Next steps for admitted first-year students 

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

If you require financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon as possible. 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.

For FAFSA opening dates, deadlines, financial aid package timing and answers to other frequently asked questions, visit the financial aid website.

Prepare for housing by May 9
The housing application fee, advanced payment and housing contract open in February and must be completed by May 9. These payments are separate from the Advanced Enrollment Deposit collected by the Office of Admissions.

Housing application fee
A one-time, non-refundable $50 housing application fee must be paid through your My Housing account, unless you qualify for a fee waiver from the Office of Admissions.

Sign the housing contract
After paying the housing application fee, you can access and sign your housing contract. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also sign the contract. At this point, you may also complete the housing exception form, if applicable. All first-year students must live on campus for their first four semesters, excluding summer semester, with limited exceptions.

Advanced payment
A $175 advanced payment is also required upon signing the contract unless, unless waived by the Office of Admissions. This payment is credited toward your fall semester bill and is refundable if the contract is canceled before arrival.

Next steps
In the spring, MSU Live On will send additional housing and dining information. Check your MSU email regularly for updates. Visit the MSU Live On website for more information about on-campus housing, the assignment process and first-year residence halls and neighborhoods.

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.

Instructions for sending final transcripts