September 2022 Action Items and Resources for Students

Dear Spartans, 

We are entering what some think is MSU’s most beautiful season (it’s a lively debate)! We hope the crisp air and changing leaves provide a wondrous backdrop to a memorable semester. Below is a list of resources and action items we have gathered from all over campus to make sure your next month is a safe, productive and enjoyable one. 

1) Take care of yourself and others. 

• Stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 guidance by visiting our Together We Will website. 
• View helpful resources to support your physical and emotional transition to MSU from Student Health and Wellness.  
• The SafeMSU App is the official app of the MSU Police. The “virtual friend walk” feature allows you to share your location with a friend in real-time so they can follow your progress to your destination. The app also features access to Safe Ride from ASMSU and much more. 

2) Engage in your academic experience. 

• Visit the university’s Academic Calendar, and keep it in mind as you view and make changes to your fall 2022 schedule by logging into the Student Information System.  
• Spring enrollment appointments begin in October. Schedule an appointment with your academic adviser now to discuss your spring 2023 enrollment. 
• Check in with an academic adviser often. You can find your advising team on this list of academic advising resources by college and learn about your advising rights and responsibilities at MSU’s Academic Policies. 
• Plan your degree with the Academic Requirements Report (Degree Audit). 
• Check out the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative resources available throughout on-campus neighborhoods.  
• MSU’s 2022 Fall Break is Monday,Oct.24and Tuesday,Oct25. 
• Undergraduate Research has many opportunities for undergrads to participate in MSU’s wide array of academic research in science, engineering, medicine, the arts and humanities. 

3) Find your way and make connections. 

• Visit Involve@State, MSU’s student engagement portal, to connect you with student clubs and groups. You can search for Registered Student Organizations to join, events to go to, campus updates and more. 
• The annual Homecoming parade sponsored by the MSU Alumni Office and the MSU Homecoming committee is Friday, Oct. 14, beginning at 6 p.m., in downtown East Lansing. Homecoming is Saturday, Oct. 15. 

4) Get involved outside the classroom. 

• There are many on-campus positions now accepting applications! View Student Life & Engagement job postings.  
• Recreational Sports and Fitness Services (RSFS) offers three indoor intramural facilities on campus, a new turf field, IM sports and more! Learn more and activate your membership on the RSFS website. 
• The Career Services Network hosts resume workshops throughout the school year. Schedule a meeting with a career adviser in preparation for fall career fairs.  
• A team of students wants to hear about what students are experiencing in their relationship with MSU. Focus groups are being held throughout the semester where your voice can be heard. Learn more about how you can impact future students. 

5) Connect with important resources. 

• Take the Spartan Pulse Survey each month for your chance to win one of five $75 gift certificates. It’s a short survey on trending topics that provides you with the opportunity to make your voice heard and your needs known. 
• Students living off campus should check out the College Life East Lansing guide for helpful resources on how to be a great community member.  
• Learn more about on- and off-campus dining plans.  
• MSU IT provides free training on Microsoft 365 apps and Zoom. Visit spartanslearn.msu.edu for more info.
• The MSU IT Service Desk is here to help with password resets, Wi-Fi issues and any other tech problem you may have.  
• You can purchase tickets for the student section for football, men’s basketball and hockey (all other regular season sporting events on campus are free for MSU students). 

6) Billing and financial aid. 

• Need to make a payment? Learn more about fee schedules, final drop and add dates and everything you need to know about paying your bill for the fall 2022 semester. 
• The next billing statements are due Oct. 1. Please check student.msu.edu to be sure you are aware of any balance due on your student account. 
• Questions about billing can be directed to the Student Accounts office at Student.Receivables@ctlr.msu.edu or 517-355-3343. 
• If you would like a guest to be notified whenever a new bill has been produced, you may grant them access in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu. To make changes to guest access, click the “My Profile” tile, then “Share My Info Electronically” in the left navigation to update your options. 
• Check the status of your financial aid via the MSU Financial Aid Portal in SIS to review your financial aid package and act on any loans if needed. 
• Your financial aid package may not be complete until you finalize any outstanding items. It is important to make sure you’re looking at the August 2022-May 2023 tab to act for the upcoming aid year. You may have already completed these tasks. If actions on your financial aid portal homepage are listed as “Completed” or “Not Required,” no further action is needed. 
• NEW PLUS LOAN PROCEDURE: When you are approved for a PLUS loan, you no longer need to accept the loan in your student portal. MSU’s financial aid software will automatically accept and process your loan. Everything else about the process remains unchanged. Continue to use your financial aid portal to accept Direct Loans, edit loan amounts and cancel loans. 
• Questions about your financial aid can be directed to finaid.msu.edu, finaid@msu.edu or 517-353-5940.  

If you have any questions about anything related to MSU, please email studentaffairs@msu.edu. 

We hope you are having a productive and lively semester! Thank you for your part in making the Spartan community a sought-after destination for students from across the globe. Please let us know if we can help you. 

Sincerely, 

Vennie Gore 
Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement