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October/November 2022 Action Items and Resources for Students

October/November 2022 Action Items and Resources for Students

The following email was sent to all MSU undergraduates and contains action items and resources. It is reposted here for your convenience.

Dear Spartans,

We hope you are enjoying the autumn colors on campus alongside this last taste of summer weather. Whether you’re gearing up for the Spartans to face the Wolverines this weekend, looking for a student organization to keep you social as winter approaches or just looking to unwind as you enter the second half of the semester, we have you covered. The list of resources and action items below will ensure your next month is a safe, productive and enjoyable one.

1) Take care of yourself and others.

  • 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 MSU Police and Public Safety. Its “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.
  • October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The more aware you are, the more secure you will be. Visit MSU IT to learn more.
  • If you plan to celebrate Halloween this year, please do so in a way that respects the entirety of the MSU community. Some guidelines to keeping things festive and respectful can be found on the Institutional Diversity and Inclusion website.

2) Engage in your academic experience.

3) 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 Nov. 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 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.
  • It’s time to apply for financial aid for fall 2023, and spring and summer 2024. You must reapply for financial aid each year.
    • Who should apply
      • Most students are eligible for federal student loans. In addition, many students also qualify for federal, state, and/or institutional grants and scholarships.
    • How to Apply
      • Step 1:  Create a username and password (also known as your FSA ID) at studentaid.gov if you haven't already done so.
      • Step 2: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for 2023-24 at studentaid.gov.
      • Step 3: The 2023-24 FAFSA form requires 2021 tax information.
      • Step 4: Review your FAFSA information carefully before submitting.
    • Helpful Tips
      • Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. This tool transfers calendar year 2021 tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA securely. There are many benefits, which include improved accuracy of your FAFSA information and less likelihood of being selected to turn in additional documentation to verify your FAFSA information is correct.
      • Keep your FSA ID in a safe place. You will need it if you want to log in and make future corrections. Do not share it with anyone.
      • Visit studentaid.gov for more information about the FAFSA application.
      • If you would like to contact the Office of Financial Aid, please call us at 517-353-5940 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • 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.

4) Find your way and make connections.

  • Visit Involve@State, MSU’s student engagement portal, to connect with student clubs and groups. Search for Registered Student Organizations to join, events to attend, campus updates and more.

5) Get involved outside the classroom.

  • There are many on-campus positions now taking applications! View Student Life & Engagement job postings.
  • MSU is seeking tour guides for spring 2023! Share your story, strengthen your communication skills, build connections and enjoy flexible schedules! Apply by Oct. 30.
  • 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 their peers 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.
  • This is a reminder that on football home game days, parking lots and garages turn over to tailgating locations and buildings are locked for security purposes. If you need to visit campus during that time, please make proper accommodations.

6) Connect with important resources.

  • MSU’s Housing Fair is Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the MSU Union. While students in their first year at MSU must adhere to the two-year live-on requirement, other students should attend the fair and learn more about their off-campus housing options.
  • Students in the residence halls can now view the 2022-23 housing operations overview for dates halls will be closed and services will be reduced.
  • Learn about collaborative tools to help you become more successful. MSU IT offers a variety of no-cost trainings for Spartan365 and Zoom that fit your busy schedule. Visit spartanslearn.msu.edu.
  • 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).
  • The East Lansing City Clerk’s rotating satellite office will be open across campus leading up to and during the Nov. 8 General Election. Voters can register to vote, request and vote an absentee ballot, and turn in their voted absentee ballots. Locations and hours for the satellite office can be found at the City of East Lansing Election Information page.

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

We hope you have a wonderful second half of the semester – cozy, invigorating, fun and everything in between. Please let us know if we can help you.

Sincerely,

 

Vennie Gore
Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement

Mark Largent
Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of Undergraduate Studies