Spartan Advantage Program (SPAD)
What is the MSU Spartan Advantage Program?
The MSU Spartan Advantage Program (SPAD) is an MSU-funded program that reduces the educational loan debt of our neediest Michigan students. Institutional funds supplement other non-loan forms of financial assistance a student receives so that the average costs of tuition, fees, room, board, and books are covered.
Eligible students receive sufficient grants, scholarships, and work study funds to cover the average cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and books. Actual charges for a particular student can vary. See our costs page for more about average vs. actual costs.
The MSU Spartan Advantage Program covers
- average costs for tuition and fees at 15 credits per term during the fall and spring semesters and 8 credits for summer
- average room and board based on the cost of a standard double occupancy residence hall room and 20 meal plan
- average estimated cost of books and course materials
(Students with documented needs for course materials in excess of this standard amount should contact the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) for additional funds.)
Note: Because Work Study or Student Employment is part of your award and you will be paid every two weeks, you might want to consider a Short Term Loan to cover the purchase of books at the beginning of the semester. You can repay the loan out of your earnings.
NOTE: Because the Spartan Advantage is intended to supplement grant funds that you might receive from federal, state, MSU, or private sources, the award may be reduced if you receive other grant funds after the initial award has been made.
What is not included?
There are other costs of college that vary depending on the individual. Some needs are the same as you would have at home (laundry, bus pass or other local travel costs, entertainment, clothing, etc.). The Spartan Advantage program does not cover these costs with grant funds.
Students can meet these costs through additional work, savings, funds from family, or through low cost federal loans. We hope that students will budget carefully so as to avoid borrowing except when it is absolutely necessary. The Office of Financial Aid will be happy to assist any student who needs help in reviewing available options for acquiring funds for these personal expenses.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- Michigan resident
- Pell Grant eligible
- Student is from an economically disadvantaged background as indicated by total assets and total income from current and any prior year(s). The total income has been and will continue to be at or below the federally established poverty guidelines and the total assets are low enough that the family cannot use the income from them to rise above the poverty threshold.
- Total income consists of taxed and untaxed income reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For dependent students, this will be parent income; for independent students, this will be the student's own income.
- Total assets include, but are not limited to, cash, savings, investments, trusts, and real estate other than the primary residence.
- Full time enrollment in a program leading to a first undergraduate degree
Eligibility ends when you have taken the total number of credits required for that degree. If you have extenuating circumstances, you may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid for additional semesters of eligibility.
How to Apply
- File the FAFSA
- Be admitted to MSU in an eligible program
- There is no separate application form for the Spartan Advantage.
OFA will make the award if you are eligible and it will appear on your award notice. - Awards will be renewable each year for students who continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
From MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon, 7/17/06:
"Offering access to world-class opportunities for success is an important part of the value of an MSU education, and 'the Spartan Advantage' program is a beacon for those Michigan students with the greatest financial need who want the benefits of a world-class education. We define value as a synergy between affordability and quality. Since about half of our students receive some kind of financial aid, we're really excited about the Spartan Advantage, a bold step to reduce the amount of debt our neediest students will accumulate during their time here."
