Mentoring & Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

We know that you might have questions about DU, the college experience, academic resources and more. This guide is meant as a starting point. Talk to your mentor or reach out to the offices linked in the answers below for the most accurate and up-to-date information. Submit your question using the button below and the CAHSS First-Gen Program will respond as soon as we can.

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• There are multiple types of aid in my financial aid letter. What do I need to know about the different kinds?

  Financial aid at DU can include grants and scholarships, work-study, student loans and summer aid, as well as aid for undocumented students. In the table below, you'll find information about some of the most common forms of financial aid. You can access comprehensive information about types of aid through the Admission and Aid website.

  Aid Type	How to Apply	Gift or Loan?	Requirements
  Merit Scholarship	Automatically considered with DU application	Gift	Enrolled as full-time student (12 credits or more) and retain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  Resident Hall Grant	Automatically considered with DU application; awarded with merit scholarship	Gift	Enrolled full-time and living on campus
  Federal Pell Grant	Awarded based on Expected Family Contribution on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)	Gift (except in certain circumstances)	Maintain enrollment and fill out FAFSA annually
  Colorado Student Grant	Awarded based on Expected Family Contribution on FAFSA	Gift	Maintain at least half-time enrollment (6 credits)
  Work-Study	Awarded based on need as assessed through FAFSA	Neither; you must work to earn it, but you don't have to pay it back	Submit FAFSA and maintain financial aid eligibility
  Federal Student Loans	Available to any student who submitted a FAFSA	Loan (you must pay it back)	Submit FAFSA and remain in a degree-seeking program

  Learn More About Types of Aid

   

• What is work-study, and how do I find a work-study job?

  Work-study is a form of financial aid, distributed according to need, that allows you to earn money by working on campus. You will learn if you've qualified for a work-study position when you receive your financial aid letter from DU. For more information, visit the undergraduate work-study site.

  Once you've learned that you've qualified for a work-study position, you can explore the student employment positions in PCO, DU's job listing website for students, to find and apply for available work-study positions on campus.

  Work-study jobs pay at least minimum wage, and the money is distributed to you as a paycheck. Having a work-study award doesn't guarantee you that amount of money; it just means that you can earn up to that amount as a work-study student. 

  What if I run out of work-study funds, but my employer still has hours they'd like me to work, and I would like to continue working?

  There are two options. Either your employer can choose to pay you out of their team's budget, if they have the funds to do so, or, sometimes, the financial aid office has additional work study funds they're able to distribute later in the school year. You can contact the financial aid office to find out if they are able to increase your work-study award. 

• What is a registrar? What is a bursar?

  The Office of the Registrar supports students with things related to course enrollment and degree pathways. Examples of their services include:

  • Registering for classes
  • Adding/dropping classes
  • Providing transcripts (the official record of what classes you've taken), degree verification or enrollment verification (the University confirming that you are a student in a degree program; may be needed for some scholarships or other opportunities)
  • Transferring credits* (such as credit from AP or IB courses in high school, courses you took at another school prior to enrolling or courses taken while studying abroad)
  • Declaring or changing your major(s)/minor(s)
  • Applying for graduation
  • Providing degree audits (a tool to help you understand what courses and requirements remain for you to complete your degree; can be used on your own or with the support of your academic advisor

  *Prior to taking non-DU courses and/or whenever possible, it is best to work with an academic advisor to find out if any courses you might take outside of DU will transfer and what, if any, requirements they might fulfill. 

  The Bursar's Office supports students as they pay for tuition and other academic charges, as well as supporting the distribution of some federal grants.

• What is MyDU?

  MyDU is a secure portal through which DU students can register for courses, pay tuition and student fees, access grades and request transcripts and so much more. In addition, students who work on campus (including student work-study employees) can access employment information, their timecard and W-2 forms. This is the portal you'll use to access most personal or sensitive information during your time as a student at DU.

• How do I choose a major or minor? What if I want to change later?

  You'll choose a major or minor based on your interests and through conversation with faculty mentors. Once you're ready to declare a major or minor, you will need to complete the Application to Declare or Change Undergraduate Degree/Major/Minor and submit your completed form to the Office of the Registrar.

  If you decide later that you want to change your major or minor, or add an additional major or minor, you will need to complete the Application to Declare or Change Undergraduate Degree/Major/Minor again and submit that form to the Office of the Registrar.

  For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

• I've had a sudden financial setback. Where can I turn for support?

  The office for Student Outreach and Support has some emergency funds available for students, including emergency loans and grants.

  In addition, in some situations, you may qualify for adjustments to your financial aid. In cases such as job loss or major medical expenses, you may submit an appeal to request your aid package be adjusted based on your change in circumstance. Visit the Admission and Aid website to find a full list of situations that may qualify and instructions for the process.