Congratulations! You applied. You were accepted. Now it’s time to confirm your place in the first-year class
A PDF of the checklist is also available to download or print.
Once you receive an email with your student ID number and Personal Access Number (PAN), you can activate your MSU NetID and email account. After this activation, you will begin receiving communications about New Student Orientation (NSO) and you can complete your housing contract.
Make sure to monitor your MSU email account regularly, as MSU will send important information to this email address.
The first step to secure your place in the incoming class is to accept your offer of admission and pay your $250 acceptance fee. If you qualified for an application fee waiver, a portion of your acceptance fee will be deferred to your first tuition bill. Paying your acceptance fee holds your place in the incoming class and automatically registers you for the required New Student Orientation (NSO). If you have any questions about NSO, please contact orientation staff at +1 517-355-8490 or nso@msu.edu.
Acceptance deadline
If you are a first-year student planning to enroll for the fall semester, you will need to accept your offer of admission and pay your acceptance fee as soon as you've decided to enroll at MSU (and no later than May 1). MSU reserves the right to cancel your admission if you do not accept your offer and pay this fee by May 1. If you are planning to enroll for either spring or summer semester, you should pay your acceptance fee within four weeks from the date of your admission.
Acceptance fee refund
The acceptance fee is refundable up until May 1 for first-year students planning a fall semester enrollment. In order to receive a refund, you must cancel your application in your account by clicking the “cancel application” link, after which MSU will automatically process a refund. Please note that the acceptance fee is nonrefundable for first-year students enrolling for spring and summer semesters, as well as for all transfer students.
Your admission will be canceled if this step is not completed.
Log in to D2L (our online learning platform) and finish your New Student Orientation modules, covering campus resources and what to expect as a Spartan.
Your admission will be canceled if this step is not completed.
All first-year students, with a few exceptions, are required to live in on-campus housing for the first four semesters they are enrolled at MSU (summer semester excluded).
Housing application fee and advance payment
All incoming students pay a $50 one-time, non-refundable application fee (unless granted a fee waiver) in your My Housing account. Once the fee is paid, you will have access to the housing contract, as well as the housing exception form (if desired).
Along with the housing application fee, a $175 advance payment will be required prior to signing the housing contract (unless you have been granted a fee waiver). This payment works like a deposit and the full amount will be applied toward your fall semester bill. The advance payment is refundable if your housing contract is canceled before July 15. Students should only make this payment once they are officially committed to attending MSU for the fall semester, as paying early is not necessary for any advantage.
The housing application fee and advance payment are separate and different payments from the acceptance fee, which admitted students submit to the Office of Admissions. That acceptance fee secures your place in the incoming class and registers you for the required New Student Orientation (NSO).
Housing deadlines
You must complete your housing application fee, advance payment and housing contract by Tuesday, May 5, in your My Housing account. If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian will need to sign the contract as well.
In the spring you will receive more housing and dining information from MSU Live On — make sure to check your MSU email regularly for updates! Visit the MSU Live On website for more information about on-campus housing, the assignment process and to explore first-year residence halls and neighborhoods.
This step is required before you can register for your classes.
After you complete the New Student Orientation modules in D2L, your academic adviser will contact you at your MSU email address to schedule an appointment between June 1 and July 17.
Submit your roommate and housing preferences in your My Housing account no later than June 12. If this deadline is missed, you will be placed randomly.
Receive your housing assignment and select your preferred move-in date and time in your My Housing account.
Accept your aid package
In your student portal, click the "financial aid" tile to view and accept your aid package.
Submit FAFSA
If you require financial assistance and haven’t submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) yet, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. MSU does not require a separate financial aid application. However, aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so the sooner your FAFSA is submitted and processed, the more options you may have available.
For FAFSA opening dates, deadlines, timing of aid packages and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit the financial aid website or contact the Office of Financial Aid for support.
Submit your final transcripts
Make sure MSU receives your final, official high school and/or college-level transcripts no later than July 31.
Submit your official ACT or SAT scores
If you self-reported ACT or SAT test scores when you applied, you must send official scores by July 31.
Scores must come directly from the testing agency:
Take the Math Placement Assessment
Most students should take the online Math Placement Assessment.
Some majors may waive the university math requirement with a proctored score of 19 or higher. Check if your major qualifies.
Upload your student ID photo
Upload a photo for your Spartan Card, your official MSU student ID.