Set Up Your MSU ID and Email
Setup your MSU NetID and email account as soon as you receive the instructions. For security purposes, MSU will only send messages to your MSU email account.
It's very important that you check your email frequently (mail.msu.edu). You should be watching for emails regarding your financial aid, grades, bills, and more.
If you have questions about your MSU NetID or email account, visit help.msu.edu or contact the MSU IT Support Desk by calling (517) 432-6200.
Watch For Your Offer
Beginning in January, the Office of Financial Aid starts mailing award notifications which list the grants, scholarships, and other financial aid that you are eligible to receive, assuming that:
1. You listed MSU on your FAFSA,
2. Your FAFSA has no errors, and
3. You have been admitted to MSU.
Accept financial aid in your student portal
Your award notification will include instructions on how to finalize your aid in your MSU student portal (student.msu.edu), MSU's secure student information system. Your portal allows you to view your aid and take action to accept your loans. This is also a good time to compare your expected costs (via the cost calculator) to your anticipated resources (e.g. savings, earnings from work, financial aid, and family help).
Manage your guests in student.msu.edu
You may have a parent or other individual that is helping you through the financial aid process. You can assist them by creating an account of their own that will allow them to view your information in your student portal (student.msu.edu) and receive a copy of financial aid and billing emails. For more information, visit our Student Information System Guest Access page.
Submit all of the documents that our office requests
Check your student portal often! If your financial aid application is selected for review, you will receive a notification in your portal. Send all requested documents promptly. Your aid may change as a result of the review and you can monitor those changes in your portal.
Pay your MSU bill
You will receive your registration bill once you enroll in classes. if you attended the New Student Orientation (NSO) program over the summer, your initial payment will usually be due in August. If you don't pay at least the minimum amount due (or confirm your attendance if no payment is required), your classes will be dropped and you will have to re-enroll and pay an additional enrollment fee. There's no guarantee you'll be able to get the same classes.
Any financial aid that is "ready" when the bill is produced will appear on the bill and reduce the amount you owe. Each semester's charges are due in full before the end of the semester, but there are deferred payment plans available through the Controller's Office.
Check your MSU student portal regularly for changes to your aid
Our office must follow federal, state, and MSU guidelines which can affect your financial aid. Things like a change to your residency classification, a graduate assistantship, or other scholarships that you've received can all result in a revision to your aid package. If that happens, you will be notified via a notification in your student portal (student.msu.edu).
Look for additional funding sources
Work
Many students can earn $3,000 or more in a school year via student employment and/or federal Work-Study programs.
Apply for a Parent PLUS loan
Parents of dependent students may apply for a Parent PLUS loan. The parent borrower must complete an application form and receive credit approval to receive the loan.
Apply for a private (alternative) loan
Educational loans are available from private lenders for students whose cost of attendance has not been met with other financial aid. If you have already taken advantage of federal grants and loans and still find the need for funds, visit our page on private (alternative) loans for more information.
File a Special Condition Application
If after reviewing the results of your FAFSA and receiving your financial aid offer, you believe your application data does not represent your current situation, you may be eligible for reconsideration by submitting a Special Condition Application.