The MSU Office of Financial Aid is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The office is commissioning a light post banner to be placed outside the Student Services building to commemorate the anniversary.
The MSU Office of Financial Aid was created in 1963 when the Student Affairs/Dean of Students office was reorganized. The new office was proposed to President Hannah in May 1963 and the reorganization is reflected in the September 1963 Staff Directory and in the 1963 Student Affairs department annual report.
The new MSU Office of Financial Aid office and subsequent expansion was a direct result of the Higher Education Act of 1965 wherein Educational Opportunity Grants, support for College Work-Study and the Guaranteed Student Loan programs were created.
In order to administer the additional aid programs, the Office of Financial Aid hired more staff and changed from a small office to a major unit. Today the MSU Office of Financial Aid employs about 40 staff in addition to numerous student workers and administers over $600 million to more than 36,000 students on an annual basis.