We hope you are enjoying your summer as much as we are, though we miss your students and are excited to soon welcome them back to campus. We’re also excited to welcome you! A hearty "Go Green!" (and a response of "Go White") to our incoming Spartan families. We’re happy you’re here and are looking forward to supporting you during your student’s time at MSU. Keep reading for ways to connect with us!
The first opportunity is the Move-in Family Meetup Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 25 and 26, from 6–8 p.m., at Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. We will have light snacks and a cash bar available and welcome you to come celebrate or commiserate with other families who have or will move their student in, on or off campus! Let us know you’re interested in joining by completing this quick form.
The other event of note is the 2026 MSU Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU happening October 16–18. Registration opens Monday, Aug.10 at 9 a.m., on Eventbrite and the event registration is free! Some of the add-on events have a fee but the tailgate is included free of charge – registration is required. Watch for an email with that registration link or find the link on our website along with other helpful information.
Many of you already know that you would like to attend the MSU vs. Northwestern football game Saturday, Oct. 17. Tickets to this football game can be purchased here. This is a special Family Weekend block that has a slightly reduced price per ticket, and all tickets are in the same seating areas so you can cheer with other Spartan families! If your student has season tickets in the student section and you want them to sit with you, you will need to purchase a ticket in the family section for them. Their student section ticket is not transferable to this block seating area, and family section tickets cannot be used in the student section.
Additionally, we do have a limited number of hotel rooms for those who live more than 90 miles away who would otherwise not be able to attend family weekend and a limited number of football game tickets. If this applies to your family, please complete this survey by 11:59 PM Friday, July 17 for consideration. Not all who request support will be able to receive it. We will communicate with all who request support by July 31, either way.
We look forward to seeing you this fall. Read below for great fall semester information, watch for the August newsletter, and let us know if we can be of help in the meantime.
Take good care,
Laurin
|
Supporting the work of Spartan Family Connections
Spartan Family Connections is a non-revenue producing office, so we rely on fundraising to offer extra programming and events for families and supporters (you!). Here are some of our fundraising opportunities.
You may already be familiar with the infamous and handy squirrel calendar, available to purchase online or in the MSU Union and 1855 Place Spartan Spirit Shops, to help you plan for important campus events and due dates. You may also find yourself in need of some comfort after your Spartan heads to East Lansing. We have you covered with unique and limited-edition branded items: a super soft Spartan tartan blanket, tumbler, postcards to send your Spartan, and more! Proceeds from the sale of the calendar and branded items are used to fund family programming and events. Finally, in partnership with Culinary Services, we have an amazing Spartan Family Cookbook, also available in Spartan Spirit Shops, featuring new and vintage recipes from campus, including Wisconsin Cheesy Chicken (IYKYK)! If interested in providing support without purchasing items, we also accept donations for events throughout the year. Thank you to those able to purchase or give and we love being able to support each and every one of you!
|
Student Accounts
Fall 2026 billing statements will be available on Aug. 8 and due Sept. 1. Fall payment plans will also be available Aug. 8. Please take a moment to review our Bill Pay FAQ and Payment Plan FAQ websites, sign up for Guest Access, and enroll in Direct Deposit.
Are you paying tuition with a state-sponsored 529 plan such as MESP, MI 529 Advisor Plan, Bright Start 529 Plan (IL), Indiana529, or College Advantage (OH)? Withdrawals may be requested directly through the student portal for many state-sponsored plans. To see if your plan is eligible, log in to student.msu.edu, select the Student Accounts tile, then Go To My Account. From the Make a Payment page, select 529 Savings Plan. Payments made through the portal are posted immediately to the student account.
Reminder: All scholarship checks should be mailed to the Office of Financial Aid, Student Services Building, 556 E. Circle Dr. Rm 252, East Lansing, MI 48824. If the check is payable to the student or a combination of the student and Michigan State University, the student must endorse the back of the check. Please see the Financial Aid FAQ website for information on how scholarships are applied to student accounts.
Questions about billing, refunds, financial aid or student accounts should be directed to the Spartan One-Stop by phone 517-432-8000, by email onestop@msu.edu, or in person in the Hannah Administration Building, 426 Auditorium Road Room 140. The Spartan One-Stop is available Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
|
Help Your Spartan Start Their Campus Job Without Delays
Is your Spartan ready to dive into campus life? With fewer classroom hours than in high school, many students find that a part-time job is the perfect way to build a routine, make new friends and earn some extra spending money.
Plan ahead: If your student wants to work on campus, they’ll need to complete a federal I-9 form and that means bringing the right documents to East Lansing.
Only original, unexpired documents are accepted — no photos or copies. A U.S. passport works, or a combination such as a driver’s license and Social Security card. View the full list of accepted documents here.
Pro tip: Pack them now! Tuck the documents into a labeled folder, so they’re ready when your student is.
Browse job openings at jobs.rhs.msu.edu, and remind your Spartan to check their MSU email regularly for hiring updates.
|
Connect Faster With eduroam
Students can start their MSU experience with reliable Wi‑Fi from day one. eduroam is the secure, high-speed network for laptops and mobile devices, on campus and at universities worldwide.
Students can set it up once and stay connected without repeated logins.
Get started before campus arrival:
Then on orientation day, students can open their devices and connect instantly to eduroam with no delays, and no hassle.
Learn more at ithelp.msu.edu.
|
New at the MSU Tech Store: Savings, Software & Semester-Ready Tech
Getting ready for fall? The MSU Tech Store has new options and exclusive savings to help Spartans start the semester strong:
- MacBook Neos now available – get the Mac experience at a budget-friendly price.
- Save $100 on select Dell laptops – including eligible Alienware systems.
-
Adobe Creative Cloud by the semester – full access at a discounted student rate with no long-term commitment.
Order early: Ongoing supply chain challenges may affect product availability and delivery times. Purchasing ahead of the semester can help ensure your student has the technology they need on day one.
Visit the MSU Tech Store to explore campus-ready devices, software, and support designed for Spartans.
|
Help Your Student Get Ready for Campus: Upload Their Spartan Card Photo
As your student prepares for life at MSU, one important task should be completed before move-in: submitting a photo for their Spartan Card. The Spartan Card serves as their official university ID and is used for residence hall access, Spartan Cash purchases, library services and much more.
Encourage your student to upload their photo as soon as possible so their card can be ready for pickup when they arrive on campus. Students who wish to display a chosen name on the front of their card should update their information in the student portal before submitting their photo by logging into student.msu.edu.
Students are strongly encouraged to pick up their Spartan Card from the ID Office before Welcome to State. Families should also know that many on-campus CATA bus routes remain free for students, meaning some may not need to purchase a bus pass.
More details about the photo upload process and important dates to remember can be found at idoffice.msu.edu.
|
Housing Assignments for Incoming Students
Housing assignments for incoming students will be shared in mid-July, and students will receive an email notification once they are available. Please note, the Housing Assignments Office assigned rooms based on the preferences students submitted. While we strive to honor as many preferences as possible, including bathroom type, we cannot guarantee all requests due to limited space. Our primary focus will be on keeping roommates together whenever possible.
|
2026-27 Move-In Dates
Move-in takes place over several days to help the process run smoothly and create a positive experience for Spartans and their families. Students will select their move-in date and time slot in mid-July.
- University apartment move-in begins Aug. 1.
- Incoming international students will move in between Friday, Aug. 21 and Sunday, Aug. 23 .
- New International Student Orientation programming begins Monday, Aug. 24.
- Incoming students will move in between Tuesday, Aug. 25 and Wednesday, Aug. 26.
-
New Student Orientation programming begins the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 26.
- Returning students will move in between Wednesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 27.
- Returning students can arrive after Aug. 27, if desired.
Learn more at liveon.msu.edu.
|
On-Campus Laundry Updates for 2026
Laundry is getting an upgrade this fall with the Speed Queen app. Students can use their MSU account to start washers and dryers, check machine availability, and better plan their schedules.
Each student will receive 500 laundry credits (up to 500 wash and dry cycles), well above the national average for laundry use. The app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Students without a smartphone can borrow a device from their primary service center.
This year’s focus is on improving the laundry experience by monitoring usage and providing real-time machine availability.
|
Have You Read This Far?
Let's celebrate with another MSU Dairy Store single scoop coupon giveaway! Enter here by 11:59 p.m., July 31 for a chance to win two coupons to enjoy a single scoop on us!
Congrats to Paula W., our June winner!
|
University Health and Well-Being Updates
Spot the signs, start a conversation: Prepare for fall with virtual mental health training. As your Spartan looks ahead to the fall semester, summer is a great time to build skills that support both personal well-being and looking out for others. As part of MSU’s commitment to mental health, University Health and Well-Being offers a free, one-hour virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training through the Ability Training Compliance platform (My Menu → My Requirements → MSU Recommended Courses).
Often described as “CPR for mental health,” this evidence-based training helps students recognize warning signs, start supportive conversations, and connect friends or classmates to help. It’s a simple, practical way to feel more confident heading into a new semester — whether supporting others or taking care of yourself.
Spot the signs. Start a conversation. Help create a campus where no one struggles alone.
Collegiate Recovery Community: Moonlight Film Festival
The Collegiate Recovery Community continues to provide meaningful opportunities for students in recovery to build connection. On July 23, students are invited to join the CRC for a trip to the City of East Lansing’s Moonlight Film Festival at Valley Court Park. The group will watch the 2025 live-action remake of “How to Train Your Dragon.” Before the event, students will meet at Student Services Building Room 27 at 7 p.m. to attend the weekly All Recovery meeting. Students are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. No RSVP is required.
Important details for psychiatric services at MSU University Health and Well-Being
MSU University Health and Well-Being is proud to continue to offer psychiatric services, now available through Campus Health Services at Olin Health Center. If your Spartan is currently a patient with psychiatric services, they should have received an email with the below details.
As of Monday, July 6:
For in-person appointments, please check in on 2nd floor of Olin Health Center.
For virtual appointments, please check for a secure link in the Athena patient portal.
Appointments can be scheduled by contacting 517-353-4660.
|
Campus Parking Updates
Bringing a Car to Campus? Plan Ahead for a Parking Permit!
If your Spartan plans to have a vehicle on campus this fall, summer is the time to get organized. Students living on campus must have 28 credits finalized with MSU to be eligible for a vehicle permit. Permits for the 2026–27 academic year are purchased through the online permit portal, and if a preferred permit type sells out, students can join a waitlist directly in the portal. Don't wait until move-in weekend. Review the options and secure a permit at parking.msu.edu.
Visiting Campus This Summer? Park for Free!
Coming to East Lansing for orientation, apartment hunting, or a summer campus visit? MSU is offering complimentary summer parking in Lots 15, 83, and 91 through Aug. 30, and in Lot 89 through Sept. 7. Parking elsewhere on campus is enforced per posted restrictions, so check the campus map at maps.msu.edu before you arrive. Questions? Contact Parking Services at parking.msu.edu.
|
Financial Aid Update
Your 2026-27 financial aid package is now available! Visit your financial aid portal at student.msu.edu and take action on any items that require attention. Your financial aid package is not complete until you finalize any outstanding items such as acceptance of loans you wish to receive (“Financial” tab”) or submitting any required verification documentation (“Documents” tab”). It’s important to make sure you’re looking at the AUG 2026-MAY 2027 tab to take action for the upcoming aid year.
Significant changes to federal student loans took effect July 1, 2026. Visit finaid.msu.edu/obbba for the most up-to-date information on the new regulations. Please contact Spartan One-Stop to see how changes to your student’s academic program or enrollment changes could affect their federal aid.
|
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
July
13: Tuition refund period ends for second summer session
23: Second summer session middle of semester
23: Last day to drop a second summer session class with no grade reported
August
1: Summer semester tuition payment due
1: University apartment move-in
8: Fall semester billing statements available in SIS
14: Classes end for second and full summer sessions
22-23: International student move-in
25-26: First-year student move-in
26: Welcome To State Kick-Off
26: Meet the Spartans (Spartan Stadium – free, tickets required)
26–27 and after: Returning student move-in
30: Sparticipation
31: Classes begin for fall semester
September
1: Fall semester initial tuition payment due
3: Spartan Remix
4: Last day to add a full-semester course
7: Labor Day – university closed (residence halls open, limited dining)
24: End of tuition refund period for full-term fall classes
|
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
550 South Harrison Road | East Lansing, MI 48823 US
|
|
|
|
This email was sent to davisile@msu.edu.
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
|
|
|
