Complete your application in 5 steps
Step 1
Determine FAFSA or CASFA
Is the student a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible noncitizen?
Is the student undocumented (no Social Security Number) or waiting on an asylum application?
Step 2
Identify Contributors
Identify whose information needs to be included. This will be the student and their parent(s) who provide the majority of their financial support. Other relatives or legal guardians are not included unless they legally adopted the student.
Step 3
Create Accounts
FAFSA: Create StudentAid.gov accounts for all contributors
CASFA: Start by having the student create their account
Step 4
Fill out application
Information needed includes 2024 taxes or W2s (both student and parent) and financial assets. Contributors will provide consent and sign electronically.
Step 5
Understand Student Aid Index (SAI) and Next Steps
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is used by colleges to determine the amount of aid a student is eligible for. Next steps include following up with the college’s financial aid office and checking the college’s student portal for financial aid status and any missing information.
A Message from Denver Scholarship Foundation for Families Who Have Privacy Questions About Applying for Financial Aid
Updated October 23, 2025
Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) provides support with the financial aid process for all Denver Public Schools (DPS) students and graduates, regardless of background. DSF believes in the potential of every DPS student and graduate, and we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to earn a college degree or certificate.
Most students who are under age 24 must provide parent information on the FAFSA or CASFA. For FAFSA completers, this means that one or both parents need to create an FAFSA account with Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education.
Learn more about financial aid or follow the steps to complete the FAFSA or CASFA application.
For additional questions and answers, review this information from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), published 1/3/25.
How can FAFSA information be used?
To help ensure privacy, federal laws called the Higher Education Act and Privacy Act of 1974 govern how information provided on the FAFSA can be used. The law says that the information can only be used to determine eligibility for and to award federal financial aid. However, the law allows the U.S. Department of Education to share information with other federal agencies for both civil and criminal law enforcement purposes. DSF cannot guarantee that information provided on the FAFSA will be protected under the current presidential administration.
What if my family has Social Security Numbers and is concerned about providing their information?
People with Social Security Numbers (SSNs) have already shared their information with the federal government through the process of obtaining an SSN. The FAFSA will ask for additional information, including about their financial situation. Individuals with SSNs who have concerns about providing their personally identifiable information when creating an account or completing the FAFSA should review the FAFSA privacy policy (English or español).
Be advised that students will not be eligible for financial aid other than unsubsidized loans if their parent(s) refuse to complete the FAFSA.
What if someone in my family does not have a Social Security Number and my family is concerned about providing information?
Students who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) will complete the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) instead of the FAFSA.
If a parent or spouse does not have a SSN, they are still able to create a StudentAid.gov account and complete the FAFSA. Before doing so, they should take their time to gather information, consider their options, and make an informed decision about whether to move forward.
Families should talk to their student’s DSF College or Campus Advisor, high school counselor, or college financial aid office about options, which may include:
- Deciding to complete CASFA instead of FAFSA. Learn more here about the expansion of CASFA eligibility here.
- Completing CASFA means that the student can be considered for state and institutional aid.
- Students and families should consider that completing CASFA instead of FAFSA means giving up any eligibility for a Pell grant or other federal student aid the student might qualify for. Students should only complete ONE application (FAFSA or CASFA), not both.
- Receiving unsubsidized student loans to help manage the cost of college over time
- Choosing a less expensive college that can be paid for without financial aid
If a student wants to receive unsubsidized student loans without parent information, the parent(s) will need to provide a signed and dated statement to the college confirming that they refuse to provide information on the FAFSA.
Students who meet the eligibility requirements for the DSF Scholarship may apply and submit an appeal to use an alternative method of demonstrating financial need for the scholarship if their parent(s) refuse to complete the FAFSA or CASFA.
This resource lists legal clinics that can help a family evaluate their options: bit.ly/DenverLegal
What if my family has already created a FAFSA account?
Families who have previously created an account or completed FAFSA have already shared their information with Federal Student Aid and the U.S. Department of Education, so the considerations for them may be different than for families who are applying for the first time.
This resource lists legal clinics that can help a family evaluate their options: bit.ly/DenverLegal
What if my family is completing CASFA and is concerned about providing information?
The CASFA application is run by the State of Colorado and does not report information to the federal government. Learn more here: cdhe.colorado.gov/students/preparing-for-college/colorado-application-for-state-financial-aid
If a valid subpoena, warrant, or other law enforcement request for CASFA information is presented to the State of Colorado, the State may be required to comply.
Next Steps if a Student or Parent Decides NOT to Complete the FAFSA or CASFA
If a student decides not to complete any financial aid application (FAFSA or CASFA) but plans to go to college:
- They will need to create a plan to pay for college without financial aid. Options to consider include:
- Choosing a less expensive college that can be paid for without financial aid
- Planning to earn their credential or degree over time while working to cover the cost of attendance
If their parent(s) decides not to complete any financial aid application (FAFSA or CASFA):
- The student should complete the student section of the form
- In response to the question “Are the student’s parents refusing to provide their information on this FAFSA [or CASFA] form?”, the student should select “Yes.”
- After the student completes the FAFSA or CASFA, they should contact the Financial Aid Office for instructions.
- The student will need to provide a signed and dated statement from their parent(s) confirming that the parent(s) refuse to complete the FAFSA.
- If the parents are not willing to provide the signed statement, a third party (like a teacher or counselor) may provide a statement instead.
- If the student meets the eligibility requirements for Federal Student Aid, the student will then be able to receive unsubsidized student loans; they will not be eligible for any other aid.
- The student and family will need to create a plan to pay for college without other aid. Options to consider include:
- Choosing a less expensive college that can be paid for without financial aid
- Planning to earn their credential or degree over time while working to cover the cost of attendance
Additional Information
DSF cannot provide legal advice to any student or family, including those who have questions involving immigration status or tax filing. DSF encourages anyone who has questions related to immigration status to speak with a qualified attorney.
Community Financial Aid Workshops
Reserve your slot for a free Community Financial Aid Workshop (open to the public) below.
February 2026
DSF Community FAFSA/CASFA Workshop / Talleres comunitarios de FAFSA/CASFA de DSF
Need help?
Visit StudentAid.Gov
Explore FAFSA resources provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education.
Visit Your Future Center
If you’re a DPS student and have a DSF Future Center in your school, ask your DSF College Advisor for help.
Attend a workshop
Keep an eye out for workshops at your school or sign up for a DSF workshop below.
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid consists of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study employment opportunities that are available to help students pay for the cost of attending college.
- Gift aid does not have to be repaid and does not require a work commitment from the student. Grants and scholarships are examples of gift aid.
- Self-help aid requires either repayment or a work commitment from the student. Loans and work-study are examples of self-help aid.
- Need-based aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need by providing documentation of insufficient personal and family resources to pay for college.
- Merit-based aid is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement or talent in the arts, athletics, or other areas.
