Graduate Students
[ What is Student Financial Aid? ]

Financial aid is economic assistance to help you finance your college education. This assistance is awarded to help pay your educational expenses. This help can be in the form of loans, employment, waivers, assistantships, fellowships, etc. According to the U. S. Department of Education, Federal Student Financial aid is intended to supplement, not replace financial contributions from you and your family (your spouse if married). Students have the primary responsibility to pay for college. The student (and spouse if married) are expected to pay as much as they reasonably can based on a formula developed and updated by the United States Congress. Please refer to the section entitled How Your Financial Aid Eligibility Is Determined in Policies and Information. The Department of Student Financial Aid at MSU administers Federal Student Aid in the form of student loans and work-study. The Office of Graduate Studies at MSU administers Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, Waivers etc.