The purpose of financial aid programs is to assist students who, without such aid, would be unable to attend college. Most financial assistance, then, is awarded on the basis of need.
Some assistance is awarded on the basis of academic merit and student achievement.
In general, all colleges and universities use the same procedures for accepting, processing and evaluating applications for financial aid. Deadlines for submitting applications, however, will vary, and some colleges may require a supplemental application or copies of income tax forms to verify information provided on a financial aid form. These are gifts, and are not repaid. Sources for these funds include federal and state governments and, in some cases, institutions themselves. Colorado offers merit-based scholarships to both graduate and undergraduate students.