Eligibility
Eligibility for financial aid depends upon your student degree status and upon the types of aid you are receiving.
Student Degree Status
| Category | Description | Aid Eligibility |
| Regular Undergraduate | Working on first degree and have not yet met degree requirements | Eligible for all federal and MSU aid programs |
| Undergraduate, ready for degree | Working on first degree and appears to have met degree requirements per Registrar | Eligible for federal and MSU aid except Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and MSU programs for first undergraduate degree students only |
| Second Undergraduate degree | Working on second degree after having received first undergraduate degree | Eligible for federal and MSU aid except Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and MSU programs for first undergraduate degree students only |
| Additional Major | BA or BS has been conferred, and student is working on a specialization or additional major | Not eligible for federal or MSU aid. Private loans and scholarships only. |
| Lifelong Undergraduate | Not in a degree program and has not earned an undergraduate degree | Not eligible for federal or MSU aid. Private loans and scholarships only. |
| Undergraduate Certificate | Working on Agricultural Technology or Veterinary Technology Certificate | Eligible for all federal and MSU aid programs |
| Undergraduate Certificate | Other than Agricultural or Veterinary Technology Certificate | Not eligible for federal or MSU aid. Private loans and scholarships only. |
| Provisional Admit | Admitted to a degree program but admission is provisonal and requires completion of preliminary coursework | With documentation from academic advisor, eligible for 1 year for federal Stafford Loans at undergraduate maximum amount. Otherwise, only private loans and scholarships. |
| Graduate | Admitted as regular admit to graduate or graduate professional program (master's, doctoral, MD, DO, etc.) | Eligible for federal and MSU aid except Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and MSU programs for first undergraduate degree students only |
| Graduate Certificate | Fifth year teaching certificate | Eligible for federal and MSU aid except Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG, and MSU programs for first undergraduate degree students only |
| Graduate Certificate | Other than teaching | Not eligible for federal or MSU aid. Private loans and scholarships only. |
| Lifelong Graduate | Not in a degree program but has earned an undergraduate degree | Not eligible for federal or MSU aid. Private loans and scholarships only. |
Types of Aid You Receive
Federal Aid Programs
To be eligible to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualify for federal grants and loans, you must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, be enrolled in an eligible program, have a high school degree or G.E.D., be registered with Selective Service if you are male, have a valid Social Security Number, not have been convicted of a drug offense while receiving financial aid. More about FAFSA eligibility …
Federal aid programs have additional requirements which can be found in our Types of Aid section.
State Aid Programs
Programs available to residents of the State of Michigan have varying requirements. More about State of Michigan financial aid programs…
MSU Aid Programs
Newly admitted students are given automatic consideration for MSU non-need (merit) scholarships. The Office of Admissions describes these programs at http://www.admissions.msu.edu/finances/scholarships.asp
In addition, students who file the FAFSA will be considered for need-based aid from MSU.
Private Aid Programs
If you are the recipient of a private scholarship or grant, you must stay informed about any requirements to receive or retain the aid. For instance, you may lose your scholarship if you change your major or your grade point average falls below a certain level.
