Getting Started

Are You Eligible for Financial Aid at NJC?

You may qualify for financial aid if you meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship/Residency: You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. **If you don’t meet this requirement, see CASFA below**
• Education: You need a high school diploma or GED.
• Program Enrollment: You must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program. (Financial aid only applies to courses required for your program.)
• Academic Standing: You must be in good standing according to NJC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.
• Enrollment Requirements: You must meet the enrollment requirements for the aid programs you’re awarded.
• Loans & Grants: You cannot be in default on a student loan or owe repayment on a Federal Pell Grant or Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant from another school.
• High School Status: You cannot be co-enrolled in a secondary school.
• Other Aid: You cannot receive financial aid at another school during the same semester you are receiving aid at NJC.

Get Started with FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

The 2026–27 FAFSA application for Fall 2026 is now open! 

The FAFSA calculates your financial aid eligibility using a federal formula that looks at your Cost of Attendance (COA) minus your Student Aid Index (SAI), which considers things like income, assets, family size, and age. 

You will need to have some information on hand prior to starting your application:

• NJC School Code: 001361
• Driver's license number
• Social Security Number
• 2024 W-2s and tax returns as well as records of other untaxed income received
• Current bank statements and investments statements
• Current business information
• Alien registration card or permanent resident card (if you are not a US citizen)

Follow the steps below to stay on track:

• Apply starting October 1. FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
• Create your FSA ID. Both students and contributors (parents) need an FSA ID from the Federal Student Aid website.
• Complete and submit the FAFSA online through the Federal Student Aid website by NJC’s priority deadline of March 1 to be considered for certain grants and work-study opportunities.
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR). You’ll receive this by email within three to five days after submitting your FAFSA.
• Check your student email and respond quickly to verification requests. If selected, NJC will ask for documents like tax returns or identity verification forms.
• Keep an eye on your Student Portal for your financial aid offer. You’ll start seeing 2026–2027 financial aid offers posted after March 1.

Apply for FASFA

Professional Judgment (PJ) Review

If your family’s current financial situation is different from what you reported on the FAFSA, you may request a Professional Judgment review.

Situations that may qualify include:

• Loss or change in employment
• Significant income changes (like loss of child support or one-time income)
• High medical or dental expenses (over 11% of adjusted gross income)

How it works:

Even though the FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior, you can submit updated financial info to a financial aid advisor to adjust your FAFSA if circumstances have changed. Click here to fill out a request for a Professional Judgment review. 

CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid)

The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) is committed to helping students across the state have equal access to financial resources for their higher education plans regardless of citizenship status. CASFA helps make college possible for students who are undocumented or ASSET-eligible. 

**Do NOT complete a CASFA if you have already applied for aid using FAFSA**

What is ASSET?

ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow) is a Colorado state law - House Bill 22-1155 – that allows some non-US citizens to receive in-state tuition at Colorado public higher education institutions.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Attended a Colorado high school or GED program:
  • Complete at least one year (two academic terms) at a Colorado public or private high school immediately before graduation, or
  • Complete a Colorado GED.
• Live in Colorado: Maintain continuous physical presence in the state for 12 months before the semester starts.
• Complete the College Opportunity Fund (COF) affidavit: Indicate that you have applied or will apply for legal presence as soon as you are eligible.
• Provide transcripts:
  • Submit official final Colorado high school transcripts showing at least one year of attendance immediately before graduation.
  • If applicable, submit your official Colorado GED transcript.

What Aid is Potentially Available to Students Without Citizenship Status?

• Colorado Student Grant
• Career and Technical (CTE) Grant
• Colorado Work-Study
• NJC General Scholarship Application

Apply for CASFA

Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF)

Although COF is not part of Financial Aid, it is important to ensure you receive your benefit if you are eligible. The State of Colorado pays a portion of tuition for Colorado residents earning an undergraduate degree at Colorado public institutions.  To receive this benefit, you must authorize it at each school you attend. At NJC, you can authorize COF through your Access Account.

Getting COF is a Two-Step Process:

1. Apply at the COF website.
2. Authorize COF in your Access Account by selecting the COF icon on the Dashboard.

Please contact our Records Office at 970-521-6700 to discuss any questions related to COF.

Scholarships

Looking for help covering college costs? Scholarships can make a big difference! Fill out one general application to apply for all NJC scholarships. All Freshmen, Sophomores, and Transfer Students are welcome to apply.

• Apply by the scholarship deadline: April 1, 2026
• Complete the NJC General Scholarships Application to be considered for NJC Foundation and local community scholarships.
• Explore additional scholarship opportunities through your high school counselor, community organizations, and reputable online resources.
• Watch for award notifications from NJC Foundation beginning in May and continuing through the summer.

Important Reminders

Staying organized can help ensure you receive the aid you qualify for:

• A completed FAFSA is required for eligibility for Pell Grants, Federal/Colorado Grants, Federal and State Work-Study programs, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans.
• Keep copies of all financial aid and scholarship documents, including your FAFSA submission confirmation.
• Check your student email frequently!
• If your financial aid does not cover your full costs, you may be eligible for additional loan options. Contact the Financial Aid Office to learn more.
• Financial aid will only be applied toward courses REQUIRED for your selected degree/certificate program. Double-check your major to be sure your financial aid can cover your program. If you need to switch majors, complete a Change of Major Form before the census date so it applies right away. Any forms submitted after the census date will be applied to the following semester. 

The Financial Aid Office is here to help—reach out anytime with questions or concerns. 970-521-6800 • financialaid@njc.edu