How to Apply & Enroll
Deadlines:
Fall 2024
- The priority deadline to submit application materials: August 1.
- The final deadline: September 6.
Before applying, talk to your parent/guardian and your high school counselor about your interest in the High School ACCESS program. When you are ready, be sure to follow the specific application process outlined by your school district as well as the following steps:
- Review application materials with your parent/guardian.
- Meet with your HS Counselor to get district approval applications (if applicable).
- Go to the CU Boulder Class Search to search for courses.
- Submit the short, free and non-competitive application:
Fall 2024 High School ACCESS Application
Once you’ve applied and received your student ID you may be eligible to apply for our need-based scholarship.
If you’re under 16 years of age, you’re required to complete an advising session with a CE academic advisor. Please schedule a phone or video appointment.
If you're interested in using a tuition assistance dependent benefit, please schedule an academic advising appointment before applying.
We encourage all students to meet with a CE academic advisor at least once a term for additional guidance.
Prior to registration:
- Submit the Enrollment Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): This MOU must be on file each term to be eligible to enroll. First-time applicants will complete this form within the High School ACCESS application and are not required to submit the document separately.
- Submit High School District Approval Forms, if applicable:
- Boulder Valley School District students must also submit BVSD’s College Before Graduation application in order to receive district assistance.
- If you attend any other district, check with your high school counselor to see if you’re eligible for tuition assistance. If approved by your school, please complete the District Approval Form and submit no later than a month after the term starts.
Send completed forms to hsaccess@colorado.edu.
Students planning to take courses with prerequisites must provide proof that they have completed the prerequisites to avoid receiving an error message when attempting to enroll in course. Prerequisites may be satisfied via courses taken for college credit, AP or IB (test scores required), or CU Boulder language placement exams.
Send email copies of your transcripts and/or test scores to hsaccess@colorado.edu.
If you are a resident of Colorado and are 13+ years old, you can apply for a stipend that will cover a portion of the tuition for CU Boulder main campus courses.
- Review and apply for COF.
- Your social security number or identification number is needed to connect COF to your student account. If you didn’t provide this number on your application, please call us at 303-492-5148 to add it to your file.
- When you enroll in courses, you will have the opportunity to AUTHORIZE the COF stipend. You must complete BOTH steps to receive your stipend.
COF Restrictions
The COF stipend is not applicable for courses in the following programs:
- CE Evening Credit
- CE Online Credit
- Applied Music
- Individualized Instruction
- Extraordinary
- International English Center
The tuition rates for many of these programs are based on the tuition paid by Colorado residents after the COF stipend is applied.
Fall registration into Continuing Education courses opens on Monday, April 1. Fall registration into main campus courses opens on Monday, August 19.
Once we’ve received and processed your application, we will send you a Welcome Message email. The Welcome Message will guide you through online enrollment via Buff Portal, the CU online student portal.
You can add courses to a “shopping cart” as soon as you receive your Welcome Message.
If taking classes in person, take some time prior to the first day of class to familiarize yourself with the campus, including the UMC Student Center, the Norlin Library, and most importantly, the buildings on campus in which your classes will be held. See the Campus Map.
If you are waitlisted for a class, plan to attend starting on the first day. This way you will not miss any of the information, and you can talk to the instructor about your chances of getting in.
You will NOT receive a paper bill. Your bill will be available online in Buff Portal. This is also where you will manage your course schedule, check grades, etc.
If you will be receiving district assistance, it will be applied the day after the drop deadline for the course you’re enrolled in.
Questions about your bill? Contact the CE Accounting team at 303-492-2212 or cebursar@colorado.edu.