The Office of Financial Aid in the Regent Administrative Center. The scholarship office is located in the back of the office and open to help students locate scholarships from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Nigel Amstock/CU Independent)

CU began accepting scholarship applications for the 2014-2015 school year on Nov. 1. While some of the financial aid funds are awarded to members of the student body, other funds are designated for students enrolled in specific colleges and departments.

“They’re basically scholarships from private donors that are specific to CU students,” said Tim McArthur, a scholarship counselor with the Office of Financial Aid.

Incoming students are automatically considered for scholarship funds, based on their applications to CU. Current students may apply for scholarships from the school any time from Nov. 1 to March 1. Applications are reviewed by a committee, which then selects recipients based on information like financial need, GPA, leadership ability and activities outside of class.

Students have many other opportunities to apply for aid, although the process may be more complicated. Programs that offer scholarship money include Veterans Services, Guardian Scholars, Disability Services and CU Parents Association. Scholarships from private donors may request a student’s official transcript, and the counselors at the Office of Financial Aid say releasing transcripts requires the student’s signature. Also, the many scholarships offered by CU schools and departments can have different deadlines. Information about these scholarships is available on the associated college’s website or through its main office.

As students submit their scholarship applications, they are advised to also fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Geology major Evan Berry, 22, was awarded a few thousand dollars from CU after sending in his FASFA application.

“I am in my last semester so I don’t really have to worry about that anymore,” Berry said. “Freshmen and sophomore year I used scholarships to help pay for school.”

For more information on eligibility visit CU’s scholarship webpage or call 303-492-4533.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Mary-Lynn Elliott at Marylynn.elliott@colorado.edu, twitter.com/@mayelliott_