Students who wish to take CU Boulder courses but are not currently admitted to a degree program at the university are classified as “nondegree students.” Nondegree students are only eligible for financial aid if they are taking courses for one of the following:
- Additional preparation necessary for consideration for acceptance into a graduate program or second undergraduate program (requiring a departmental, graduate or pre-health advisor approval)
- Teacher Certification or Recertification (requiring an education advisor approval)
Requirements to qualify for federal loans and private loans:
- Must not be concurrently admitted to a degree program at another institution
- Enroll in a minimum of 6 hours each semester
- Each semester and cumulative GPA must be a minimum of 2.0
- Complete 100% of all courses attemped each semester. You will not be eligible for future aid as a nondegree student if you receive an I, F or W for any course during the semester
- Eligibility is limited to a maximum of 3 consecutive terms (i.e. fall, spring, summer)
Enrolling in independent learning or flexible courses while using financial aid as a nondegree student is not recommended. Learn more about Continuing Education (CE) & financial aid.
How to Apply
Important Notes for Borrowing Federal Loans
- If you borrowed loans for a previous degree, you may have limited or no remaining financial aid eligibility.
- Offered and accepted financial aid for your first term as a nondegree student will be posted to your account after you are enrolled in at least six credit hours. For your second and/or third terms, aid will be posted to your account after the previous term grades are released and you are enrolled in six credit hours.
- Offered and accepted loans will apply directly toward your tuition and fee bill.
- If the loans you are eligible for and accept exceed the amount of your bill, any remaining funds after your bill is paid will be refunded to you (via direct deposit).
- Nondegree students interested in obtaining financial aid for summer courses will need to complete the for the aid year before and the aid year after the summer.
Not interested in a federal loan or need funding in addition to a federal loan? You may have the option to borrow a private student loan.