Financial Aid Brochure 2021

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Colorado Christian University What Is Financial Aid?

Merit Scholarships and Grants

Financial aid makes the cost of higher education more affordable for students and their families. It’s funded by alumni, friends of the University, and by the federal and state governments.

At CCU, we want to invest in you so that you can go out and impact the world for Christ. We demonstrate this commitment by offering academic scholarships and need-based assistance:

There are five primary types of financial aid available:

Grants

Gift-based aid that is awarded by CCU, the federal government, or the state of Colorado (state grants for Colorado residents only), based on demonstrated financial need. Grants do not need to be repaid.

Scholarships

A form of gift aid awarded by CCU and other sources on the basis of academic achievement. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.

Federal and State Work Study

Students are provided with on-campus work opportunities and paid via paycheck. Eligibility is based on financial need and meeting the FAFSA priority deadline.

Stafford Student Loans

Loans awarded based on financial need. Unsubsidized loans are also available that are not based on financial need. Repayment begins upon graduation or transfer of enrollment.

Parent Plus Loans and Private Loans

Parent PLUS loans and private credit loans are available to assist families with meeting college costs.

Applying for CCU Scholarships Is Easy When you submit your admission application to CCU and complete your FAFSA, you are automatically applying for scholarship consideration!

Consideration for scholarships is based on a selective review process, including: • Review of high school courses and college preparatory curriculum • Review of GPA, ACT, SAT or CLT scores (if applicable) • Essay and spiritual recommendation forms • Commitment to Christian community (church involvement, missions work, Bible studies, etc.)

• Leadership and service (clubs, extra-curricular activities, sports, community service) • Work experience (where applicable) • Fulfillment of academic progress or other requirements is necessary for continued scholarship rewards

Get a High Return on Investment The cost of attending college includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation, and other personal costs. Most students take advantage of a range of financial aid opportunities — such as scholarships, grants, and loans — to help offset these costs.

First-Time Freshmen Scholarships

World Changers Scholarship (Full-Tuition) By invitation only; for applicants with outstanding ACT, SAT, or CLT scores and GPAs and who have demonstrated a commitment to service.

Distinguished Achievement Scholarship $88,000 maximum ($22,000/year) Recipients are required to have a 4.0 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 30, SAT composite score of 1410, or CLT score of 93. A test score is required.

Trustees’ Scholarship $72,000 maximum ($18,000/year) Recipients typically have a 3.8 GPA and an ACT score of 28, SAT composite score of 1320, or CLT score of 88.

A test score is required.

President’s Scholarship $64,000 maximum ($16,000/year) Recipients typically have a 3.6 GPA and an ACT score of 24, SAT composite score of 1190, or CLT score of 77.

A test score is optional.

Deans’ Scholarship $56,000 maximum ($14,000/year) Recipients typically have a 3.4 GPA and an ACT score of 22, SAT composite score of 1110, or CLT score of 73.

A test score is optional.

Honors Scholarship $40,000 maximum ($10,000/year) Recipients typically have a 2.8 GPA and an ACT score of 21, SAT composite score of 1030, or CLT score of 71.

A test score is optional.

Transfer Scholarships

$12,000 Distinction Scholarship ($6,000/semester) Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.5. $10,000 Commendation Scholarship ($5,000/semester) Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.25. $8,000 Recognition Scholarship ($4,000/semester) Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 2.8.

Other Scholarships and Grants The Multicultural Student Scholarship

(new freshmen only) CCU supports these scholarship recipients through academic, personal, mentoring, and leadership development activities. The selection process is highly competitive and students must demonstrate financial need to be eligible.

303.963.3230 Scripture Memory Scholarship

CCU awards scholarships to students who demonstrate the ability to memorize portions of Scripture. Eligible books of Scripture and scholarship amounts vary.

Music Performance Scholarship

Available to undergraduate students who exhibit exceptional musical ability. Recipients must audition to qualify and are required to participate in choir or band ensemble. Scholarship amounts vary.

Athletics Scholarship

Available to undergraduate CCU student-athletes who are recommended by the CCU Athletics Department.

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Yellow Ribbon Program

CCU contributes up to $10,000/year toward tuition and fees (matched by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs up to $10,000) for students qualifying for the federal Post-911 Yellow Ribbon benefit. For details, visit ccu.edu/finaid/ military.

Need-Based Awards

To apply for need-based financial aid, complete the FASFA beginning October 1 of your senior year of high school and list CCU as a specified recipient.

Partner Scholarships

Additional financial aid information can be found at ccu.edu/finaid

FAQS When should I apply for financial aid?

Eligible first-time freshmen or transfer students can qualify for one $1,250 annual partner scholarship from any of the four categories listed below. Partner Scholarships are renewed annually and awarded evenly by semester — totaling up to $5,000. For more information, visit ccu.edu/partners.

Submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon possible beginning October 1 of your senior year. CCU will review applications for financial aid in December. We’ll continue to award students throughout the year, but some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Partners in Christian Education

CCU recommends that all students complete the FAFSA annually. This allows for the full range of aid, including federal loans, CCU need-based grants, and federal work-study.

Partner Organizations

Can I get enough aid to cover the cost of attending CCU?

Available to students who are currently attending one of CCU’s partnering Christian high schools.

Available to students who are currently affiliated with one of CCU’s partnering organizations.

Legacy

Available to students who have parents or siblings who attended either CCU or its heritage institutions — including students who have currently enrolled siblings.

CCU Academy

Available to students who are currently enrolled in CCU Academy courses. Recipients can qualify for one online dual enrollment scholarship or one dual credit scholarship.

The following requirements apply to all scholarships: 1. Scholarships are awarded evenly by semester (for up to eight semesters) and students must be enrolled each semester to be eligible.

2. Students must maintain GPA requirements for continued scholarship eligibility. For more, visit ccu.edu/finaid.

I won’t qualify for federal aid. Should I still complete the FAFSA?

Federal, state, and institutional financial aid are just three resources available to help pay for college. You can also utilize private scholarships, student income, assets, work income — or a PLUS loan.

When will I know the amount of financial aid that I am eligible for?

Award packages are mailed beginning in December to students whose applications are complete (which means we have your application, all letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, and FAFSA report). If you complete your application later in the year, allow a minimum of three weeks of processing. We don’t estimate aid based on incomplete applications.

What payment options do I have?

In addition to the PLUS loan that the parents of a dependent student may take out, we offer the CCU FACTS Payment Plan. This allows you to spread your anticipated costs over 12 months without accruing interest.

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL AID 8787 W. Alameda Ave. Lakewood, CO 80226

Financial Aid Checklist Complete the admission process early in your senior year. Submit your application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and test scores to CCU. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible beginning October 1 of your senior year. File online at fafsa.ed.gov for accurate and quick results. Include CCU’s Title IV Code (009401) to ensure we receive your FAFSA report.

Scholarships from outside sources are a great way to help finance your education. Be sure to verify renewability options.

CCU begins to notify students of financial aid awards in December.

However, your admission file must be complete and we must have your FAFSA report in-hand before we can determine your financial aid award.

Higher education is a lasting investment that will pave the way for your future.

At Colorado Christian University, you get…

• A learning environment where Christ is invited into the classroom.

• A campus small enough for you to spend time with professors.

• Transparent friendships with classmates.

• Life next to the Rocky Mountains and Denver.

• Endless opportunities to explore, grow, and launch into a career.

• Student-led ministries where you can serve locally and around the world.

Resources For general information and resources about financing your college education, check out: studentaid.gov. Search for additional non-CCU-sponsored scholarships at these sites: • fastweb.com • scholarships.com • college-scholarships.com • salliemae.com • collegeanswer.com

Visit our online scholarship calculator at ccu.edu/finaid/calculator