Investing In Your Graduate Education

The decision to invest in your graduate education is an important and exciting step toward advancing your career and achieving your long-term vision.

The Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder is proud to be a world-class research institution—vigorous in its pursuit of new knowledge, great scholarship, and service to the public and to the world. We are excited to have you become part of our programs.

The following information and resources are intended to help you understand the financial aspects to a graduate degree at the Leeds School of Business so you can make informed decisions about your investment and your future.

Click here to see an estimated cost of the Full Time MBA Program.

2024-2025 Scholarships

All applicants are considered for merit scholarships by the admissions committee. A list is forthcoming of the generous donors and scholarships you will automatically be considered for.

Special Scholarships with additional requirements:

The Leeds School of Business offers scholarships that require a separate application, consisting of an essay submission. To apply, you must first have an active Leeds Graduate Application. More information and the specific essay prompt for each scholarship will be available later this fall in the application status portal.

The Leeds School of Business recommends that eligible students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  In situations where need is a requirement for scholarship consideration, FAFSA will be consulted.

Note: A list of these scholarships is forthcoming.

Teaching & Research Assistantships

Leeds School of Business does not offer teaching or research assistantships for first-year MBA students. Second-year students who have established high levels of achievement in their core courses may be chosen by faculty for paid teaching assistantships or research positions.

Financial Aid

MBA students who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens may apply for financial aid in the form of graduate student loans. To apply, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online for the appropriate academic year as soon as possible. Here are some useful links: 

Apply for Financial Aid by completing the FAFSA 

Appealing Financial Aid due to Special Cirumstances 

Loans & Resources

Click here to learn more about Graduate Student Loans.

Federal Loans

Eligible MBA students may apply for federal financial aid in the form of student loans. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The priority deadline for financial aid consideration at the University of Colorado at Boulder is March 1. For more information contact the Office of Financial Aid at 303-492-5091, or by email at finaid@colorado.edu.

Direct Loans

Federal Direct Loans are fixed-rate student loans for graduate students who are attending a college or university at least part-time. Eligible graduate students may borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans that have a loan limit of $20,500 per year and a (current) fixed interest rate of 5.28% after July 1, 2021.

Graduate Plus Loans

Graduate PLUS student loans are also unsubsidized and require a credit check. The yearly limit on a Graduate PLUS Loan is equal to your cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you receive. Graduate PLUS loans have a current fixed interest rate of 6.28% after July 1, 2021.

Private Loans

For students who are not eligible for federal loans (e.g., international students), or for students who need additional assistance beyond the federal loan programs, there are a variety of private lenders who offer loan options for graduate studies. More information on international student loans and graduate financial aid is available at:

Colorado Residency

Tuition classification determines student residency for tuition purposes. Your initial tuition classification is determined from information you supply on your application for admission to the MBA Program. US citizens and Permanent Residents who are not initially Colorado residents can establish residency during the first year of the program. In doing so, you would qualify in-state tuition during the second year of the program. That is an advantage not offered by many public institutions, and will significantly increase the return on the investment for non-Colorado residents. Click here to learn more about Tuition Classification.

Helpful Resources