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Student Support Resources

Student Support Resources

Whether you're looking for guidance on navigating a student situation or a resource to share directly with a student, this page brings together commonly used tools, guides, and campus resources.

Not sure where to start? Use Advisor Tools & Guides when you need information to help you navigate a situation. Use Student Resources when you're looking for a campus or community resource to recommend to a student.

Advisor Tools & Guides

Resources to help you navigate common advising situations, understand university processes, and connect students with appropriate support.

đź“‹ Advising & Student Navigation

Tools and guidance to help answer common advising questions, identify the right resources, and navigate university processes.

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The Undergraduate Academic Advisor Directory serves as a centralized location for advisor contact information for all undergraduate majors, minors, and programs. Click on the button below to access the guide. If you are an advisor who needs to request edits to the guide, please complete this form. 

Advisor Directory

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An official University resource for all University-wide policies that govern various aspects of campus is in development by the MSU Policy Library Coordinator and includes a University Policies Search page. Please also review policies with college/department administrators regarding application and for additional guidance.

University Policy Search

 

đź“ť Student Situations & Academic Guidance

Resources to help academic advisors understand and respond to common student situations, including academic concerns, reports, appeals, and grading questions.

Technology at MSU - 20090429.3548 (ZF-5271-28141-1-002) | Michigan State University

This guide provides an overview of EASE report processes, including a timeline that outlines how reports are generated and followed up with, perspectives from instructors, advisors, and students to give a holistic understanding of the process, and sample messages and email templates to support student-centered communication.

EASE Guide

Technology at MSU - Rooms for Engaged & Active Learning | Michigan State University

This short guide is designed to help educators understand options for postponement of grading, with a primary focus on the a commonly used option: the Incomplete grade. This guide reviews postponement of grading policies and procedures in detail, followed by an overview of other academic policies that may be more appropriate for students in certain situations. This guide also provides example communications from the Office of the Registrar, as well as email templates that can be adapted for your course and student population.

Access Guide

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Refer to this guide to learn how to locate, review, and submit the academic advisor portions of SAP appeals. Additionally, review the Office of Financial Aid's SAP page for more detailed information. This guide has been reviewed by both the Office of Financial Aid and the University Advising Leads group.

Access Guide

 

🧭 Orientation & Student Preparation

Resources to help prepare for and support students as they transition to MSU.

Michigan State Orientation – Apps on Google Play

Designed as a centralized hub, the New Student Orientation (NSO) Advisor Resources Guide offers materials, tutorials, and resources to aid academic advisors in their preparation for NSO. Click on the button below to access the guide!

NSO Guide

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The Basic/Essential Needs Educator Training was created to provide educators with practical skills and insights to effectively guide students to various campus resources that support a range of basic and essential needs.

Access Training

 

🌎International Student Advising

Guidance and tools to help with advising considerations when supporting international students.

Office for International Students and Scholars :: Make a Gift

The Curriculum Practical Training (CPT) Guide for Academic Advisors helps advisors understand CPT and support international students exploring or completing CPT.

Access Guide

Office for International Students and Scholars :: Students, Scholars, and H-1B Employees

The Supporting International Students Changing Majors guide provides guidance for advisors supporting international students who are considering or completing a change of major.

Access Guide

Office for International Students and Scholars :: For Community Members

This website offers practical guidance for faculty and advisors on supporting international students and understanding their unique needs and experiences.

Access Website

 

Student Resources

The tabs below encompass a wide range of support services, including academics support services, counseling and career services, financial aid, and student organizations. Select a tab to view additional resources.

Resources for students experiencing an urgent, emergency, or crisis situation, including mental health concerns, safety issues, and other immediate needs.

  • Department of Police and Public Safety — Provides emergency response, law enforcement, safety services, and support for the MSU community. Call 911 for emergencies or 517-355-2221 for non-emergency assistance.
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) Crisis Line — Provides free, confidential crisis counseling to MSU students 24/7. Call 517-355-8270 and press 1 to speak with a crisis counselor.
  • Care and Intervention Team (CAIT) — Provides a coordinated response to concerns about students or others who may be struggling, experiencing distress, or presenting a potential threat to their own or others' safety.
  • Mandatory Reporting — Guidance for MSU employees and volunteers on their responsibilities for reporting relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking, and other prohibited conduct.
  • Community Mental Health — Provides mental health crisis response, behavioral health services, and community-based support for individuals in the Greater Lansing area.
  • End Violent Encounters (EVE) — Provides free and confidential crisis intervention, advocacy, shelter, and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, and abuse.
  • MSU Center for Survivors — Provides free and confidential counseling, advocacy, support groups, crisis services, and other resources for individuals affected by sexual and relationship violence.
  • MSU Safe Place — Provides confidential advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, safety planning, support groups, and referrals for survivors of relationship violence, stalking, and harassment.
  • Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance — Supports the MSU community in addressing discrimination, harassment, relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking, and other civil rights concerns, while connecting individuals with support and reporting resources.
  • MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program — Connects students with food assistance and other basic-needs resources to help address challenges that may affect their wellbeing and ability to succeed.

Resources to help students strengthen their academic skills, access learning support, and navigate testing and accessibility needs.

  • Academic Success Workshops —
  • Mathematics Learning Center — Provides free, friendly math support and tutoring for MSU undergraduates, including help with many 100- and 200-level mathematics courses and select upper-level courses.
  • The Writing Center — Offers one-on-one consultations, workshops, and writing groups to help students develop their writing skills at any stage of the writing process.
  • MSU Testing Center — Provides proctoring and testing services for MSU students, including make-up exams, online course exams, standardized tests, and other examinations.
  • Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) — Supports students with disabilities through accommodations, assistive technology, resources, and guidance designed to promote full participation and academic success.

Financial concerns can have a significant impact on a student's ability to remain enrolled and succeed academically. The resources below can help students understand their financial aid and account information, explore scholarship opportunities, and find assistance when unexpected financial challenges arise.

  • Spartan One-Stop — A centralized starting point for students seeking help with financial aid, student accounts, enrollment, registrar services, and other common university questions.
  • Office of Financial Aid — Helps students navigate financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and other resources that can help make college more affordable.
  • Student Account Services — Provides information and support related to student billing, account balances, payments, refunds, and other financial account questions.
  • MSU Scholarship Database — Helps students search for scholarship opportunities available through MSU and other sources.
  • Emergency Funding — Connects students with financial assistance options that may help address unexpected expenses or urgent financial challenges.

MSU provides an array of facilities and services dedicated to promoting health and wellness. This encompasses counseling services, primary care facilities, and a variety of recreational sports services aimed at fostering physical well-being and fitness.

  • Olin Health Center — Provides medical care and health services to MSU students, including primary care, illness and injury care, immunizations, and other health services.
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) — Provides confidential mental health services, counseling, psychiatric care, crisis support, and other resources to help students manage personal, emotional, and academic concerns.
  • Student Health & Wellness — Connects students with health, wellness, prevention, and wellbeing resources designed to support their overall health and success.
  • MSU Student Health Insurance Plan — Provides information about MSU's student health insurance options, coverage, enrollment, and related benefits.
  • Recreational Sports & Fitness Services — Offers fitness facilities, recreational programs, intramural sports, group fitness, and other opportunities for students to stay active and connect with others.
  • MSU Food Bank & Basic Needs Program — Provides food assistance and connects students with resources to help address food insecurity and other basic needs.

For international students navigating immigration, academics, employment considerations, orientation, and life at MSU.

For students looking to connect with communities, find identity-based support, or access advocacy and inclusion resources.

For students who may benefit from specialized support based on their student population, circumstances, or need for help navigating university services.

  • Student Athlete Support Services — Academic and student support designed specifically for student-athletes, including academic counseling, tutoring, learning support, career planning, and personal development.
  • Transfer Student Success Center — Resources and support to help transfer students transition to MSU, build connections, navigate university resources, and thrive academically and personally.
  • Center for Veterans and Military-Affiliated Students — Support and resources for veterans, active-duty service members, dependents, and other military-affiliated students as they navigate their academic and personal experiences at MSU.
  • Spartan One-Stop — A centralized starting point for students seeking help with financial aid, student accounts, enrollment, registrar services, and other common university questions.
  • Office of the Registrar — Provides resources and services related to enrollment, academic records, transcripts, grading, transfer credit, degree certification, diplomas, and more.
  • Commencement — Provides information for students preparing to graduate, including applying to graduate, ceremony participation, schedules, diplomas, regalia, and other commencement details.

For students experiencing housing concerns or looking for assistance with stable housing and other residential needs.

  • Residential and Hospitality Services — Provides information and services related to on-campus housing, residence halls, dining, and residential life at MSU.
  • Off-Campus Housing Resources — Helps students search for off-campus housing and roommates and provides resources for navigating the off-campus housing process, including information about avoiding rental scams.

For students who need help navigating a conflict, university process, conduct concern, or other challenging situation.

  • Office of Student Support & Accountability — Supports students in navigating challenging situations and university processes while promoting accountability, student success, and a safe and supportive campus community.
  • Office of the University Ombudsperson — Provides confidential, independent, and impartial assistance to help students understand options, navigate university concerns, and work toward resolving problems.
  • University Policy Search — Provides access to university-wide policies and procedures to help students and advisors understand the rules and expectations that apply to academic and campus experiences.
  • Care and Intervention Team (CAIT) — Coordinates support and intervention for concerns involving students who may be experiencing significant distress, struggling to manage challenges, or whose behavior raises concerns about their wellbeing or the wellbeing of others.
  • Mandatory Reporting — Provides guidance for MSU employees and volunteers regarding their responsibilities to report certain concerns, including relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking, and other prohibited conduct.

Advisors often field student questions regarding co-curricular opportunities to explore career interests, immerse into the campus community, and connect with fellow Spartans. The resources below serve as tools to assist students in broadening their horizons and enriching their Spartan experience. 

  • Registered Student Organizations — Connects students with more than 1,000 registered student organizations where they can build community, explore interests, develop leadership skills, and get involved on campus.
  • Career Services Network — Helps students explore majors and career paths, develop professional skills, find internships and jobs, prepare for interviews, and connect with employers and alumni.
  • Center for Community Engaged Learning — Connects students with opportunities to serve and learn alongside community partners while developing skills, building relationships, and contributing to the community.
  • Office for Education Abroad — Helps students explore and participate in education abroad programs that complement their academic goals and provide opportunities to learn and engage in communities around the world.
  • Student Employment — Provides information and resources to help students find on-campus employment opportunities and navigate the student employment process.
  • Undergraduate Research — Connects students with opportunities to participate in scholarly and creative research, develop valuable skills, work with faculty mentors, and explore potential career or graduate school interests.

In addition to the campus-based resources listed above, the Greater Lansing area offers a variety of community health and wellbeing services. Explore the resources below and connect students with appropriate support as needed.

Physical Health

Mental Health

Housing Assistance

Substance Abuse