<p>I just received my FinAid award statement and the only awards I received were loans...is this common of MSU? I thought I would at least be able to receive some sort of small scholarship, I have a weighted GPA of 4.4 (4.0 UW) and an ACT of 29</p>
<p>Same here. I got a Parent PLUS loan and an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Luckily they cover all of my tuition and board for the first year, though, so hopefully I won’t have to go private. I don’t know much about loans and I’m going to do research.</p>
<p>Yes, unfortunately merit aid is pretty hard to come by at MSU. I had a 3.7+ GPA and a 33 ACT and got just about 0 merit aid from MSU… and that was in 09 (admissions have become more strict since then). </p>
<p>They tend to focus their resources on financial need (specifically, those with high financial need).</p>
<p>If you are low income (VERY low income… poverty level or less), you will get the SPAD program but that won’t be listed for a few months. </p>
<p>You want to minimize your loans as much as possible. Work in the summers, move to cheaper housing after freshman year, buy used books, etc. Do whatever you have to do to try to graduate with minimal debt.</p>
<p>I have to admit, I was surprised not to see the Michigan Competitive Scholarship listed on my daughter’s financial aid letter. I’m hoping that is just a timing issue and will become available later.</p>
<p>Professional, the MCS is never funded until late in the game (thanks to the legislature). MSU doesn’t want to include it just in case the funding doesn’t come through (after the “Promise Scholarship” fiasco, I don’t blame them). I have received it every year despite not being in the aid package. It’s only $575 (though better than nothing!).</p>
<p>Yeah, I really don’t want to be saddled with loans. Problem is my summer gig is mostly temp work (come in on nights that we need you), but the schedule is so erratic that I can’t plan much in the way of two jobs. :/</p>
<p>My family has saved up quite a bit of money for college. That will help loads.</p>