Colorado State University

Student Resources

Campus Resources

  • Jennie Baran, Student Case Management & Referral Coordination
    970-491-8051 jennie.baran@colostate.edu
    “Case Management supports students experiencing crisis/distress by connecting them to appropriate resources and helping them navigate the CSU and community systems.”
  • Miel McCarthy, Director of Scholar Success Programs within Community for Excellence, Scholar Success Programs/Student Success
    miel.mccarthy@colostate.edu
    “The Community for Excellence Network provides engagement opportunities and support for Scholars. Many FSP students are part C4E and receive awards and scholarships through the network.”
  • April Cano-Garcia, Student Support Services Director, Academic Advancement Center
    970-491-7453 april.cano-garcia@colostate.edu
    “Within the SSS programs, we serve students who are also part of FSP. We partner with FSP to provide students with additional support and resources while at CSU.”
  • Teresa Metzger, Housing & Dining Services, Projects & Outreach
    970-491-4705 Teresa.Metzger@ColoState.EDU
    “I serve as the Assistant Director for Projects & Outreach in Housing & Dining Services. I serve as the Liaison for FSP and Basic Needs for students living on campus.”
  • Becky Villalpando, Manager of DEIB Programs and Special Academic Initiatives, Office of the Registrar
    rebecca.villalpando@colostate.edu
    “I help to raise awareness within my office and across campus of challenges FSP students face and work to identify and remove barriers to student success. I support students by connecting them with staff and resources they may need during their journey at CSU.”
  • Penny Lane, Academic Success Coordinator, Exploratory Studies
    970-491-7095 penny.lane@colostate.edu
    “My position supports exploring FSP students on their journey to finding the right major for them.”
  • Taira Cottingham, Assistant Annual Fund Coordinator, Athletic Department
    970-568-6343 taira.cottingham@colostate.edu
    “Students interested in working in athletics can reach out to me and I will make introductions/connections on your behalf.”
  • Lindsay Mason, Director, Off-Campus Life
    970-491-6191 lindsay.mason@colostate.edu
    “Off-Campus Life is here to support FSP students as they navigate the off-campus housing market.”
  • Kim Holland, College Advisor, College of Business 
    970-491-7325 kim.holland@ColoState.edu
    “I work with students as an academic success coordinator. I am fluent in “Collegese”. I am here to translate for students until they become fluent in “Collegese” and this is often what is difficult for students in navigating the academic portion of the university. I can work to support students in understanding the academic pathway and resources available to be successful to complete their Degree.”
  • Heather Moon, Student Success Librarian, Library

    P: (970)491-1273 heather.moon@colostate.edu “I am a Student Success Librarian and can offer FSP students personalized guidance on accessing academic resources, navigating research tools, and developing effective study skills tailored to their unique circumstances. Additionally, I collaborate with campus support services to ensure students have the necessary assistance and accommodations to thrive at CSU.”

  • Alexis Gomez, Career Education Manager, Career Center

    gom@colostate.edu “Hello! Feel free to ask me about campus jobs, finding internships, or anything related to preparing for your career.”

Organizations on campus that center around cultural, historical, spiritual, and gender. All allies, affiliates, and supporters are welcome.

  • Bias Reporting – provides support, education and assessment.
  • CSU Health Network– contains medical, dental, counseling offices, as well as, a pharmacy and lab.
  • Counseling Services – offers therapeutic support within the CSU Health Network
  • Occupational Therapy – offers life skills support; contact andrea.fortney@colostate.edu for referral process
  • RamRide – operates safe rides for CSU students
  • Rams Against Hunger– provides emergency food relief for students experiencing food insecurity
  • Student Disability Center– offers academic accommodations for those that have physical, mental, or learning disabilities
  • You@CSU – connects students with campus resources and other online educational tools

Most FSP students are eligible to receive the CSU RamCare Grant, which covers up to $3000 per semester for the cost of most medical services, dental services, optometry services, and more only at the CSU Health Network. RamCare Grant is a CSU program and not a health insurance plan; it supplements Medicaid and other insurance plans (students who are on the CSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are not eligible for RamCare Grant). Medicaid is an excellent health care resource for FSP students who qualify.

Community Resources

  • Food Bank for Larimer County – a vibrant community hub that offers free food markets, reliable access to safe food, thoughtful cooking practices and education, free lunches for kids during the summer through the Lunch Lab, SNAP assistance, and much, much more.
  • Fort Collins Rescue Mission  – Fort Collins Rescue Mission is a Christian based ministry that serves homeless men and women by providing shelter, meals, spiritual guidance, and life changing programs. Fort Collins Rescue Mission operates under the umbrella of Denver Rescue Mission, which has been serving the homeless and poor in Colorado since 1892.
  • Homeward Alliance – Homeward Alliance’s mission is to provide homeless men, women and children with the supplies that they need to survive on the streets and the support and companionship that they need to navigate the path from homelessness to self-sufficiency. To be clear, this program serves every stage of homelessness whether it be a person living on the street, couch surfing, and a person close to losing their home.
  • FOCO Café – FOCO Café is a non-profit restaurant that offers healthy and delicious meals to all people on a donation basis. If you can give more, please pay it forward. If you have a little less, pay what you can. Pay what you would normally pay or If your pockets are empty, pay with your time and talent in exchange for a mouth-watering meal
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – provides food assistance benefits to help low-income households purchase food. Apply for benefits using the CSU Case Management office by clicking on “Schedule and appointment” at the bottom of the page
  • Vindeket Foods is a non-profit food rescue providing a no-cost local market.
  • Homeward Alliance – Homeward Alliance’s mission is to provide homeless men, women and children with the supplies that they need to survive on the streets and the support and companionship that they need to navigate the path from homelessness to self-sufficiency. To be clear, this program serves every stage of homelessness whether it be a person living on the street, couch surfing, and a person close to losing their home.
  • Chair Table Home – is an organization that donates gently used household items to the community, which mostly during the summer months. Items include housewares, furniture, and other items that are donated by students as they move out in the spring. 
  • Fort Collins Rescue Mission  – Fort Collins Rescue Mission is a Christian based ministry that serves homeless men and women by providing shelter, meals, spiritual guidance, and life changing programs. Fort Collins Rescue Mission operates under the umbrella of Denver Rescue Mission, which has been serving the homeless and poor in Colorado since 1892.
  • Catholic Charities Samaritan House – provides housing, meals, community, and case management to homeless people in Fort Collins.
  • Urban Peak – is the only non-profit organization in Denver that provides a full convergence of services for youth ages 15 through 24 experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Their goal is to help youth overcome real life challenges and become self-sufficient adults. They do this by providing five essential services at little or no cost to the youth: an overnight shelter, a daytime drop-in center, street outreach, education and employment programming, and supportive housing.
  • Murphy Center for Hope – founded in 2009 as a one-stop shop for people who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness, the Murphy Center is a hub of services for people who face homelessness or housing instability. 20 organizations offer more than 40 services to nearly 3,000 people each year. It provides core human services such as year-round morning shelter, laundry, showers, mail, computer and phones.
  • Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) – LEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible Colorado families, seniors, and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. LEAP only accepts applications between November and April. Apply using the Colorado PEAK website.
  • The Housing Catalyst – offers several ways to make living in Northern Colorado more affordable for those earning below the area median income, including affordable communities, assistance programs, and permanent supportive housing. 
  • Neighbor 2 Neighbor – offers many resources for help paying rent.
  • Crossroads Safehouse – provides emergency safehousing, advocacy, legal assistance, rapid rehousing, crisis intervention for victims of domestic violence.Their 24/7 crisis line is (970)482-3535.
  • Lutheran Campus Ministries– aims to address shortages in affordable housing for students who are housing insecure or homeless through subsidized housing and partnering with CSU and the Fort Collins communitites.
  • The Mathews House and The Landing Shelter in Loveland – offers wrap around and holistic support to youth and young adults, as well as other members of the community. If you were kicked out, aged out, or just ran out of options, The Landing is a place to stop, breathe, and get back on your feet. They serve young people ages 15 to 20 from across Northern Colorado. You can walk in on your own, or have a school counselor, caseworker, or friend refer you. They do not require parental consent, do not charge, and welcome everyone, including LGBTQ+ youth.
  • Salud Family Health Clinic – A local clinic that offers premium care at affordable prices. Some of the services offered include an in house Pharmacy, Immunizations, Nutrition and Health Education, Physicians and Pediatricians, Physical Examinations, Laboratory, X-ray, & Cancer Screening, etc. Charges are on a sliding scale based on income.
  • Family Dental Clinic   – Another local Fort Collins agency that offices dental treatment. Fees are also charged on a sliding scale. Services provided include Full dentures, Root canals, Silver fillings, Wisdom tooth extraction, Teeth Cleaning, etc
  • Prescription Assistance – The Prescription Assistance program helps people with limited incomes fill their prescriptions through vouchers and applications to drug company programs.
  • Mental Health Connections – Many people don’t get help for mental health or substance abuse problems because they don’t know where to turn or they can’t afford treatment. That’s where Mental Health Connections steps in. Their services are strictly confidential. All services are free except for counseling, which is low-cost and based on your ability to pay.
  • Mental Health and Drug Abuse – Mental illness is common among drug addicts. The relationship between mental health and drug abuse is so strong that many people believe the drugs cause the illness. In most cases, this is not true. People who have mental illness usually seek out the drugs to self-medicate. These people do not realize that their attempts only lead to a larger problem-addiction. Fortunately, proper treatment and diagnosis can help the addict recover from what the medical establishment calls a dual diagnosis.
  • Disabled Resource Services – Disabled Resource Services empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence through services supporting advocacy, awareness and access to their community.
  • Colorado Health Network – Colorado Health Network (CHN) is a statewide organization in Colorado, serving nearly 4,000 individuals living with HIV/AIDS, and those at risk, as well as other program specific populations. CHN provides innovative, individualized services to those most in need, educates high risk populations, and advocates for social and health care equity. The case managers at CHN work with clients to assist them in living healthy and empowered lives. Case Managers make sure that clients are aware of their healthcare options and support them in accessing and maintaining involvement in healthcare and treatment.
  • Medicaid – is a public health insurance plans to eligible applicants. Apply using the Colorado PEAK website.
  • Christ Clinic – seeks to act as the essential medical providers for members of the Northern Colorado community who are uninsured or do not have access to other providers regardless of their background, creed or beliefs. This includes young adults; families with children; and adults with chronic diseases who are not yet eligible for Medicare.
  • Mental Health Connections – Many people don’t get help for mental health or substance abuse problems because they don’t know where to turn or they can’t afford treatment. That’s where Mental Health Connections steps in. Their services are strictly confidential. All services are free except for counseling, which is low-cost and based on your ability to pay.
  • Mental Health and Drug Abuse – Mental illness is common among drug addicts. The relationship between mental health and drug abuse is so strong that many people believe the drugs cause the illness. In most cases, this is not true. People who have mental illness usually seek out the drugs to self-medicate. These people do not realize that their attempts only lead to a larger problem-addiction. Fortunately, proper treatment and diagnosis can help the addict recover from what the medical establishment calls a dual diagnosis.
  • Colorado Crisis Services – offers support and counseling to people in need of mental health support. Crisis Line: Call 988 or Text 988.
  • SummitStone Health Partners – provides mental health crisis services, counseling, substance abuse counseling, and medication management.
  • CSU Psychological Services Center (PSC) – is a community mental health agency affiliated with the Psychology Department of Colorado State University (CSU). PSC offers therapy and psychological evaluation services for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families to members of the Fort Collins community. They use a sliding scale fee schedule depending on your income, but CSU students receive a rate of $15/session.
  • Psychology Today Find a Therapist – is a tool to search for therapists in the area that meet your needs.
  • The Trevor Project – is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. Call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678.
  • Trans Lifeline – is a grassroots hotline and non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Call 877-565-8860 for support.
  • Cash and Employment Assistance (TANF/Colorado Works) – is a cash assistance program that helps eligible families with very low incomes become self-sufficient by encouraging job preparation, work and family stabilization. Eligible applicants receive monthly cash assistance payments, help with emergency household expenses, and/or services such as counseling, training and employment assistance.
  • Unemployment Benefits – Unemployment benefits provide you with temporary income if you’ve lost a job or income through no fault of your own.
  • ReHire Colorado – is a program created by the Colorado Careers Act of 2013 and is administered by Colorado Department of Human Services. The goal of this program is to help individuals with barriers to employment re-enter the workforce by combining wage-paid work, job skills training and supportive services.
  • Colorado Individual Placement and Support – is a program that helps people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders find and keep jobs, while at the same time providing employers with access to motivated employees.
  • Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD) – connects people to meaningful work and businesses to talent and resources, improving the community’s economic wellbeing.
  • True Colors United – implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness by focusing on the experiences of those most impacted – LGBTQ+ and BIPOC youth.
  • The YMCA of Northern Colorado & Southern Wyoming – nonprofit organization that strengthens the foundations of community. They do that through programs that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Core values are caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and inclusion.
  • Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) – provides childcare assistance to families who are working, searching for employment, or are in training, and families who are enrolled in the Colorado Works program and need childcare services to support their efforts toward self-sufficiency. CCCAP provides you access to reduced cost childcare at licensed childcare facilities or qualified (unlicensed) providers. 
  • VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) – provides free, confidential, and secure preparation and e-filing of Federal and State income taxes, for taxpayers who qualify. This service is available for basic returns with income up to $69,000.
  • Youth Legal Defense – The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (ADC) protects the right and futures of young people in Colorado’s youth Justice System. They practice holistic defense through building teams (attorneys, investigators, social workers, education specialists, experts) to address legal, school, family, and mental-health needs. 
  • Beyond the Walls – is a program in connection with Shiloh House that seeks to support youth between the ages of 16 and 26. Beyond the Walls links people with resources and mentors to provide skills, learning opportunities, and tools to help young people achieve their goals.
  • DreamMakers – is program is designed to come alongside youth who have aged out, or are in the process of aging out of the foster care system without support between the ages or 15 and 25. Former foster youth can submit a “wish” for items such as laptops or other educational items ranging from $100-1,000. To get more information on applying for a dream, please contact Andrea Fortney at Andrea.Fortney@colostate.edu.
  • EmpowerHER – is a program for girls who have lost their mothers. This program is community-based and non-therapeutic, serving to remind girls they are not alone in their grief. Contact Alex at alex@empoweringher.org for more information and to get involved.
  • Matthews House – serves youth involved in the juvenile justice system, youth who are homeless or don’t have a support system, and every single youth aging out of foster care in Larimer County is referred to them for services. This program walks alongside youth by providing comprehensive case management, connecting them to community resources, and empowering them to develop self-sufficiency and a healthy lifestyle.
  • Youth Empowerment Program at the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center – The Youth Empowerment Program is seeking to shift this system culture by highlighting the experiences and expertise of young people who have personally experienced foster care. The main focus of this service area is to create a youth-led, peer-driven, grassroots advocacy group of young people, ages 15 to 25, who have previously experienced or are currently in foster care. As a part of the national Foster Youth in Action network, this group is committed to improving the foster care system through youth organizing, advocacy, education, and leadership development.Tax help – find more information here.
  • CobbledStreets – Cobbled Streets provides children in foster and kinship care with the positive childhood experiences and relationships they need to thrive. By offering individualized experiences and enriching opportunities, they help mitigate the long-term impacts of trauma and adversity. Cobbled Streets’ primary aim is to provide supportive experiences and resources to foster youth. They may be flexible in who they serve, do not have an age limit, and want to help students finish their degrees so they could potentially support a range of students.