Financial aid breaks down into three main categories: aid that does not need to be repaid (gift aid), aid that must be repaid (loans), and work programs. While many students use loans to round out their financial aid package, investing some time researching gift aid options could help lighten your debt load.
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) determines your eligibility for many federal, state, institutional and private scholarships and grants. So even if you think your income is too high, it's always best to apply.
There are scholarship opportunities all over campus, for a wide range of students. The MSU Scholarships Database helps match students with the scholarships for which they qualify, with just one application. As soon as you have your MSU Student ID number, you can visit scholarships.msu.edu to log in and sign up!
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.
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.
(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. For more information about Federal Pell Grant eligibility, go here.
Students are limited to six years (12 semesters) 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. For more information about Federal SEOG eligibility, go here.
Students who plan to become teachers in a high-need field in a low income area may wish to consider the federal TEACH Grant program, which can cover up to $4,000/year for undergraduate and graduate students who meet the following eligibility requirements:
Please note that TEACH Grant funds have a high potential for turning into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with retroactive interest to the day of disbursement. For this reason, if you are not committed to completing the 4 years of full-time teaching in a low-income area in a high-needs subject, you should reconsider receiving this grant as a possible source of aid.
As the nation's premier land-grant university, we are dedicated to making an MSU education within reach for all Michigan residents. In support of this commitment, the Spartan Tuition Advantage is a financial aid program that covers the full cost of tuition for all qualifying in-state students through a combination of federal, state and institutional gift aid, beginning with the 2024-25 aid year.
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.
All admitted students are automatically considered for Admissions scholarships. Admissions scholarships include awards for first-year students, out-of-state students, international students, transfer students, and more.
In most instances, the application for admission, including the required essay, is sufficient for award consideration. Any supplemental documents required for particular scholarships will be provided on their site.
Scholarship selection criteria vary. Satisfying the initial criteria listed does not guarantee that a student will receive an award.
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.
If you bring one or more private scholarships with you to MSU, you should be aware of our scholarship policy: