Financial Aid (FAFSA/CASFA)

Need support with completing your FAFSA/CASFA?

We're here to help! Many students don’t realize that there is money available to help them pay for college and they think that they can’t afford it. Here is what you need to know! If you would like to attend a Financial Aid Night, sign up here and read the information below!

Before you can complete the FAFSA, you will first need to create a Federal Student Aid account. Click here: Federal Student Aid Account Creation

You will most likely need to also create an account for at least one of your parents. You will use the same website to create their account. For more information about which parent to use as a contributor if your parents are not married, go here: Which Parent Do I List as a Contributor?

Once the FAFSA application opens on October 1, you can use your account to complete the FAFSA application: FAFSA.gov

CASFA

CASFA is for students who are not eligible for Federal Student Aid, undocumented students or students from mixed status families or other situations who prefer not to share their contributors' personal data beyond Colorado higher education institutions. Students who complete a CASFA are applying for State and institutional aid only (NOT Federal Student Aid).

Unlike the FAFSA, students and parents do not need to create an account in advance.

Once the CASFA application opens on October 1, you can complete the application here: CASFA

FINANCIAL AID NIGHTS

Every year we host several Financial Aid Nights at the Future Center in the Westminster High School Library. We have assistants on hand to help you apply for State and Federal Financial Aid. Click on the date to register!

October 23rd, 2025

November 19th, 2025

Help when you need it

Financial aid comes from either the state or federal government. It is based on your family’s financial status and provides money that helps you pay for your college expenses. Examples include:

Grants - money that does not have to be re-paid
Loans - must be repaid, however, federal loans have lower interest rates
Work-study - money that is earned through an on- or off-campus job

Want to understand more about FAFSA & Financial Aid?

Check out their website to learn about scholarship search tools, citizenship status and documentation, debt and loans and comparing offers!

understandingfafsa.org

FAQ

How do I apply for financial aid?

What do I need to apply?

Here is a list of the documents and information that you need to complete your FAFSA/CASFA:

Student’s social security number (for the FAFSA)
- It is very important that you use the correct SSN and your name as listed on your ID or Birth Certificate
- If a student does not have a social security number, they should complete the CASFA.
A copy of the 2024 income taxes for parent/guardians and student and other records of money earned (including W-2s)
- If your family doesn’t file taxes, you will need an estimate of how much money the family gets per year and you will need to have some documentation to prove this estimate later on.
- If your family files taxes in another country, you will need an estimate in dollars of how much they earn for the year and you will need to have some documentation to prove this estimate later on
Amount of money in checking, savings, and cash for parent/guardians and student (on an average day, after all bills have been paid for the month)
If parents/guardians are married, date of marriage or remarriage
If parents/guardians are divorced, date of divorce
If parents have social security numbers, you will need those. If they don’t have those numbers, you won’t need this information (do not use ITIN numbers)
Parents’ dates of birth
Number of years family has lived in Colorado
Value of businesses or farms owned by you or your parent/guardian
Up to 10 colleges or universities that you have applied to or will apply to in the future