Cherry Creek Post Graduate Center
  • Home
    • About Us
  • Post Grad Planning Events
    • Post-Grad Planning Schedule
    • Lunchtime Workshops
    • Coffee Talk Dates
  • Planning for College
    • 4- year Planning Timelines
    • College Visits at Creek
    • College Campus Visits
    • College/Career Fairs
    • Military Academies
    • NCAA
    • International Colleges
    • Packing for College/Before You Go checklists
  • Paying for College
    • What are the Costs?
    • FAFSA/CASFA/CSS Profile
    • Scholarships
    • College Opportunity Fund (COF)
    • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
  • Applying to College
    • Application Key Terms
    • Application Steps
    • Common App Tutorials
    • College Essay Help
    • Using Naviance
    • Transcript Request Forms
    • Standardized Test Information
  • Alumni Requests
  • College Admission Officers & CCHS Profile
  • Career Exploration & Opportunities
    • Colorado Career Clusters Model
    • Exploring Careers and Majors
    • CCSD CTE Hiring & Career Fair
  • Home
    • About Us
  • Post Grad Planning Events
    • Post-Grad Planning Schedule
    • Lunchtime Workshops
    • Coffee Talk Dates
  • Planning for College
    • 4- year Planning Timelines
    • College Visits at Creek
    • College Campus Visits
    • College/Career Fairs
    • Military Academies
    • NCAA
    • International Colleges
    • Packing for College/Before You Go checklists
  • Paying for College
    • What are the Costs?
    • FAFSA/CASFA/CSS Profile
    • Scholarships
    • College Opportunity Fund (COF)
    • Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
  • Applying to College
    • Application Key Terms
    • Application Steps
    • Common App Tutorials
    • College Essay Help
    • Using Naviance
    • Transcript Request Forms
    • Standardized Test Information
  • Alumni Requests
  • College Admission Officers & CCHS Profile
  • Career Exploration & Opportunities
    • Colorado Career Clusters Model
    • Exploring Careers and Majors
    • CCSD CTE Hiring & Career Fair

FAFSA, CASFA
and the
CCS Profile

What is the FAFSA?

  • More than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds come from the U.S. Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Program. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for these funds, which are need-based.
  • In addition, many colleges and universities use the information on the FAFSA to make decisions on scholarships, grants, and loans awarded through their institution. (These may or may not be need-based.)
  • The FAFSA has been redesigned for 2024-2025 forward, meaning a later roll-out date than students are typically used to. The new FAFSA is now open (soft-launched Dec. 31, 2023 and now fully available).  You will be using your previous year's tax return.  FAFSA application deadlines vary by school.​

Need help completing your FAFSA?  The Federal Student Aid Office offers video tutorials

Check out the this video for great information on starting your FAFSA, along with other useful videos on topics including...
  • What's Changed for the 2024-2025 FAFSA
  • How to Fill Out the FAFSA
  • Create and Access Your StudentAid.gov Account
  • Gather Information Required to Complete the FAFSA
  • FAFSA FAQ
  • How Do I Complete the FAFSA if Parents are Divorced or Separated
  • How Do I Complete the FAFSA if My Parent is a Noncitizen
  • What Happens After Submitting Your FAFSA
  • and many more!

Create your FSA ID
FAFSA Official Website

What is the CASFA?

  • The Colorado Application for State Financial Aid or CASFA is a simple, safe and confidential application for state aid, including grants and   work-study funds. These funds help open the door to higher education for students who have attended high school in Colorado as outlined in HB22-1155 and who are otherwise not eligible for federal financial aid.
  • The purpose of the CASFA is to determine need for financial aid awarding purposes to students historically left out of receiving state and federal financial aid. Non-U.S. citizens and those that are not permanent residents of the U.S. can use the CASFA to apply for institutional aid.
  • Like the FAFSA, the CASFA opens on October 1 of each year prior to the aid year, so students should begin working on their CASFA application starting October 1 of your Senior year.
CASFA - Colorado Application for State Financial Aid
Picture

What is the CSS Profile?

  • The CSS Profile is a financial aid profile produced by College Board. The online application collects information used by more than 400 colleges and scholarship programs to award financial aid outside of the federal government such as institutional scholarships, grants, and loans.
  • Not all colleges and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile. Check with the schools you are interested in to see if they require it. Note that most "elite" universities and private colleges require the CSS Profile.
  • The CSS Profile is more of an all-encompassing snapshot of your family's finances than the FAFSA.
CSS Profile Official Website
Picture
Picture
Picture

Location

9300 East Union Avenue
Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Post Grad Mission and Vision Statements

Mission Statement:  The Post Graduate Center empowers students with the knowledge and resources to make informed choices about their post-graduate plans and careers. We support students, parents, and families with college searches, admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and career opportunities, while fostering strong relationships with a diverse range of colleges and employers.

Vision Statement:  To be a leading resource that empowers every student to confidently pursue their post-graduate dreams and career aspirations, fostering a community of informed, prepared, and inspired individuals ready to make a positive impact in the world.


Picture
Copyright © 2021-2022