Click here to learn how aid works.  Colorado School of Mines uses the results of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine a student’s Financial Aid Package.  

Loans must be accepted every year through Trailhead.

1. Log onto Mines Trailhead
2. Click on Financial Aid (blue left-hand toolbar or puzzle piece icon).
3. Select View Awards in green awards section.
4. View and accept Terms and Conditions Tab
5. Click on Accept Award Offer (Terms and conditions must be accepted first!)

1. Log onto Mines Trailhead
2. Click on Financial Aid (blue left-hand toolbar or puzzle piece icon).
3. Select Requirements in blue requirements section.

Plus loans cannot be accepted through Trailhead.  Parents or Graduate students must pass a credit check each year.  To apply for a parent PLUS loan:

1. Login to studentaid.gov (parents must login with their FSA ID)
2. Apply for PLUS Loan: parents must select a Parent PLUS loan.
3. Specify a term for the loan: for fall and spring semesters, the term is August to May.  
4. First-time borrowers must also complete a PLUS master promissory note (MPN) on studentaid.gov.  Parents must complete a Parent PLUS promissory note.  

Loans must be accepted and processed prior to the end of the term for which you are enrolled.  Federal loans will take an average of ten working days to process once all documents are complete. Optional/Alternative loans can take up to four weeks to process.  The financial aid office cancels federal student loan offers by October 1 and March 1.  If you need your federal student loan and it is not available to accept in Trailhead, contact the Financial Aid office to reinstate the offer.  Student’s must be at least half-time (6 credits undergrad, 4.5 credits graduate) to receive federal loans.

The Registrar Office manages COF applications.  Instructions to apply for or authorize the COF stipend can be found on the COF Website.  Your COF will apply directly to your bill as a payment.  If you do not see COF on your bill, contact the Registrar Office immediately.

If you have health coverage through another source, you will be able to waive your health insurance using Self-Service through Trailhead.  Click here for information regarding health insurance through Mines.

The Cost of Attendance budget includes the cost of living and attending Mines.  You will not be charged for room and board unless you live in Mines housing.  The room/board component of your cost of attendance budget allows you to receive financial aid that can be refunded to you for living expenses to pay for off-campus housing. 

Your financial aid counselor is your best resource to determine what funds are available for you.  Before you consider additional loan funds, consult with your financial aid counselor to determine if you are eligible for other aid. 

The Mines Admissions Office makes the initial determination of a student’s residency status for tuition purposes.  After a student is enrolled, the Registrar’s Office is responsible for residency decisions.  The determination of residency is generally based on the student’s intent to make his or her permanent domicile in Colorado, not simply to obtain the lower, in-state tuition rate.  The decision on whether or not to grant residency is based in part on parental support of the student.  The amount of support a student may receive is extremely low and includes funds borrowed on their behalf, e.g. PLUS loans. Read more about in-state tuition classification.

Even though a parent may declare the student emancipated as part of the residency qualification process, this does not automatically meet the federal and Mines requirements for a student to be considered self-supporting.  Generally parent information is still required on the FAFSA.