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Accepting and Receiving Your Aid

Here you’ll find important information in regards to your financial aid. Topics include award descriptions, rights and responsibilities, how to maintain your aid, annual cost of attendance figures, etc. This section also includes how you’ll be notified about the financial aid.

Award Notification

The Office of Financial Aid will post your award offer online in Ursa. This award offer details the amounts and types of financial aid for which you are eligible. All offers are based upon full-time attendance at UNC as an undergraduate and part-time for graduate student.

We begin posting and official award notices in the spring. You have 20 days to review and accept your award or it may be canceled. 

Video: Receiving your financial offer

Step-by-Step Guide to Receiving your Financial Aid

1

Login to Ursa

Need Help?
Contact the Technical Support Center:
Phone +1-970-351-4357 or
             +1-970-351-4357
Toll free +1-800-545-2331
                +1-800-545-2331
Email help@unco.edu
Online help.unco.edu

LOGIN TO Ursa

2

Review the Guide to Awards

Print and read the Know Before You Owe for financial aid instructions and details on your awards offered at the University of Northern Colorado for your academic year. 

You may need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader.

3

Review Student Budgets

Print and read about Student Budgets for your academic year and level.

4

Review Standards of Academic Progress

Please print and read the Standards of Academic Progress for your financial aid award offer. 

5

Review and Accept Award Letter

When notified, you will use Ursa to accept your financial aid award. 

Accepting, Reviewing or Declining Your Aid:
1. Log in to Ursa at ursa.unco.edu.
2. Select "Financial" tab and click "View/Accept Award Offer".
a. Select "Select Award Year" drop-down menu at the top right of the page to select year.
3. Your financial aid offer is available below the "Cost of Attendance on the Award Offer".
4. "Take Action" column and pick from the "Select" drop-down menu to accept, decline or modify.
5. If you choose to modify, you may have the option to accept both or one of the terms, as well as change the amount to a lesser value.
6. Once you have accepted, declined or modified your aid, confirm your selection by clicking either the "Submit" or "Confirm" button at the bottom.
a. Click the "I acknowledge these terms and conditions" button at the very bottom of the Terms and Conditions. This will turn the "Accept Award" button to blue, and you will be able to click to complete.
7. Click the "Home" tab. Any outstanding requirements will be listed on this tab. Outstanding requirements will need to be completed prior to aid paying out.

Get help accessing Ursa.

If you are a new borrower and accept a loan, don't forget to do Entrance Counseling and complete an Master Promissory Note (MPN).

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Students who are going to accept and take out student and\or parent loans will have more to do.

Student and Parent Loan information for next steps.

Be sure to reach out to a financial aid counselor as soon as possible with any questions.

If you have difficulty accessing Ursa, please contact the Technical Support Center at 970-351-4357.

Awarding Aid

The Office of Financial Aid makes financial aid offers for eligible students that typically consist of a combination of scholarships, grants, work study and loan assistance. Aid offer amounts from each program vary depending on the need and eligibility of the student. Those who apply by March 1 receive the highest priority according to eligibility and their need.

The financial aid offer process ensures effective use of the funds available and ensures fair and equitable treatment of all aid applicants.

If you have a documented disability and believe it may impact your ability to take full-time coursework, you should notify the Office of Financial Aid prior to awarding. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and Disability Resource Center to determine if your disability documentation warrants a financial aid offer that reflects less than full-time attendance. Contact Disability Resource Center by phone at 970-351-2289 or contact Disability and Support Services by e-mail for questions regarding eligibility for disability services.