Disbursement and Refunds

Accepting aid and receiving it are two different steps. This page covers when money actually reaches your student account, what happens to whatever is left after your bill and the permission we need from you to apply aid to charges beyond tuition.

Aid disburses no sooner than the week before a semester starts. For a spring term beginning Jan. 2, aid disburses that same week. Three things have to be true first.

Your To Do List Is Clear

Every outstanding requirement is listed in the Student Center on UCDAccess. We email your university account whenever something is added.

Your Loan Paperwork Is Done

Borrowers need a signed promissory note and completed entrance counseling before loan funds can pay out. See Loan Requirements for what applies to you.

You Are Enrolled at Least Half Time

Half-time enrollment is a condition of disbursement for most aid, not only of being awarded it.

Scholarships, grants and loans go to your student account first and pay tuition, fees, university housing and other university charges before anything else. Your cost of attendance shows what a year of your program is estimated to cost.

CREDIT BALANCE REFUNDS

Aid beyond what you owe the university is refunded to you for other education costs, through the Bursar's refund process.

Sign up for direct deposit well before you expect a refund, in the Finances section of UCDAccess. It is much faster than waiting on a check.

BOOKS AND COURSE MATERIALS

Pell-eligible students whose aid was awarded at least 10 days before the term starts, who are registered and whose aid exceeds their charges can use the excess to buy books and course materials.

Awarded Pell that far ahead but the funds have not appeared by the first day of the term? Contact us.

DROPPING BELOW WHAT YOU WERE AWARDED FOR CAN MEAN PAYING IT BACK Your award assumes a certain enrollment level. Enrolling at a lower level, or dropping after funds have already paid out, can reduce or end your eligibility, and you may owe the university back some or all of what was disbursed.

Borrowed more than it turns out you need? You have 45 days from disbursement to reduce or cancel a loan through us. No interest is charged on what you return, and the loan fees go back to your servicer.

1

Send Us the Form

Complete and sign the Loan Adjustment Form and upload it. This creates a balance on your student account.

Find the Form

2

Pay the Balance It Creates

We email you once the request is processed. Pay the balance using the Bursar's payment instructions. You are responsible for any balance left on your account after reducing a loan.

3

We Return It to Your Lender

Your payment goes back to the Direct Loan servicer and the debt comes off your loan.

4

Past 45 Days

We can no longer do it for you. Contact your loan servicer directly to make a payment toward the balance.

Find Your Servicer

Federal and state rules let us apply your aid to tuition and mandatory fees automatically. Anything else, such as health insurance, service charges and course drop charges, needs your permission. Without it we have to assume you want your aid restricted, which means you could receive a refund and still owe the university money.

STUDENTS

In UCDAccess, open Student Center, then Student Account, then View Student Permissions. Choose Grant Permissions, read the agreement, select FIN_AID and Next, then confirm that you have read it and submit.

You can cancel the permission the same way at any time.

PARENT PLUS BORROWERS

Parents who borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan give and cancel this permission through the Bursar's Office rather than in the student portal.

WHO TO ASK Questions about your aid come to us at [email protected] or 303-724-8039. Questions about your bill, your refund or direct deposit go to the Bursar's Office.

Financial Aid & Scholarships Office

CU Anschutz

Education II North

13120 East 19th Avenue

#3113

Aurora, CO 80045

[email protected]

303-724-8039

Tools & Resources

CU Campuses

CU Anschutz

Student Finances

Financial Aid

Disbursement and Refunds

Financial Aid & Scholarships Office

Disbursement and Refunds

Disbursement and Refund Details

Disbursement Topics

When Your Aid Pays Out

Money Left Over

Giving Back Loan Money You Do Not Need

Permission To Pay Other Charges

Financial Aid & Scholarships Office