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DREAMers & Undocumented Student Information
CASFA
In 2022, the General Assembly passed HB22-1155, In-state Tuition Classification for Colorado High School Graduates, which allows state aid to be awarded to students who do not have lawful immigration status. Student must have resided in the state for at least one year before the date they graduated from a Colorado high school or passed a high school equivalency exam in Colorado, and have been physically present in Colorado for at least 12 months prior to enrolling at the college.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: CASFA is a safe, easy way to apply for state financial aid if you are a Colorado ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow) student. Non-U.S. citizen residents and non-resident students can use the CASFA to apply for institutional aid.
A: The purpose of the CASFA is to determine the 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 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.
A: Non-U.S. citizen residents and non-resident students can file a CASFA to qualify for institutional aid.
A: 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.
A: State-funded aid is financial aid that is funded by the state of Colorado. Institutional aid is financial aid that comes from CCD if you are currently enrolled as a CCD student.
A: Please contact the financial aid office at FinancialAid@ccd.edu. Should you have any technical difficulties with your account, contact CASFA@dhe.state.co.us.