Graduate Gift Aid
The term "gift aid" refers to any student financial aid that does not need to be repaid. For graduate students, gift aid often comes in the form of scholarship, grants, fellowships and assistanceships.
What type of aid are you looking for?
SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
Begin Your Scholarship Search Today
There are many sources of gift aid out there, if you're willing to put in some time and effort. Search the MSU Scholarships database here, or head to our main scholarships page for information on searching for aid in your community and beyond.
Commonly Awarded Scholarships and Grants
Michigan
The State of Michigan offers a variety of scholarship and grant opportunities, each of which have their own requirements and application processes. Some of these offerings include the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Children of Veterans Tuition Grant, MI Future Educator Fellowship, and the Tuition Incentive Program. View all State of Michigan Student Aid Programs.
Once you have submitted the FAFSA, you can access specific information about your eligibility for state programs using the MiSSG Student Portal.
Out-of-State
Students who reside in other states may look up the financial aid programs offered by their state by visiting finaid.org's state government page.
Federal Pell Grant (PELL)
(FAFSA required) Pell Grant offers assistance to high need students working toward their first bachelor's degree. The Pell Grant is funded each year by Congress, which sets the minimum and maximum award amounts. If you are eligible for the Pell Grant, it will be listed on your MSU financial aid award offer. Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA. There is no separate application, and the award will disburse automatically once you are registered.
Students are limited to six years of Pell eligibility, or the full-time equivalent of six years for those attending less than full time.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
(FAFSA required) SEOG is a federal grant available to very high need students working toward their first bachelor's degree. If you are eligible for SEOG it will be listed on your award offer. There is no separate application, and the award will disburse automatically once you are registered.
You must be enrolled full-time (12 credits per semester) to receive this grant.
MSU Spartan Advantage Program (SPAD)
(FAFSA required) The MSU Spartan Advantage Program (SPAD) is offered to new freshmen who are Michigan residents, Pell eligible and exceptionally needy based on family income. Spartan Advantage provides a combination of scholarships, grants, and work study sufficient to meet the basic cost of education (average cost for tuition and fees, food and housing, and books). This award is renewable if the student and family income continues to meet the requirements.
MSU Student Aid Grant (SAG)
(FAFSA required) The MSU Student Aid Grant (SAG) is available to undergraduate students based on need. Students must be Michigan residents.
There is no separate application, and the award will disburse automatically once you are registered.
Students who plan to become teachers may wish to consider the federal TEACH Grant program, which can cover up to $16,000 of your undergraduate education or $8,000 of a graduate degree.
You’ll have special teaching service requirements if you accept a TEACH Grant, so make sure you understand your obligation. If you receive the TEACH Grant but do not fulfill the stringent requirements of the program, the amount awarded in grant money becomes a loan with interest (at the same rate as the federal Stafford Loan) compounded from the time of the award.
The many requirements of the TEACH grant are outlined here.
The MSU Child Care Grant program provides funds to students with children to assist in meeting the cost of licensed child care during the school year. The maximum award for the MSU Child Care Grant is $1,000 per semester per child.
Information about the MSU Child Care Grant can be found here.
- Consider your interests, hobbies, jobs, and affiliations (and those of your parents), and begin your search in your own hometown.
- Check with your high school, clubs, service organizations or wherever you have demonstrated special talents and hard work.
- Find out if your parents' employers offer any educational benefits.
You may be offered a scholarship through the Office of Admissions simply by applying to MSU. Current and prospective MSU students may also check:
- MSU Scholarship Database: A comprehensive listing of scholarships offered by MSU. Many of these scholarships do not have applications and are awarded automatically by departments across campus.
- Special Scholarship Links: Links related to study abroad, athletics, students with children, etc. Students in these situations may have unique scholarships available to them.
Expand your search by using online scholarship search services such as those listed below. Remember that you will need to submit your application materials directly to the awarding organization and meet all their requirements and deadlines.
Watch out for scams!
MSU does not endorse any scholarship service that charges a fee. Be wary of companies that guarantee results. No company can guarantee that you will get a scholarship.
- Consider your interests, hobbies, jobs, and affiliations (and those of your parents), and begin your search in your own hometown.
- Check with your high school, clubs, service organizations or wherever you have demonstrated special talents and hard work.
- Find out if your parents' employers offer any educational benefits.
You may be offered a scholarship through the Office of Admissions simply by applying to MSU. Current and prospective MSU students may also check:
- MSU Scholarship Database: A comprehensive listing of scholarships offered by MSU. Many of these scholarships do not have applications and are awarded automatically by departments across campus.
- Special Scholarship Links: Links related to study abroad, athletics, students with children, etc. Students in these situations may have unique scholarships available to them.
Expand your search by using online scholarship search services such as those listed below. Remember that you will need to submit your application materials directly to the awarding organization and meet all their requirements and deadlines.
Watch out for scams!
MSU does not endorse any scholarship service that charges a fee. Be wary of companies that guarantee results. No company can guarantee that you will get a scholarship.