Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Boulder, CO
How students pay for the University of Colorado Boulder
Sticker price $37,189 a year. After grants, the average student pays $23,708, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $13,403 to $34,026.
- 78%admitted
- 31,939undergraduates
- 74%graduate
- 53%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
CU Promise
Who: Pell-eligible (or eligible undocumented) Colorado residents seeking a first bachelor's degree, typically family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less and an SAI of 6,657 or below, enrolled full time What: Grants covering tuition and fees, plus up to $5,000 more for students with a negative SAI
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $47,142 a year versus $17,513 for Colorado residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
53%grant from University of Colorado Boulderavg $8,391
15%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,376
12%state grantavg $3,918
29%federal student loanavg $5,101
Scholarships from University of Colorado Boulder
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- CU Boulder Esteemed Scholars Program (Hale and Sewall)$4,000 a year (Hale) or $7,000 a year (Sewall), renewable for four years
A select group of new Colorado-resident first-year students, chosen on the strength of the admission application; test scores are not considered.
- Presidential Scholarship$15,000 a year, renewable for four years ($60,000 total)
Incoming nonresident first-year students chosen on the strength of the admission application; must remain a nonresident.
- CU Boulder Chancellor's Achievement Scholarship$6,250 a year, renewable for four years ($25,000 total)
Incoming nonresident first-year students chosen on the strength of the admission application; must remain a nonresident.
- First Generation Scholarship$4,000 a year for Colorado residents (up to 10 semesters); $8,000 a year for nonresidents (up to 4 years)
Incoming first-year (resident or nonresident) or resident transfer students whose parents do not hold a bachelor's degree and who have significant financial need.
- Native and Indigenous Student Scholarship$5,000 a year for residents; $15,000 a year for nonresidents, renewable for four years
Academically promising new first-year students who are members of a federally recognized tribe.
- Regent Scholarship$1,000
One first-year student per Colorado high school each year, chosen on GPA, class rank and course rigor.
- CU Boulder Grants (Gold Grant, CU Boulder Grant, Donor Grant)Varies by SAI and enrollment
Colorado residents with an SAI of 18,000 or lower, or Pell-eligible nonresidents, enrolled at least half time.
Priority FAFSA deadline: March 1 (recommended, to be considered for all scholarship opportunities).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Colorado
Colorado Student Grant
Set by each college from its state allocation; the state publishes no fixed amount
Who qualifies: Colorado residents with documented financial need at a participating Colorado college; not every college offers it.
How: File the FAFSA or the CASFA (Colorado's state aid application); ask your college's financial aid office for its deadline.
Official rules →State grant · Colorado
Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expanded
A refundable state tax credit that pays back the tuition and fees you paid after grants and scholarships, for up to 65 credits
Who qualifies: Colorado residents who qualify for in-state tuition, finished high school after 1 January 2024 (or were enrolled in fall 2024), start at a Colorado public college within two years, have household income of $90,000 or less, and complete 6+ credits a term with a 2.5 GPA.
How: No application: file the FAFSA or CASFA every year. Your college tells you by 31 January if you qualify, and you claim it on a Colorado tax return.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Boulder
| Studio | $1,520/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,730/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,015/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 80309. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$15.16/hour minimum wage in Colorado
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $6,822 before tax. That covers about 7 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: rises to $15.71 on 1 January 2027; Denver and some other cities set higher local minimums. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$18,500median federal debt≈ $210/month over 10 years
$77,574median earnings10 years after enrolling
74%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Colorado Boulder
Does University of Colorado Boulder offer free tuition?
Yes: CU Promise. Pell-eligible (or eligible undocumented) Colorado residents seeking a first bachelor's degree, typically family adjusted gross income of $65,000 or less and an SAI of 6,657 or below, enrolled full time Grants covering tuition and fees, plus up to $5,000 more for students with a negative SAI.
What scholarships does University of Colorado Boulder offer?
CU Boulder Esteemed Scholars Program (Hale and Sewall) ($4,000 a year (Hale) or $7,000 a year (Sewall), renewable for four years); Presidential Scholarship ($15,000 a year, renewable for four years ($60,000 total)); CU Boulder Chancellor's Achievement Scholarship ($6,250 a year, renewable for four years ($25,000 total)); First Generation Scholarship ($4,000 a year for Colorado residents (up to 10 semesters); $8,000 a year for nonresidents (up to 4 years)); Native and Indigenous Student Scholarship ($5,000 a year for residents; $15,000 a year for nonresidents, renewable for four years). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Colorado Boulder really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $23,708 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $13,403 to $34,026. The full cost of attendance before aid is $37,189.
Does University of Colorado Boulder give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 53% of first-year students received a grant from University of Colorado Boulder itself, averaging $8,391. 15% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,376).
How much is rent near University of Colorado Boulder?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (80309) is $1,730 a month for a one-bedroom and $2,030 for a two-bedroom, about $1,015 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Colorado Boulder?
Yes. The minimum wage in Colorado is $15.16 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $6,822 before tax.
How much debt do University of Colorado Boulder graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $18,500, about $210 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $77,574.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Colorado Boulder. How these pages work.
More in Colorado: All colleges in Colorado →