Calendars
Q: Where would I obtain a university calendar of important dates?
A: The following calendars are available on the web:
Enrollment
Q: How do I enroll for classes?
A: Enrollment appointments (the date and time you may begin enrolling for future courses) are
assigned for each upcoming term. Students may enroll through
student.msu.edu after their enrollment appointment date/time.
Certain holds, also known as service indicators, may prevent enrollment.
Students are encouraged to review their holds prior to their enrollment appointment.
For more information, visit
Enrollment Information.
Q: How can I find my enrollment appointment time?
A: Log in to
student.msu.edu, select "Classes" then "Enrollment Dates" in the left navigation.
Q: Why can't I enroll?
A: Reasons you may not be able to enroll:
- Attempting to enroll before your scheduled time. Check your enrollment appointment information at student.msu.edu.
- No enrollment access. Contact the Spartan One-Stop at (517) 432-8000 or onestop@msu.edu.
- Hold/service indicator. View current holds/service indicators at student.msu.edu.
- Readmission may be necessary. Review MSU's Readmission Procedure for more information.
- An override may be needed. Review course restrictions and prerequisites in Course Descriptions. Contact the department offering the course to request an override.
Q: How do I check if I have holds/service indicators on my account?
A: View active holds at
student.msu.edu. Holds may affect your ability to enroll in classes or receive your diploma. If you have a hold/service indicator, review the details provided in the system on how to resolve it.
Q: What are the enrollment requirements for graduate students and teaching assistants or research assistants?
Q: How do I change my major?
A: The process varies with how many credits you have completed.
- If you have fewer than 56 credits (freshman or sophomore standing), review University Advising for requesting a major change.
- If you have 56 or more credits (junior or senior standing), begin the process with the academic and student affairs office with the college you would like to enter.
Q: How do I drop a course?
Q: What do I need to know in case I want to drop my course and/or add another course?
Q: How do I withdraw from the university?
A: A withdrawal from the university occurs when all courses are dropped within a semester.
Students may drop all courses through the middle of the class on
student.msu.edu,
or in person at the
Spartan One-Stop.
Courses do not appear on your transcript if dropped prior to the middle of the course.
Undergraduate students are strongly advised to seek guidance regarding the impact of withdrawal from the university
by contacting either the associate dean of their major college or academic adviser.
Graduate students should consult with their adviser, major professor, or graduate program director;
this is especially important if appointed as a graduate assistant.
Q: Can I request a waiver of late enrollment fees?
A: In extraordinary circumstances, late enrollment fees may be waived. Please submit a
Registrar Appeal form.
Grades and Academic Records
Q: Where can I view my grades?
A: Log in to
student.msu.edu, click the "Academic Records" tile, select "view grades" in the left-hand navigation.
Q: What does an NGR grade mean?
A: No Grade Reported (NGR) means the instructor has not yet submitted a final grade for the course. Once the grade is submitted, it will automatically replace the NGR on your record. You do not need to take any action unless you are advised otherwise.
Q: How can I know if a course I plan to take at another school will transfer back to MSU?
A: Use the online transfer credit equivalency system,
Transfer MSU, to see how courses from other institutions may transfer.
Q: Where can I find tuition and fee information?
Q: How can I obtain verification of my enrollment at MSU?
Q: How do I know if I am a full-time undergraduate student?
A: Students with 12 or more credits are full-time.
Q: How many credits do I need to be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior?
A:
Freshman, 0-27
Sophomore, 28-55
Junior, 56-87
Senior, 88+
Q: How can I obtain the description of a course I took?
Graduation/Honors
Q: Where can I find the degree requirements for my major?
A: Consult with your academic advisor regarding requirements for your degree.
Q: I am graduating this year. What should I do to receive my diploma?
Q: How can I make sure my name is in the commencement program?
A: Apply to graduate by the "Apply to Graduate Deadline - Commencement Program"
date indicated on the
academic calendar and ensure you don’t have academic FERPA restrictions active on your account.
Q: When will my degree be awarded?
A: As soon as all remaining requirements are satisfied.
Q: If I did not graduate as planned, do I need to fill out another application?
Q: Where is the Dean's List posted?
Q: What are the requirements for the Dean’s List?
A: The Dean's List honors all full-time undergraduate students at MSU who earn a 3.50 or higher grade-point average
for the courses totaling 12 or more numerically graded credits for a given semester.
Q: What are the requirements to graduate with honors?
Transcripts & Diploma
Q: How do I order an official transcript?
A:
Online
Submit a
Transcript Request and it will be processed within a few business days.
Transcripts are sent electronically. With Electronic Transcripts, an email with a secure access code will be sent to the
email address you provide. The recipient, using the secure access code, can view your transcript in a PDF format.
In addition to an email address, you will need to provide the name and address of the recipient.
It is your responsibility to notify the recipient that you requested electronic delivery and they should expect an email
from
rotran@msu.edu.
If you order the Electronic Transcript on the Office of the Registrar website, you will receive an email notice when the
transcript has been sent to the recipient and again when the transcript has been viewed.
In-Person
Transcripts may be ordered in person at the
Spartan One-Stop.
Mail
Mail orders must include your name, phone number, address, date of birth, signature, and MSU student number. Please also include a complete address to where the transcript is to be sent.
Mailing Address:
MSU Transcripts
Michigan State University
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 140
East Lansing, MI 48824-2603
Using the
Transcript Request Mail-in Form includes all pertinent information asked for above.
Q: How do I get my diploma?
A: Your diploma will be sent to the mailing address provided on your Application for Graduation and mailed to you approximately four to eight weeks after the end of the semester that you graduate.
Q: How can I change the name on my diploma?
Q: What is the size of my diploma?
A: Diploma sizes are as follows:
- Bachelor, Masters, EDS: 8 1/2" x 11"
- PhD, DMA, Medical: 12" x 15"
Q: What if I need to replace my diploma?
Student Identity & Legal Information
Q: How do I change my legal name on my records?
A: Bring a driver's license, official state ID card, court order of legal name change, or current passport to the
Spartan One-Stop.
You may also submit your request by emailing
onestop@msu.edu with appropriate documentation.
Q: What is the difference between Name, Legal Name, and Diploma Name?
A: Name is the name that a student, faculty, or staff wishes to be known by that may be different from the student, faculty, and staff’s legal name.
Legal Name is the name that appears on student, faculty, or staff's legal documents (e.g., passport, driver's license, birth certificate, official court document, or U.S. Social Security Card).
Diploma Name is the name students indicate on their MSU Application for Graduation which will appear on their
diploma. The student's name listed on a diploma or certificate must match the legal name as it is recorded on the student's
official university record, with the following exceptions: option of first name or initial; option of middle name or
initial; inclusion of former or maiden name(s); and inclusion of proper capitalization and accentuation of name.
Q: How to update my Name, Legal Name, or Diploma Name?
Q: Can I change my name to whatever I want?
A: No. The university reserves the right to remove a name if it is used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation.
Q: Will my name be used for everything at the university?
A: No. Your legal name will continue to be used for certain university records, documents, and business processes such as reporting, financial aid, official transcripts, and other records where use of legal name is required by law or university policy.
Q: How will my name display in university systems?
A: Names are displayed in parenthesis behind the legal first name across university systems, where possible. Your name will be displayed in systems such as Desire2Learn, student.msu.edu, Office of the Registrar Instructor systems, and MSU People Search.
Q: What is the process for having my name appear on my Spartan Card?
A: Your name will print in place of your legal first name on the front of your Spartan Card.
Legal first and last name will be printed on the back of the card.
The
MSU ID Office provides
further guidance on how to get your Spartan Card.
If you have recently changed your name, wait at least one business day before requesting a new card.
Q: How can I change my address with the university?
Q: What are my rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?
Q: Where can I get an I-20?
Q: How does an employer or lender find out my enrollment and/or graduation status?
A: MSU reports semester enrollment status and completed degree information to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).
NSC provides data on a regular basis to governmental and private lenders.
Prospective employers may call NSC at (703) 742-4200 or visit
www.studentclearinghouse.org to confirm degree information.
Tuition and Residency
Q: What does it mean to qualify for in-state tuition?
Q: Do military service members and their dependents qualify for in-state status?
A:
Yes. If the student, spouse/domestic partner of a student, or a parent/stepparent of a dependent student:
- Is serving on active duty in the United States Uniformed Services.
- Is serving in the guard or reserves in one of the reserve components .
- Has received an honorable discharge from one of those Services or reserve components.
Q: Does the payment of income or property taxes to the state of Michigan affect a student's eligibility for in-state status?
A: No. A person must be domiciled in the state of Michigan to be eligible to classify as in-state for tuition purposes.
For university purposes, "domicile" is defined as the individual's true, fixed and primary permanent home.
Q: Will I qualify for in-state status after completing my first year at MSU?
A: No. To qualify for in-state tuition status, students must prove they are living in the state of Michigan for non-educational purposes.
Q: Will I qualify for in-state status if I work in Michigan during the summer?
A: No. Part-time, temporary, on-call, seasonal, student, or other like employment in Michigan does not qualify a student for in-state tuition status.
Q: How long do I need to live in Michigan to be eligible for in-state status?
A: Both parents or legal guardians (if married/domestic partnership) or one parent (in the case of being single, widowed, legally separated, or divorced) or a non-dependent student need to physically reside in Michigan for 12 consecutive months.
Q: Is it possible to be a legal resident of the state of Michigan and not be eligible for the in-state fee classification?
A: Yes. The state of Michigan determines the requirements for becoming a legal resident of the state. However, MSU determines when a student becomes eligible for the in-state tuition classification at the university.
Q: Does an out-of-state student become automatically eligible for in-state status by marrying a Michigan resident?
A: No. Students may apply for in-state status after being married and living in Michigan for at least 12 months.
Q: My company has transferred me to Michigan. Will my dependents qualify for in-state status?
A: In the case of a dependent student, if both parents/legal guardians, or one parent (in the case of being single, widowed, legally separated, or divorced) is domiciled in Michigan for 12 consecutive months as demonstrated by their permanent employment, establishment of a household, and severance of out-of-state ties, the student will be classified as in-state.
Q: My family has just relocated to Michigan. Will I qualify for in-state status?
A: Both parents or legal guardians or one parent (in the case of being single, widowed, legally separated, or divorced) of a dependent student or a non-dependent student need to physically reside in Michigan for 12 consecutive months.
Q: If my parents move out of Michigan, will I lose my in-state status?
A:No. If a parent of a dependent student moves out of Michigan during the time the student is enrolled at MSU, the student's in-state tuition classification will not change if the student remains continuously enrolled (fall and spring semesters) at MSU.
Q: I graduated from a Michigan high school. My parents still reside in Michigan, but I attended a non-Michigan college or university. Do I qualify for in-state status?
A: Yes. If you are a dependent student, the in-state tuition status of a prospective student domiciled in Michigan will not be affected by the student's full-time attendance at a non-Michigan college or university, prior to enrolling at Michigan State University.
Q: If I move to Michigan and live with a family member, will I qualify for in-state status?
A: No. A student who is 24 years of age or younger is dependent of their parents or legal guardians or one parent (in the case of being single, widowed, legally separated, or divorced).
Q: Are the children of MSU alumni automatically eligible for the in-state fee classification?
A: No. The alumni status of the student's parents is not a factor in determining in-state tuition status.
Q: How do I request reclassification to in-state status?
Q: Can a student appeal the decision from the Office of the Registrar?
A:
Yes. Any student desiring to challenge the decision of the Office of the Registrar's Review Committee has the
right to appeal the decision.
The appeal should consist of a written statement and any supporting documentation explaining why the decision of the
Review Committee is wrong. Submit appeals to
feeclass@msu.edu.
Q: Is there an "effective date" that applies to a person's eligibility for in-state status?
A:Yes. Circumstances that exist on the first day of classes of each individual semester determine a student's eligibility for in-state tuition status for that semester.
Q: Are international students who qualify for in-state tuition still required to enroll in the international student health insurance plan?
A:
Yes. Qualifying for in-state tuition does not exempt international students from the MSU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).
If a student has other health insurance that meets university criteria, they must submit a request to the
enrollment/waiver vendor during the official waiver period. If permanent resident status is obtained,
the student’s status should be updated by submitting PDF attachments of the front and back of their
permanent residence card and student ID to
feeclass@msu.edu for processing.
This will avoid future enrollment in SHIP.
Lifelong Education/Readmission
Q: I am not an MSU student, but I would like to take some courses. How may I enroll?
Q: How do I apply for Lifelong Education?
Q: Who can I contact with questions about Lifelong Education?
Q: What online courses or programs can I take for credit and/or non-credit?
Q: What does "credit" and "non-credit" mean for high school students?
A: Students taking MSU courses under the Lifelong Education status will receive college credit. Students taking courses for non-credit will receive high school credit or documentation that they have completed a particular course.
Q: When do I need to submit a readmission application?
A: If you haven't been registered at the university for three consecutive semesters (including summer),
were recessed or dismissed from the university, or have graduated but wish to pursue another degree at the same level,
please submit a
readmission application. There is no charge.
The application should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar at least one month prior to the beginning of the
semester in which you expect to resume studies.
General
Q: How can I find a campus building?
Q: Where can I get Immunization information?
Q: How do I activate my MSU Net ID and email?
A: Visit
netid.msu.edu to set up your MSU NetID and email account.
Additional MSU technology resources are available at
tech.msu.edu.
Q: Where can I get information or resources for undocumented students, refugees and recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program?
Q: Where can I buy textbooks?
Q: Where can I find information about MSU's computer requirement?
A: For technology resources at MSU, visit
https://tech.msu.edu.
Read about:
For general technology help and support,
contact the MSU IT Service Desk at (517) 432-6200 or (844) 678-6200, or visit
tech.msu.edu/support.
Q: Where can I get answers to other general questions I might have?
A: Many questions can be answered by searching the Office of the Registrar website.
For any further questions, please contact the
Spartan One-Stop.
For general technology questions, contact the MSU IT Service Desk at (517) 432-6200 or (844) 678-6200, or visit
tech.msu.edu/support.