What is the best way to approach financial aid at CU Boulder if I want to lower the cost of attendance?

The smartest way to lower CU Boulder’s cost of attendance is to file the FAFSA as early as possible, apply for CU Boulder scholarships through the scholarship application, and then compare your net price after grants before you borrow anything. If you are a Colorado resident, you should also pay close attention to the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid, since some state aid programs require it in addition to the FAFSA.

If your main goal is reducing cost, also look at residency status, housing choice, and credit load, because those can change your total bill even more than small aid adjustments. For many families, the biggest savings come from maximizing gift aid first, then using work-study or part-time work before taking out larger loans.