Recognizing the various needs of those affected by the Feb. 13 tragedy on the campus of Michigan State University, students, faculty, staff and first responders can now apply for reimbursements for mental health services from the Spartan Strong Fund. One quarter of the fund, or $500,000, will be allocated to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for mental health services to support individual healing.

MSU’s University Health and Wellbeing, or UHW, announced today that it is ready to begin accepting applications for reimbursement.

Qualifying out-of-pocket expenses include deductibles, co-pays or coinsurance related to:

• Outpatient counseling and mental health care services, including telehealth
• Inpatient hospitalization with a mental health diagnosis
• Residential mental health treatment

All available insurance coverage must be met before submitting for reimbursement. To apply for mental health care reimbursements, please visit UHW Spartan Strong Fund.

“Utilizing the Spartan Strong Fund to support mental health services for students, staff, faculty and first responders affected by Feb. 13 is critical for facilitating their journey toward recovery,” said Assistant Provost and UHW Executive Director Alexis Travis.

The Spartan Strong Fund received more than $2 million from more than 4,200 donors after Feb. 13. Beyond this mental health services reimbursement initiative, MSU has provided health care and tuition reimbursement as well as access to the state compensation program for those most directly impacted.

On June 9, 2023, Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D., unveiled the distribution plan for the Spartan Strong Fund and announced the funds were designated to support impacted students, their families and employees following Feb. 13.

“We are forever grateful to the generosity of thousands of people who helped our community on a path to healing through the Spartan Strong Fund,” said Woodruff. “Mental health services and support have been an essential part of individuals’ recovery, and it was a priority to support these efforts with the fund.”

“Each of us is impacted differently by Feb.13,” added Travis. “Trauma is experienced uniquely by individuals and each of us is on our own path toward healing. Not all Spartans may feel traumatized by Feb.13, and that is OK too.”

Requests for reimbursement will be accepted for up to three years from Jan. 24, 2024, as funds remain available. Applicants are encouraged to complete their reimbursement request as soon as possible. For additional information about applying for out-of-pocket mental health care services reimbursement, please visit the Spartan Strong Fund webpage.