MSU expands Spartan Tuition Advantage eligibility, waives application fee for MI residents 

In an effort to continue redefining college access and affordability for Michiganders, Michigan State University is expanding its Spartan Tuition Advantage program, which covers the full cost of tuition for all Pell Grant–eligible students who have a family income of $75,000 or less.

“With nearly 4,000 students currently benefiting from the Spartan Tuition Advantage, this increased investment reflects our land-grant legacy of broadening access to higher education,” said MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D. “MSU is committed to growing our Spartan talent pipeline of leaders, innovators and problem solvers — helping to support a thriving state economy.”

The Spartan Tuition Advantage covers up to 18 credits of tuition per semester for up to eight consecutive semesters through a combination of federal, state and institutional gift aid. Gift aid does not require repayment or a work obligation.

Prospective students must apply to MSU, be admitted and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, to receive the free tuition benefit.

“For three years, Spartan Tuition Advantage has helped bring the Spartan experience within reach for thousands of Michigan students,” said Keith Williams, MSU executive director of the Office of Financial Aid. “This expansion opens that opportunity to even more families.”

The announcement comes as the university celebrates Michigan College Month with the Michigan College Access Network. From now until Oct. 15, MSU is waiving the application fee for all first-year in-state applicants, encouraging students to apply for college and financial aid as soon as possible. Michigan high school students can use the code Spartan1855 for their application fee waiver.

MSU will offer additional application fee waivers with no waiver code required for undergraduate transfer and agricultural technology applicants during the following time frames in October:

• Undergraduate transfer applicants: In recognition of National Transfer Week, U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying as transfer students can have their application fee waived Oct. 19–23.
  
  
• Agricultural technology applicants: U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying to the agricultural technology program can have their application fee waived Oct. 1–31. An additional fee waiver period will be available March 8–21, 2027.