Regulation Changes
Overview
Because much of the financial aid awarded by the Office of Financial Aid at Michigan State University is provided by the federal government, we must follow federal regulations regarding the type and amount a student may receive based upon various criteria. From time to time, changes by the U.S. Congress or the Department of Education will cause changes in our policies, processes, and procedures. The Office of Financial Aid will inform students by targeted emails to their MSU email accounts as well as by updates to this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it correct that students owing MSU more than $200 will have to pay that amount without any money from their financial aid being used to reduce their balance?
If a student owes more than $200 from a prior semester, they will be encouraged to pay all of it without using any of their current semester aid. If requested, Student Accounts can use up to $200 of their current semester aid, and only if they pay the amount exceeding $200 from their own resources. If a student owes $200 or less from a prior semester, and has completed all other aspects of the registration process (confirmed attendance, cleared any registration holds), Student Accounts will automatically apply up to $200 of current semester financial aid to pay the debt.
This suggests students will be unable to enroll/register if they have not cleared an outstanding balance of more than $200. If a student has already enrolled for the current semester, how will he or she be affected?
Students who are already enrolled and have an outstanding balance should have a hold on their account. They will not be able to make schedule changes until the past due debt is paid. They also will not become "registered", which essentially secures their classes and prevents disenrollment, unless they pay the past due debt.
Will students who want to make changes to their enrollment and have a past due balance over $200 be locked out from enrolling?
Yes.
