CU Online Admissions
Welcome to CU Online
Earning your degree is a big step in your personal and professional growth. That’s why we make it easy to connect with the information you’ll need to make the best decision for your future. From finding the right online degree program, to completing your application, here are a few resources to help you get started.
Let’s Navigate This Together
Whether you’re starting college for the first time, transferring from another university, earning an advanced degree, or finishing your degree – our Enrollment Navigators are here to help guide you through every step of the CU Online application process.
Our Enrollment Navigators make getting the information you need and getting enrolled as straightforward and easy as possible. They provide no pressure, one-on-one support and can offer more detailed information on:
- Academic Program and Curriculum Overviews
- Admissions, and Financial Aid Processes
- Application Deadlines and Fees
- Online Veteran and Active Military Information
- Online International Student Information
- General Questions
Think of our Enrollment Navigators as your personal concierge service for enrolling in CU Online.
We Provide the Support You Need to Graduate
Our support doesn’t stop when you’re admitted. Once you’ve been accepted, you’ll connect with a Student Success Coach who can answer academic questions, provide career development resources, and help you stay on track. From enrollment through graduation, our Student Success Coaches are dedicated to making sure you have the personalized support you need to achieve your goals.
Can I Transfer Previously-Earned College Credits?
We are happy to accept transfer credits for any student who has earned them from a regionally accredited university, community college, or private institution. Whether you attended school in-person or online, as an undergraduate or as a graduate student, there’s a chance you could complete your degree faster by transferring credits.
Every transfer student is unique and every CU Online program has its own standards for the maximum total number of transfer credits — generally 60 to 90 — that can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree. If you’re looking to earn a master’s or PhD, it’s important to note that graduate programs typically have more limited transfer options than undergraduate programs. In some cases, credits earned more than 10 years ago have been accepted toward an undergraduate degree. Graduate-level transfer credits, however, must have been earned no more than five years ago.
Generally, your transfer credits must be:
From a regionally accredited
university or community college
Earned in the
past 10 years
Acquired with a
minimum 2.0 GPA overall
How to Start the Transfer Process
The best thing you can do to maximize your transfer credits is to contact one of our Enrollment Navigators. They’re experts on the application process, transferring credits, and anything else you might need to begin your journey at CU Online.
If you’d like to get an idea as to how many of your existing credits are eligible for transfer, Transferology provides a useful, free tool for doing just that. Simply enter the college-level courses you’ve taken into the generator to estimate how many credits will roll over to CU Online. If you have questions or need assistance with the transfer process, get in touch with an Enrollment Navigator.
Application Process for CU Online
CU Online offers a wide range of fully online degrees to help you meet your career goals. Explore our list of bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and certificate programs to find the one that’s right for you.
If you are ready to start your journey, get started today by looking through our admissions overview below and contacting an Enrollment Navigator for more information. Your Enrollment Navigator will take you through each step of the online application process, help answer any questions you have, and make sure you have everything you need to apply and enroll in an online program.
Review Admission Requirements
Admission requirements and application deadlines will vary based on the academic department, school, and program you choose. After you select your program, you’ll be able to start an online application that serves as your introduction to the university and the admissions team. The beginning of the application will list all of the required materials and information you need to submit to apply to your specific degree program.
Transfer Student Admissions
If you are applying to CU Online as a transfer student, you will likely have several questions regarding how to transfer your credits from another college, when to submit your application, and how to enroll in a new program. We encourage you to reach out to an Enrollment Navigator to discuss your options and determine what is required for your transfer application.
Gather Your Application Materials
To apply, you’ll need to gather a few materials, including your official transcripts and test results (if required). Your Enrollment Navigator will go over this list with you, but here are a few things to keep in mind as you start the admissions process.
Transcripts
If you are applying as a transfer or graduate student, you will need to submit official transcripts from every college or university that you have attended. Keep in mind that all transcripts must be official – sent from your previous institution in original, sealed envelopes, or via an approved electronic transcript system.
Test Scores
For undergraduate applicants, you will be required to submit recent ACT/SAT scores if you are an incoming freshman or if you do not have the required number of transfer credits (24 or more credits).
For graduate-level applicants, some programs will require you to submit standardized test scores (such as the GRE, GMAT, or MAT), while other programs offer a waiver for these tests. Contact your Enrollment Navigator for more information about any test requirements or waivers available for your program.
All test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Remember, standardized test scores can take anywhere from 10–14 days to be delivered, so request them early to ensure that your application is completed by the deadline.
Complete Your Application
Once you’ve filled in the required information in your CU Online application, you can submit and follow up with additional materials and documentation. The admissions team will review your application once all the required application materials have been submitted and received, and you’ll be informed once an admission decision has been made.
Application Fees
Application fees can vary based on the program, but there is typically a small fee that will be required upon submission of your application. Please reach out to an Enrollment Navigator for more information about any costs associated with the CU Online application.
Determine Your Funding Options
As you prepare to join a degree program, you’ll likely want to determine how you will fund your education. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities may be available for students who are eligible. For students who are interested in learning more, we suggest speaking with an Enrollment Navigator to discuss the options and resources that might be available to you.
Submit Your FAFSA
In order to determine if you’re eligible for federal financial aid, you will need to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the FAFSA website. We recommend submitting your FAFSA as early as possible, as federal aid is awarded in the order in which requests are received.
Check Your Admissions Status
You can return to your application portal at any time to check your enrollment progress, which includes monitoring for official transcripts to arrive and for recommendations (if applicable) to be completed. Simply use your original username and password to log in and keep track of your application status.
Start Your Journey
Once you are admitted to the university, you will be assigned an Academic Advisor and a Student Success Coach to help you start the CU Online registration process, enroll in your new classes, and get connected to the University of Colorado community. Your academic support staff will be available to help you with any questions you have as you prepare for your online degree. When you start your journey with CU Online, you’ll be well on your way towards achieving your personal, professional, and academic goals