Congratulations! You applied. You were accepted. Now it’s time to confirm your place in the first-year class.
Please thoroughly review all of the steps listed below and complete them as soon as possible. After being admitted, these steps can also be viewed in your account.
You’re just steps away from being an official Spartan! Here’s your checklist.
All admitted students who plan to attend Michigan State University for the fall semester should reserve their place in the incoming class as soon as they have decided to enroll at MSU. Complete the steps below to reserve your place at MSU.
Complete by May 1
The first step to secure your place in the incoming class is to submit the $250 Advanced Enrollment Deposit. If you qualified for an application fee waiver, a portion of your deposit will be deferred. Submitting your deposit holds your place in the incoming class and automatically registers you for the required New Student Orientation (NSO). Visit the orientation website for more information on NSO. If you have any questions about NSO, please contact orientation staff at +1 517-355-8490 or nso@msu.edu.
Deposit deadline
First-year students planning a fall semester enrollment should submit a deposit as soon as they have decided to enroll at MSU, but no later than May 1. MSU reserves the right to cancel your admission if you do not submit your deposit by May 1. Any student planning to enroll for either the spring or summer semester should submit the deposit within four weeks from the date of their admission.
Deposit refund
The deposit 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 deposit is nonrefundable for first-year students enrolling for spring and summer semesters, as well as for all transfer students.
Log in to submit your deposit
Complete by May 1
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.
Complete as soon as possible; must be accepted and finalized by mid-July
If you require financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon as possible after Oct. 1 of the year before you plan to enroll. Your application must be accepted and finalized by mid-July. FAFSA evaluates eligibility for need-based aid, including federal loans, and gives students access to need-based grants, scholarships, loans and work-study.
MSU does not have a separate financial aid application; however, aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted based upon receipt of the FAFSA. After MSU has received and processed your FAFSA, you will be able to view your financial aid package in MSU's secure Student Information System.
Sign housing contract by May 5
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).
In the spring you will receive more housing and dining information, including requirements and deadlines, from MSU Live On. Be sure to regularly check your MSU email address for updates. Visit the MSU Live On website for more information about on-campus housing and to explore first-year residence halls and neighborhoods.
Also in the spring you will log in to your My Housing account and sign your housing contract. If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian will need to sign the contract as well. You should submit your Advanced Enrollment Deposit and sign your housing contract no later than May 5.
Complete prior to starting checkpoint 2 of your New Student Orientation
If you self-reported your ACT or SAT scores at the time you applied, you must submit your official scores prior to starting checkpoint 2 of your New Student Orientation. More information about the checkpoints can be found on the orientation website. ACT or SAT scores should be sent directly to MSU by the testing agency. The ACT code is 2032; the SAT code is 1465. For more information about having your scores sent from the testing agency, visit ACT or SAT online.
Complete by mid-July
Before attending Michigan State University, all incoming first-year students must submit all final, official transcripts to MSU as soon as possible, but no later than mid-July.
Continue to the next step:
Prepare to enroll