How do I apply for financial aid?

Financial Aid is a multi-step process so we encourage you to apply for financial aid well before you start your semester. You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA needs to be completed for each year that you plan on attending FRCC by the priority consideration date of April 1. By adding our school code (007933) to your FAFSA, the US Department of Education will send your information to FRCC electronically within 5-7 business days.

Visit all the steps needed to apply for financial aid.

All Colorado residents should also be sure that they have applied for and authorized the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) through the dashboard on eWOLF. The COF is a stipend from the State of Colorado to help reduce the amount of tuition at Front Range Community College.

Learn about the different types of financial aid offered at FRCC.

How do I contact the Financial Aid Office and when are they open?

For questions about your financial aid, you may call or schedule an appointment with the Financial Aid Office. We offer both on-campus and remote appointments.

Boulder County: 303-404-5250

Larimer: 970-204-8376

Westminster: 303-404-5250

You may also email a Financial Aid Advisor.

We are open:

Monday and Thursday: 8:30 am - 6 pm

Tuesday and Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5 pm

Friday: 8:30 am - 4 pm

You can schedule an appointment with us through Navigate—please visit our Financial Aid Appointments page for instructions.

What scholarships are available?

Scholarships are not automatically awarded to students through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarships require separate applications and can be found in a variety of ways. FRCC maintains a list of scholarships on our website and we encourage students to check regularly as new scholarships are continuously added.

Check with your scholarship donor if you are uncertain of the enrollment requirements/deadlines or if you would like to request a change in the requirement for a given term. Most scholarships are not available in summer term.

If you would like help in searching for scholarships, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Where can I find work-study jobs?

Available positions are posted online through the FRCC Job Opportunities page. As an applicant, you will be asked to create a "profile," which will give you the opportunity to upload your résumé and all other pertinent information you would need to apply for a job.

You must have a work study award before you can apply for a job. Most awards are offered to students who fill out a FAFSA by the April 1 priority consideration date. There is also a waitlist available for students who have not been awarded work study but are interested in a work study position. Contact the Financial Aid Office to be added to the work study waitlist.

Work study is a financial aid program designed to assist students with employment opportunities on campus or within the community. Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours to maintain their eligibility for this program. This is a regular paid position in which a student will receive a bi-monthly paycheck. Learn more about work study.

What is your federal school code for financial aid?

FRCC's federal school code is 007933. This is the code for all FRCC campus locations.

How and when will I receive my financial aid?

Financial aid is paid toward tuition and fee balances after the date you can no longer drop 15-week courses for each term. Visit drop/add deadlines.

If the amount of financial aid you are receiving exceeds the amount of tuition and fees that you owe, you will receive a refund for the difference to use toward education related expenses.

What is verification and how long will it take?

Every year, approximately 30% of all financial aid applicants are selected by the US Department of Education for a process called Verification. Verification is a means of testing the accuracy of the information submitted on a FAFSA, and by doing so, ensuring the integrity of the student financial aid programs. Schools are authorized to collect and review certain documentation in order to complete this process.

If the information submitted by the student conflicts with the information provided on the students' FAFSA, schools are obligated to make a correction to the application before financial aid eligibility can be accurately determined. The verification process generally takes 2-3 business days once the documents have been received. It may take longer during high volume times of the year.

Our office will communicate with students primarily through your student email account and updates made to eWOLF. Please check both regularly to review any requests for documentation.

Visit award process timelines.

What is a grant?

Unlike loans, grants do not need to be repaid. Grants offered at FRCC are based upon financial need and are available through federal, state or institutional sources. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required in order to qualify. Additional qualifications may apply.

Learn about the types of grants and eligibility requirements.

How do I appeal for financial aid?

To complete a financial aid appeal, you will need to submit the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal form Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form

Before submitting the financial aid appeal form, students should gather and attach all supporting documentation to the appeal. Only complete appeals with supporting documentation attached will be reviewed. Students should also meet with their academic advisor.

If you are appealing for a medical and/or mental health reason, you are required to have your doctor or mental health practitioner complete the FRCC Medical/Mental Health Documentation Form to include with your appeal. Due to privacy issues, do not submit doctor or practitioner notes, medical charts, etc. Only a complete and signed FRCC Medical/Mental Health Documentation Form will be accepted.

A student whose appeal has been denied by financial aid has the right to complete a second appeal to be reviewed by a separate committee. For more information about this process, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

For more information about Satisfactory Academic Progress or your status please visit our page on Satisfactory Academic Progress or contact the financial aid office at finaid@frontrange.edu

What summer aid is available?

Financial aid eligibility is determined based upon enrollment within an academic year (fall, spring and summer). This eligibility is generally split between two terms, not three. This leaves some students with little to no financial aid available for the summer semester. If you plan to attend FRCC year round, you will need to plan financially for the third semester of enrollment within the academic year.

Contact a financial aid advisor for more information.

What is Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)?

Federal and state regulations require that all financial aid recipients meet specific academic standards called Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). Except for some private and institutional funds, all forms of financial aid (grants, loans and work-study) are affected by this policy. SAP status is determined at the end of each term.

A student's entire academic history at Front Range Community College is considered, including periods when financial aid was not received. The components of Satisfactory Academic Progress are:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above
  • Cumulative completion rate of 67% or above
  • Maximum time frame for the degree or program: Students must complete a degree or certificate prior to attempting 150% of the number of credits needed for their degree or certificate.
  • Successful completion of at least one course in any attempted semester.

Learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress.

How do I renew my scholarship?

Check with your scholarship donor if you are uncertain of the enrollment/renewal requirements or if you would like to request a change in the requirement for a given term. Most scholarships are not available during summer term.

Visit our listing of scholarship opportunities

How many credit hours are required to qualify for financial aid?

All financial aid awards are offered with the assumption of full-time (12+ credit hours) enrollment. However, this does not mean that you must be enrolled full time in order to receive financial aid. Instead, the amount of financial aid you can qualify for depends on the number of credits in which you enroll and attend. Federal financial aid will only pay towards courses that are required for your declared program of study at FRCC. Visit Course Program of Study for more information on this.

Visit our disbursement webpage for prorated amounts based upon enrollment.

Visit the Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid for more information.

Can international students work during their studies?

International students may be able to work on campus with permission. Please contact the Registrar's Office staff at international@frontrange.edu for more information.

When is the financial aid application deadline?

Although FRCC accepts the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) throughout the academic year, the priority consideration date is April 1 of each year. Applying by this date could allow you to receive the maximum amount of financial aid.

Visit all the steps needed to apply for financial aid.

Why do I need to accept the Terms and Conditions for financial aid?

There are many federal regulations that are tied to the receipt and continuation of financial aid. The Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid document outlines state and federal program basics and explains how to maintain eligibility in order to ensure future funding. It is important to carefully read and understand this information.

How will financial aid be affected if I withdraw from a class?

As a financial aid recipient, you are expected to successfully complete at least 67% of all of the classes you attempt and maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Not completing a class for any reason could affect the amount of financial aid you are currently eligible for and any future financial aid eligibility. If you believe that you will not be able to complete a class that you are attending, meet with your teacher first and then meet with academic advising and a financial aid advisor.

Visit more information on our Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and maintaining your eligibility.

What are the eligibility requirements for financial aid?

Most individuals who file a FAFSA will qualify for some sort of financial aid assistance as long as they meet general eligibility requirements. Most aid programs are need based and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. It is highly recommended that students apply early so that their applications can be reviewed and aid can be awarded before the start of classes.

While FRCC does process financial aid year round, applying by the April 1 priority consideration date each year will increase your chances of receiving the maximum amount of financial aid available.

Why is there a 30-day hold on my student loan(s)?

Per federal regulations, first time student loan borrowers at FRCC are subject to a 30-day hold for their first loan disbursement. This regulation only pertains to the first term of enrollment and will not affect future disbursements.

Learn more about student loans.

Do you offer financial aid for international students?

International students are not eligible for financial aid, however, scholarships may be available.

Visit our listing of scholarship opportunities.

What is a Direct Student Loan?

Federal Direct Loans are a form of financial aid that must be repaid, either after a student graduates or when the student has stopped attending classes at least half-time (6-8 credit hours).

A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required in order to qualify. Student must also be enrolled in a degree seeking program and be attending at least 6-8 credit hours per term that apply towards their declared program of study at FRCC.

First time borrowers must complete the Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and the Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). First time borrowers are also subject to a 30-day hold of their first loan disbursement at FRCC.

Learn more about student loans.

How and when will I receive my scholarship?

Typically, scholarships are submitted to the college directly by the donor. Scholarships will not pay toward your outstanding tuition and fees until after the drop date for 15-week courses.

If the scholarship is received before the payment deadline and is equal or greater than your bill, you are not responsible for making any payment. However, it is your responsibility to ensure the scholarship is received by the Financial Aid Office.

Check with your scholarship donor if you are uncertain of the enrollment requirements or if you would like to request a change in the requirement for a given term. Most scholarships are also not available during the summer term.

Visit our scholarship page

Do I have to be a full-time student to receive scholarships?

Most scholarships do require full-time enrollment each term. Check with your scholarship donor if you are uncertain of the enrollment requirements or if you would like to request a change in the requirement for a given term. Also, most scholarships are not available in summer term.

Visit our scholarship page