Basic Needs & Financial Support
We know that many students, particularly LGBTQIA+ students, benefit from different types of basic needs resources & financial support. Check out the links below to find resources that may work for you.
Scholarships & CSU Financial Support
Below you’ll find funding resources to support your tuition & housing costs at CSU.
Check out this page to learn more about CSU-specific scholarships that support students’ cost of attending the university. We have some options that are intentionally created to support those impacted by issues related to the LGBTQ+ community and those who have demonstrated involvement and commitment to LGBTQ+ issues, social justice and inclusion. You can also find more information about additional CSU scholarships, including:
- Leah Memorial Fund
- LGBTQ+ Scholarship
Below you will find links to Colorado organizations who offer scholarships to LGBTQ+ students and databases in which you can search for additional scholarship opportunities. The links below are not affiliated with CSU.
- Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community Scholarship
- Campus Pride LGBTQ Scholarship Database
- FinAid Financial Aid Guide – Financial Aid for LGBT Students
- Gamma Mu Foundation
- Human Rights Campaign Scholarship Database (Search by State)
- LEAGUE Foundation LGBTQ Scholarship
- Live Out Loud Scholarship
- Stonewall Foundation Scholarships
CSU Basic Needs Support
Below you’ll find resources to support housing & food security, transportation needs, gender affirming garments, hygiene needs & more.
Learn more about the Leah Memorial Fund here.
The Leah Memorial Fund was created by CSU parents with the intent to support the work of creating a culture of inclusivity on the CSU campus and who recognized the critical support the Pride Resource Center provides to students. The purpose of this fund is to support specific financial needs of students who have been impacted by circumstances connected or related to the LGBTQ+ community. This fund is meant to serve emergency needs and is awarded on a rolling, first-come first-served basis.
The Pride Resource Center, Women and Gender Advocacy Center, and ASCSU have collaborated to offer free gender affirming garments, resources and other high-need items available for free to those who need them. These items can be accessed in the Pride Resource Center (LSC 232) without providing any information.
- Chest binders
- Compression underwear
- Bra inserts
- Packing underwear
- Period Products
- Personal Hygiene Products
- HRT Support Supplies
- Gender Exploration Resources
- And more!
CSU Case Management offers a variety of resources to help students’ with access to basic needs. Email Help4Rams@colostate.edu to get started!
- Housing & Homelessness
- Emergency Rent Assistance
- Emergency Utility Bill Assistance
- Transportation
- Wifi Access
- Food Security
- Parenting Support
- Domestic Violence Support
- Health Insurance
Rams Against Hunger serves as emergency food relief for all CSU community members. Services include:
- CSU’s Food Pantry
- Pocket Pantries (like the one located right next to Pride)
- Ram Food Recovery (text updates about free food available on campus)
- RamRide Food Ops (food delivery)
- Meal Swipe Program
Food Pantry Hours:
Visit 1251 Mason St (Student Services Building) at their new location!
- Monday: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Wednesdays: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- Thursdays: 3:00 – 6:00 pm
- Fridays: CLOSED
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, can help eligible low-income families and individuals stretch their food budget (works just like a debit card). Case Management’s program, SNAP4Rams, helps students navigate this process & learn about eligibility. Email snap4rams@colostate.edu.
RamRide Secure provides financial assistance for transportation. Student can apply for $200 in Lyft credits to help get around, provided by ASCSU.
Additionally, staff in the Pride Center can help you get connected to Lyft codes for emergencies.
Career Center Funding Opportunities
The CSU Career Center has multiple resources to financially support students in employment searches, internships etc, such as:
- Interview Attire Fund: Up to $250 to purchase clothing for interviews, jobs, etc.
- Equity Initiative Fund: Up to $1000 grants for professional development opportunities for Black/African American students
- Unpaid/Underpaid Internship Support: Up to $4000 to reduce financial barriers of completing an internship.
- Ontiveros Inclusive Fellowship Fund: Paid employment opportunities for folx regardless of citizenship status.
Pride Basic Needs Aid Liaison
Have questions about…
- Affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day?
- Finding a safe and stable place to live?
Reach out to our Basic Needs Liaison, Michael Buttram to talk through your options & resources available!
- Basic Needs General Email: lsc_basicneedsinfo@colostate.edu
- Michael’s Email: michael.buttram@colostate.edu
