Policy 12: Student Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

Resident Student Tuition: As a public institution of higher education, the costs of educating resident students at the University of Colorado must be paid primarily by a combination of appropriations from the state of Colorado and tuition charges to resident students. Therefore, the most significant factor affecting tuition rates for resident students is the appropriation from the state. The regents will annually establish tuition rates for resident students only after the state has indicated the amount of state revenues that will be provided to the university.

Non-resident Student Tuition: Tuition rates for non-resident undergraduate students should be established so that the revenues from tuition exceed the costs of educating the non-resident undergraduate student.

12.B.1 Pursuant to CRS 23-5-119.5, the Board of Regents shall adopt and approve campus institutional student fee plans. The BOR shall approve or deny any proposed changes to the institutional student fee plans and annually approve or deny changes in student fees.

12.B.2 Utilization of student government, student program and other student fees may also be subject to determination and allocation by student organizations. In these cases, fee revenues must be allocated by the responsible student organization in a fiscally prudent and fair manner using previously established objective, measurable criteria.

12.C.3 Any new fee used to finance long-term debt for the construction or remodeling of a building which is primarily used for academic and or athletic(s) purposes, may only be approved by majority vote of the students voting at a regularly scheduled student election or specially called elections.

12.C.1 Student financial aid includes the awarding of grants, work-study, scholarships, and loans. In all cases, student financial aid policies shall continue to promote family and student responsibility for a portion of the educational costs. All grants shall be awarded in a fair and equitable manner that supports the strategic objectives of the campus. Annually, each campus shall provide the regents with a written report on the amount of student aid by, appropriate categories, which was awarded on the campus for the previous academic year and how the student financial aid process supported the strategic objectives of the campus. The process of awarding financial aid is expressly delegated to the president.

12.C.2 Need-based Aid: The awarding of student financial aid on the basis of documented financial need shall be the process by which the University of Colorado assures that Colorado residents shall have financial access to an education at the university. The university should utilize the Federal Need Analysis Methodology in determining financial need.

12.C.3 Merit Aid: The University of Colorado supports the awarding of student financial aid on the basis of student merit. Merit may be demonstrated by previous academic accomplishments or the demonstration of special talents or skills in areas such as a special academic field, arts, music, or athletics. Campuses shall develop criteria to award merit aid.

12.C.4 Sources of Student Financial Aid:

(A) Government Aid: Both the federal government and the state of Colorado may be the sources of funds for student financial aid. These funds shall be administered according to applicable federal or state laws or rules governing student financial aid.

(B) Donor Sponsored Aid: This aid shall be administered in a manner consistent with the terms and conditions of the donors, provided those conditions are in compliance with current laws.

(C) Institutional Financial Aid: In awarding aid from this revenue source, the campus shall indicate whether or not this aid can be expected to continue to be available to the student provided that the student meets all the terms and conditions of the grant.

12.C.5 Loans to students: In assisting with the process of student financial aid loans, the university will provide appropriate information and counseling concerning the debt that is being incurred and any options that may be available to minimize levels of debt.

• Adopted: September 17, 1987 (Policy 12.B and 12.C); January 14, 2009 (Policy 12.A).
• Revised August 19, 1993; January 14, 2009 (Policy 12.B and 12.C); November 12, 2009 (Policy 12.B); February 8, 2018 (Policy 12.B and 12.C).
• Last Reviewed: February 8, 2018.