Welcome to Colorado Mesa University parent financial aid information page. We look forward to helping you through the financial aid process and invite you to contact us with any questions at 970.248.1177 or [email protected].
Things To Be Aware Of
- We communicate through the student's campus email and the MAVzone which is the campus portal. It would be helpful to remind your student to check these often and forward any important communications from the university to you.
- Student records are protected by the federal Family Educational Rights and Protection Act (FERPA). The FERPA web page will explain what our office can and cannot release to parents.
- Remind your student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Parent's tax information and FSA ID signature is needed to complete the FAFSA and ANY subsequent changes.
- Students should apply for Colorado Mesa University Scholarships by the deadline each year.
- Most undergraduate students are considered "dependent" for federal, state, and university aid up to age 24. However, communication from the university, including financial aid awards and tuition bills are sent directly to the student.
- Be sure to keep your FSA ID information in a safe place, as you will need this information in subsequent years. Remind your student of this also.
Parent FSA ID
The parent who will sign the FAFSA or will be seeking a Parent PLUS loan will need to apply for an FSA ID. You can apply for an FSA ID online. Once the FSA ID has been established, you do not need to apply for one each year. It is very important to keep your user name and password, as you will need these in future years.
The FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid's online systems such as the FAFSA and loan information. This can also serve as your legal signature.
Parent PLUS Loan for Undergraduate Students
The Parent PLUS Loan for undergraduate students allows parents to borrow up to the total cost of education less any other aid received by the student. The Parent PLUS loan is credit based, however a FAFSA is required.
Learn more about the Parent PLUS loan option by exploring these frequently asked questions.
- Any credit worthy parent of a dependent student is eligible to apply
- A step-parent is eligible to apply only if his or her information was provided on the FAFSA
- Grandparents and other relatives are NOT eligible
Parent PLUS Loan Applications are available June 1.
To Apply for Parent PLUS Loan - Go to www.studentaid.gov. Select "Learn More" under the I am a Parent of a Student, then click “Login in to Start”. Log-in with the borrowing parent’s FSA ID.
- A credit check will be completed within the application
- Specify if you wish to defer payment
- Specify to whom any refunds should be sent: parent or student
- Specify loan amount: Enter specific number or select “maximum loan amount”
- “Maximum loan amount” is the total cost of attendance, minus any other aid received
- Specify the award year: August to May
Note: If credit is denied through the application process, the parent will be given options to appeal the credit decision, obtain an endorser, or choose not to pursue the Parent PLUS Loan. Please follow the steps on the online application.
Students may request additional unsubsidized loan if Parent PLUS credit is denied.
Yes. Complete Master Promissory Note (MPN) – If you are a first time parent borrower at CMU, you will need to complete the Master Promissory Note.
- Go to studentaid.gov and login with the borrowing parent’s FSA ID.
After the parent has submitted the Parent PLUS application and the Master Promissory Note, the parent should receive an approval from the Department of Education. CMU will then check the eligibility requirements and disburse the loan to the student's account. Loans may take up to 3 weeks to process. Refunds will be processed within 1 week of disbursement.