Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Fort Collins, CO
How students pay for Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Sticker price $34,684 a year. After grants, the average student pays $22,247, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $12,291 to $32,378.
- 89%admitted
- 25,538undergraduates
- 68%graduate
- 69%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
CSU Tuition+ Promise
Who: Colorado residents enrolled full time at the Fort Collins campus for a first bachelor's degree, with financial need and a qualifying family adjusted gross income on the FAFSA or CASFA What: Federal, state and CSU grants cover part or all of the student's share of base tuition, depending on available funding
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $36,113 a year versus $13,774 for Colorado residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
69%grant from Colorado State University-Fort Collinsavg $8,217
19%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,066
13%state grantavg $4,991
36%federal student loanavg $5,078
Scholarships from Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Green and Gold Scholarship for Colorado Residents$2,500 to $4,000 a year, renewable for up to four years
Colorado-resident first-year students with a 3.8+ GPA who rank in the top 25% of admitted students from their high school; competitive.
- Green and Gold Scholarship for Non-Residents$4,000 to $16,000 a year by GPA, renewable for up to eight semesters
Non-resident first-year students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher; the amount rises with GPA.
- Monfort ScholarshipStudent's share of tuition and fees, plus a room and board stipend and book allowance
First-year students in the top 5% of their graduating class (or #1/#2 in a class under 40) admitted for a fall start.
- First Generation Award
Students with financial need whose parents did not earn bachelor's degrees, admitted by March 1; competitive and limited.
- Community for Excellence (C4E) Partnership Award$3,000 a year, renewable up to 10 semesters
Students nominated through the C4E Partnership Network who show financial need and sign the C4E agreement.
- Fostering Success Scholarship
Students in CSU's Fostering Success Program with financial need, a 2.0+ GPA and full-time enrollment.
- Native American Legacy AwardReduces non-resident tuition to Colorado resident base tuition
Non-resident students who are citizens of federally or state-recognized tribes.
- CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA) awardsVaries
One online application covers many merit and need-based CSU, college and department scholarships for new and current students.
Priority FAFSA deadline: March 1 to be considered for need-based scholarships through the CSU Scholarship Application; May 1, 2026 for the….
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Colorado
Colorado Student Grant
Set by each college from its state allocation; the state publishes no fixed amount
Who qualifies: Colorado residents with documented financial need at a participating Colorado college; not every college offers it.
How: File the FAFSA or the CASFA (Colorado's state aid application); ask your college's financial aid office for its deadline.
Official rules →State grant · Colorado
Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expanded
A refundable state tax credit that pays back the tuition and fees you paid after grants and scholarships, for up to 65 credits
Who qualifies: Colorado residents who qualify for in-state tuition, finished high school after 1 January 2024 (or were enrolled in fall 2024), start at a Colorado public college within two years, have household income of $90,000 or less, and complete 6+ credits a term with a 2.5 GPA.
How: No application: file the FAFSA or CASFA every year. Your college tells you by 31 January if you qualify, and you claim it on a Colorado tax return.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Fort Collins
| Studio | $1,550/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,590/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $880/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 80523. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$15.16/hour minimum wage in Colorado
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $6,822 before tax. That covers about 8 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: rises to $15.71 on 1 January 2027; Denver and some other cities set higher local minimums. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$18,750median federal debt≈ $213/month over 10 years
$66,947median earnings10 years after enrolling
68%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Does Colorado State University-Fort Collins offer free tuition?
Yes: CSU Tuition+ Promise. Colorado residents enrolled full time at the Fort Collins campus for a first bachelor's degree, with financial need and a qualifying family adjusted gross income on the FAFSA or CASFA Federal, state and CSU grants cover part or all of the student's share of base tuition, depending on available funding.
What scholarships does Colorado State University-Fort Collins offer?
Green and Gold Scholarship for Colorado Residents ($2,500 to $4,000 a year, renewable for up to four years); Green and Gold Scholarship for Non-Residents ($4,000 to $16,000 a year by GPA, renewable for up to eight semesters); Monfort Scholarship (Student's share of tuition and fees, plus a room and board stipend and book allowance); First Generation Award; Community for Excellence (C4E) Partnership Award ($3,000 a year, renewable up to 10 semesters). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does Colorado State University-Fort Collins really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $22,247 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $12,291 to $32,378. The full cost of attendance before aid is $34,684.
Does Colorado State University-Fort Collins give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 69% of first-year students received a grant from Colorado State University-Fort Collins itself, averaging $8,217. 19% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,066).
How much is rent near Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (80523) is $1,590 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,760 for a two-bedroom, about $880 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at Colorado State University-Fort Collins?
Yes. The minimum wage in Colorado is $15.16 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $6,822 before tax.
How much debt do Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $18,750, about $213 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $66,947.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with Colorado State University-Fort Collins. How these pages work.
More in Colorado: University of Colorado Boulder · All colleges in Colorado →