 0.0% | 0.9% | 2.8% |
| No. in Default | 0 | 39 | 123 |
| No. in Repay | 4052 | 4190 | 4282 |
| Enrollment Figures | 33,264 | 32,857 | 31,281 |
| Percentage Calculation | 12.18 | 12.75 | 13.6 |
| National Default Rate | 0% | 2.3% | 7.3% |