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All Bright Futures applicants who have a Social Security number are required to complete a FAFSA form, which is the federal government’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). See the FAFSA website for more information.
After you apply for FAFSA and download a PDF copy of your Submission Summary which must also include the Expected Student Aid Index (SAI) value, save it in an easily accessible location as you will need this PDF to upload with your Bright Futures application.
CASFA, the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid, is for students without documentation or a Social Security number who will graduate from a Colorado high school and have been physically present in Colorado for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrolling in college or trade school, which makes them an ASSET student eligible for in-state tuition. See the CASFA website to learn more.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., you can use the CASFA to apply for financial aid and also apply for Bright Futures. Unlike the FAFSA, you will not receive a Submission Summary or any correspondence via email. To view your Student Aid Index (SAI), which you will need for your Bright Futures application, log into the student portal, and select Review and Update on the appropriate aid year. Click on the down arrow to download the PDF file of your completed application. Your calculated SAI is visible at the bottom of the application, just above the signature section.
You must upload your final FAFSA Submission Summary and provide your Student Aid Index (SAI) value from your verified FAFSA/CASFA in your Bright Futures application. Your application must be completed with all documentation submitted by the Bright Futures application deadline.
