University of Colorado-Boulder In-State Rules

In-state residency regulations vary by university; so do the costs and benefits of earning in-state status.  Below, you will find an overview of the major in-state requirements for CU-Boulder, an exact accounting of what’s at stake, as well as a consideration of in-state residency’s influence on financial aid including popular CU-Boulder grants and scholarships.

 

Nicknames:

CU, CU-Boulder, U of Colorado (It is not UC, nobody calls it that)

 

CU-Boulder Tuition Overview:

$31,410 out-of-state tuition

$9,048 in-state tuition

$22,362 tuition savings/year

 

CU-Boulder Total Cost of Attendance:

$47,943 out-of-state residents

$25,581 in-state residents

$22,362 savings/year (that’s worth 2.5 years of in-state tuition)

 

CU-Boulder In-State Requirements:

It used to be hard, then it got even harder in September 2013 when the university significantly altered its interpretations of Colorado state statutes.  Although there are several routes to earn in-state resident status for tuition purposes, the right one to pursue totally depends on the person.

In general, a good candidate for in-state tuition here is somebody who:

• firmly wants to plant their flag in Colorado
• can sever all ties to other states
• can remain in Colorado throughout the year with limited absences (including very limited absences during academic breaks)
• is able to or willing to take a semester or year off school (not necessary but encouraged)
• does not live in the dorms
• is able to work in Colorado
• is able to get student loans as needed
• is self-reliant

 

Want more, a definitive report detailing everything important you need to know?  Check out In-State Angels’ CU-Boulder Report.

If you’d prefer we just take your information and tell you what your in-state prospects are at CU-Boulder, you may want In-State Angels’ CU-Boulder Customized Report.

To discuss CU-Boulder with an expert, check out Consulting.

Or maybe you’re interested in having In-State Angels completely oversee your quest for in-state residency and guarantee your results, you may want to check out In-State Angels’ Full-Client Assessment.

 

University of Colorado-Boulder Out-of-State Tuition vs. In-State Tuition:

An annual tuition difference of $22,362 is substantial, that’s worth about 2.5 years of in-state tuition!  This extreme difference helps establish CU-Boulder firmly among the universities with the biggest difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition, rivaled only by a handful of schools.

 

University of Colorado-Boulder Financial Aid:

A couple things you need to know about financial aid as it relates to earning in-state residency at CU-Boulder:

1) Any financial aid including grants and scholarships that requires your being a tax dependent of somebody OR requires you to be an out-of-state resident will in general disqualify you from establishing residency.  This means that by accepting such awards, you will be getting no closer to in-state tuition.  There are some exceptions to this whereby certain awards you can accept during your domicile period but will automatically surrender upon earning in-state status.

2) Your financial aid is re-assessed after earning in-state status and your Expected Family Contribution will be taken into consideration in light of the vastly reduced tuition you will owe.

See article: Do Your FAFSA…You Will Thank Us Later

 

University of Colorado-Boulder Grants:

CU Boulder Grant

This grant is somewhat commonly awarded to out-of-state students with a good GPA as an incentive to attend.  It’s typically worth up to $3,000 per year and is awarded every year.  You may keep this award during your domicile period when earning in-state residency but you may lose it upon being awarded in-state status.

Learn more about CU-Boulder grants at the schools website.

 

University of Colorado-Boulder Scholarships:

Chancellor’s achievement scholarship

This scholarship is $6,250 per year for up to four years and is typically awarded to the top 1/4 of non-resident students.  It is acceptable to use this scholarship during your domicile period although you would lose it moving forward upon earning in-state status.

Presidential scholarship

This is a big scholarship, typically worth $55,000 total over four years and is typically awarded to the top couple percent of non-resident students.  It’s worth $15,000/year freshman and sophomore year then $12,500/year junior and senior year.  Although few get it, those who do are typically advised that earning in-state tuition only offers slim additional savings vs. just keeping the scholarship.  If you wanted to pursue in-state tuition (perhaps you think it will take longer than 4 years to graduate for example), then it is acceptable to use this scholarship during your domicile period.

Learn more about CU-Boulder scholarships at the schools website.