Applying for Financial Aid

Change in income?

2026-2027 financial aid eligibility is based upon the information you provided on the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  A request for a professional judgment is appropriate when you, your spouse or your parents have experienced a change in income from the 2024 figures that were reported on your original FAFSA. If you already are Pell Grant eligible with a -1500 to 0 Student Aid Index (SAI), it is not necessary to fill out this Professional Judgement Form as you have already received the maximum award allowable for the financial aid award year, however if you have additional expenses that would possibly raise your cost of attendance (COA) then fill out the Request Professional Judgement form. Note: You must be logged into your CNCC school account to complete this form.

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1. Apply for Admission to CNCC

2. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

1. Applying for a FSA ID gives you access to Federal Student Aid's online systems and can serve as your legal signature. Both the student and one parent will need a FSA ID.
2. Submit the FAFSA online ***Only fill out FAFSA through studentaid.gov it is free. Be cautious of links via any other sites.*** 
3. Federal School Code for CNCC is 001359

• Within 1 week of submitting your FAFSA you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) in your email. Review the information for accuracy.
• If your SAR states that you have been selected for “federal verification”, the Financial Aid office will notify you of what documents are needed. In most cases a signed tax transcript (you must obtain from the IRS) for 2 years prior will be needed as well as a completed copy of the Federal Verification Worksheet (this will be provided by the Financial Aid office or available under "financial aid" on the dashboard of Crossroads).

3. CNCC Scholarship Application

Available online under "Scholarship Central" Must include a current high school transcript and follow with a final after graduation.

4. Complete the Verification Process

• Complete the Verification Process Either the Department of Education or the school may select your application for Verification. This process is used to prove the accuracy of information reported on the FAFSA. The SAR will indicate if you have been selected for verification. You can obtain verification paperwork by going to Crossroads and locate the Financial Aid card. Verification paperwork can be found in Student Forms. There will be a link to set up your account to student forms emailed to you can be found in the Financial Aid card. Carefully answer all of the questions on the worksheet(s). The completed form(s) and all related documents, including signed tax transcripts, must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. If you downloaded your tax information directly from the IRS a tax transcript will not be needed. Information not received within three weeks will render your file inactive.
• Await notification from the Financial Aid office.
  1. The FAFSA processor will send us your information electronically. We will review your FAFSA data, and if necessary, request additional documentation to verify your information.
  2. Once we have received and evaluated all documentation, we will notify you of your financial aid offer by sending you an aid offer letter. Once the school year has begun all financial aid information will be sent to the student's college assigned email account.
• Although not financial aid, all Colorado Residents should be sure that they have registered with the College Opportunity Fund to use their tuition assistance stipend.

College Opportunity Fund (COF) informational Flyer