Basic Needs

Food Assistance

CSU Rams Against Hunger

Rams Against Hunger offers an on-campus food pantry, pocket pantries, meal-swipe programs, and assistance with SNAP benefits. ​

  • On Campus Food Pantries: The food pantries have diapers, wipes, and baby food through their partnership with the Nappie Project! ​
  • RamRide Food Ops: In collaboration with RamRide, Rams Against Hunger offer a delivery service for on- and off-campus students who are unable to come to the Pantry in person. ​
  • SNAP Specialists: Meet with one of CSU’s SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Specialists for everything you need to know about applying for SNAP for yourself and your family members. ​

Larimer County Food Bank

The Larimer County Food Bank offers two food shares, pop-up pantries across the community, two mobile food pantries, and a Family Medicine Center Pantry–all places you can access free food. Their program Cooking Matters teaches people to shop and prepare healthy, low-cost meals. They also offer a Kids Cafe where kids ages 5-18 can access FREE meals. Their services are always free and non-judgemental, so definitely stop by!​

Loveland Rotary KidsPak

A weekend hunger-relief program for children in the Thompson School District.

Housing

Aggie Village Family: CSU Family Housing

The Aggie Village Family Apartments are just five minutes from campus and offer affordable family apartments that have a close vicinity to campus as well as a family-safe environment. On-site permit parking is available as well as resident and family-focused programs and playground equipment for your little ones.

University Village: CSU Family Housing

University Village offers apartments in an academically supportive, family environment for students. Ongoing children and teen programs, as well as social and educational events for adults, help establish University Village as a desirable living/learning environment for the whole family.

Neighbor to Neighbor

N2N partners with the State of Colorado to offer financial assistance to low-income families that cover anything from rent assistance, mortgage counseling, housing search assistance, and homeownership advising.​

Housing Catalyst

Through rental assistance programs, Housing Catalyst works to increase housing opportunities for residents, specifically families with low incomes of Northern Colorado. Visit their website, which includes informational videos in both English and Spanish. ​

Homeward Alliance

Multiple programs and initiatives for families, adults, and seniors, such as basic needs, housing-focused case management, and employment services.​

CARE Communities

Affordable housing in established neighborhoods with both ranch and townhome style apartments, offering community rooms, playgrounds, and public areas. Located in Fort Collins and Windsor, close to shopping, restaurants, parks, and entertainment, as well as close to Colorado State University and Front Range Community College.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid at CSU as a Student Parent

The Office of Financial Aid can review unique circumstances to determine if you are eligible for additional federal, state, or institutional aid. The appeal process may look different depending on your individual situation. Many student parents at CSU qualify for Financial Aid Appeals. Each type of appeal has a different impact on your financial aid and an explanation of the different types of appeals and their impact can be found on CSU’s Financial Aid website.

Examples of Circumstances for an Appeal:

  • Budget Appeal: Paying for childcare for dependents while in school could qualify students for a Budget Appeal.
  • Professional Judgement Appeal: Having a significant change in income from circumstances such as going from full-time to part-time employment while in school or change in marital status could qualify students for a Professional Judgement Appeal.

Scholarships

The ALVS has compiled resources for scholarships including:

  • How to access the CSU Scholarship Application
  • Tips on writing your scholarship essay
  • Lists of both CSU and outside of CSU scholarships relevant to student parents, adult learners, and student veterans

Health Insurance

CSU Health insurance Information for Students with Dependents

See CSU’s Undergraduate/Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) page for more information about health insurance for dependents of CSU students.

International Students will see information on the International Student Health Insurance Plan webpage. 

Child Health Plan Plus

Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is public low-cost health insurance for certain children and pregnant women. It is for people who earn too much to qualify for Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program), but not enough to pay for private health insurance.

Clothing Assistance

Career Closet

The Junior League Career Closet Fort Collins, provides clothing appropriate for work and school to more than 300 women annually at no cost to them. ​

Stork Support of Northern Colorado

 Stork Support of Northern Colorado provides essential maternity, postpartum and newborn needs to under-resourced families from pregnancy and throughout the baby’s first year.​

Northern Colorado Clothing Swaps

Resources for free clothing in Northern Colorado, with a specific focus on kids clothing. 

Transportation

Transfort: Fort Collins Public Transportation ​

CSU Students can ride Transfort for free!