Academic Programs Catalog

Richard L. Shipman, Director

The core mission of the Office of Financial Aid is to assist Michigan State University students fund their educational costs through federal, state, private, and institutional financial assistance that includes grants, scholarships, work programs, and loans.  Approximately 67% of all MSU students receive some form of financial aid through this office.

Most funding is awarded based upon financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which is completed annually by students and parents online at www.fafsa.gov.

Staff members advise students via individual meetings, phone calls, and email regarding both short-and long-term financial assistance.  Additionally, they provide general college financing information for students, parents, faculty, staff, high school counselors, and prospective students through a variety of workshops, presentations, and events.

For information on available aid and the application process, visit the Office of Financial Aid Web site at www.finaid.msu.edu, e-mail finaid@msu.edu, or call 1-517-353-5940.

Gary Hoppenstand, Secretary

The Secretary for Academic Governance is secretary to the Academic Congress, University Council,  Steering Committee, and Faculty Senate and serves as ex-officio member on the University Committee on Academic Governance.  The Office of the Secretary provides staff support to University Council and its committees, and provides assistance to colleges, departments, and schools in the preparation and interpretation of unit bylaws for academic governance. For more information, visit http://acadgov.msu.edu, e-mail acadgov@msu.edu, or call 1-517-355-2337.

Todd Edwards, Director

Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) helps student-athletes reach their full potential. Its mission is to provide each student-athlete with guidance, resources and support that will enhance their development both academically and personally.  This is accomplished within a proactive, success-driven environment which delivers quality academic services and diverse programming.

The SASS philosophy is to offer an academic support program, integrated with the university, that will assist all student-athletes with their transition into college. This all-encompassing support continues throughout each student-athlete’s collegiate career until the day he or she receives a diploma, obtains employment, or enters graduate school.

The SASS academic coordinators have expert knowledge in NCAA and Big Ten regulations and the Learning Specialist and subject tutors are trained to work proactively with student-athletes from 25 varsity sports throughout their college careers.

SASS is housed in a nationally recognized facility, the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, where a wide range of services and facilities are available, including academic counseling, computer labs with instruction, tutoring in all subject areas, career planning, community-service opportunities, personal-development workshops, and informing student-athletes about athletic eligibility, course registration, and current NCAA, Big Ten and university rules and regulations. Visit www.sass.msu.edu or call 1-517-355-2204.

The Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections (UAHC) is a place of discovery. More than 150 years of campus history can be explored using photograph collections, student publications, alumni and faculty papers, and records from university presidents and administrative units. Collection highlights of non-university related material include Civil War collections, lumbering industry collections, photographs of the Lansing/East Lansing community, and environmental collections. UAHC staff work closely with teaching faculty to incorporate original historical materials into the learning process. Materials in the University Archives and Historical Collections are available for use in the reading room by all MSU faculty, staff, students, and members of the public.

The University Archives is also responsible for the management of the university’s inactive business records, including the preparation of retention schedules for its administrative, fiscal, personnel, and academic records. UAHC assists university units in the efficient administration and management of official paper and electronic records of the university. The UAHC staff provides ongoing support and training to the university community in records management, storage, and retrieval in order to ensure compliance with all relevant state and federal laws and regulations. UAHC provides guidance on records topics, including management of electronic records, email, research data, and scanned documents.

For further information, call 1-517-355-2330 e-mail archives@msu.edu, or visit www.archives.msu.edu.

Dr. Barbara Roberts, Executive Director

The WorkLife Office supports faculty and staff with family care needs, career transitions, workplace challenges and relocation needs, along with research into best practices for flexible work arrangements in a contemporary employment setting. Education and support around workplace dynamics, resources, and climate are provided. 

The Office collaborates with partners across campus. Through consultation, education, resources, and referrals, the staff of the WorkLife Office coordinates services to provide support to faculty and staff at MSU to ensure more satisfying and productive careers.