Eligibility 

Find out if you qualify for financial aid—and if you do, how to make sure you continue receiving it.

The only way to know to be sure if you're eligible to receive financial aid—and the amount you may receive—is by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 

  • Admission to the university as a degree seeking student 

  • Credit enrollment

To receive financial aid, you must be a fully admitted degree-seeking student who is enrolled full time: 
 
12 + credits = full time  
9 – 11 credits = ¾ time  
6 – 8 credits = half time 
1 – 5 credits = less than half time 
 
In some cases, you may qualify for limited financial aid as a part-time undergraduate student (at least 6 credits) or a part-time graduate student (at least 5 credits). 

The following are not eligible for state and federal financial aid: 

  • Coursework that doesn't count toward MSU's graduation requirements 

  • Certain certificate programs (see Financial Aid office for more details) 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards ensures students are meeting progress toward their degree while continuing to receive financial aid. 

Financial Aid Process

I need to complete my FAFSA.

 To receive federal financial aid, you must be seeking a degree. 

2. Obtain a Federal Student Aid (FSA) by visiting fsaid.ed.gov 

  • Student and parent will each need a FSA ID. 

  • You will need this FSA ID to sign your FAFSA, sign your Master Promissory Note, and Complete Entrance Loan Counseling. 

3. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) 

  • Go to studentaid.gov. (It is recommended that you have your federal tax return filed (if required to file) prior to completing the FAFSA.) 

  • Click on "New to the FAFSA Process" (New Users) or "Returning Users" (Previously filed FAFSA) and click Enter your FSA ID 

  • Utilize the IRS Data Tool available when completing the income section of the FAFSA (this speeds up the financial aid awarding process) 

  • MSU School Code: 002993 

 
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FAFSA IRS DATA RETRIEVAL 

1.    Go to FAFSA and select “Start Here” for new users and “Log In” for returning users. 

2.    Enter your FSA ID (FSA Username and Password) and click “Next.” 

3.    Returning users updating current year FAFSA, click on “Make a Correction.” 

4.    Returning users completing a FAFSA for a new financial aid year, click on “FAFSA Renewal.” 

5.    If you haven’t already, create a Save Key and click on “Next.” Both you and your parent/s will be able to use this to access your FAFSA. 

6.    Go to “Student Financial Information” page or “Parent Financial Information” page. 

7.    If you haven’t already, answer the questions in the first box to see if you or your parent/s are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. 

8.    If eligible, click “Link to IRS.” 

9.    Enter your FSA ID or the FSA ID for the parent providing the information, depending on the financial information page you are on. 

10.  Click on “Proceed to IRS Site.” 

11.  Click on “OK” to accept the IRS Data Retrieval Tool terms of use. 

12.  Enter the requested information and click “Submit.” Remember to enter your address exactly as it appeared when you filed your taxes. 

13.  For your privacy, the tax information you transfer from the IRS into your FAFSA form won’t be visible to you. Check the box to “Transfer My Tax Information into the FAFSA” and click “Transfer Now.” Your IRS data will be transferred to your FAFSA and you will be returned to the FAFSA website. 

14.  You will see “Transferred from the IRS” in the appropriate fields on the FAFSA. 

15.  Answer the additional questions and click “Next.” 

16.  Proceed to the Sign and Submit page. Make sure all necessary signatures are complete. 

17.  After you submit your FAFSA, you will be shown a confirmation page. 

I have completed my FAFSA.

Completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is first step in the process to receive Federal Financial Aid. 
 
It's vital that you complete all the necessary steps each semester prior to entering the classroom or your financial aid could be delayed.  

1. Check CampusConnectionThe Financial Aid Office uses CampusConnection to notify students of items that still need to be completed. We strongly suggest you review the following sections regularly (found under the Tasks tab): 

  • Holds 

  • To Do List 

  • Communications 

Follow up on any requests promptly! 
 
2. Review your financial aid offer - Once your award is determined you are required to determine which available options you want to receive. You'll do this in CampusConnection. Keep in mind that your grants and scholarships automatically get accepted through the system for you. 

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3. Final Steps for your loans (first-time borrowers only)­ 
If you have chosen to borrow federal student loans you will need to complete two items in addition to your FAFSA in order to secure your loans. Complete the following items on studentloans.gov: 

  • Entrance Loan Counseling 

  • Master Promissory Note 
    - You will need  your FSA ID to login 

4Check your class schedulePrior to classes starting review your class schedule keeping in mind that the number of credits you take can affect your financial aid award. Below is a list of the different enrollment statuses and the respective credit loads for each. 

  • 12+  credits = full  time 

  • 9-11 credits = 3/4 time 

  • 6-8 credits = 1/2 time 

  • 5 or less credits = less than 1/2 time (not eligible for loans) 

Notify the Financial Aid Office if you are enrolled less than full time and plan to stay enrolled less than full time. Your award may be adjusted. 
 
5. Maintain eligibility for federal student aid - It is important that you, the student, are aware of the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) regulations you must adhere to in order to maintain eligibility for Federal Financial Aid. Any student that does not meet the minimum SAP requirements will be placed on a financial aid warning or disqualification status. This can affect eligibility for future as well as current semesters. In order to maintain eligibility you must: 

  • Earn a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.00 

  • Successfully complete a minimum of 2/3 of your attempted credits (66.667%) 

View the full Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy.  

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