GPD & GPA Resources

• Unofficial & Official International Academic Records - 2025
• Major Code Changes at the Graduate Level
• Slate CRM

Students with federal financial aid may experience an adjustment in their aid package as a result of new funding (i.e. fellowship) which was not assessed in their initial semester aid package.

When the student incurs an additional educational expense (housing, books, tuition, research, travel, etc.) and receives a fellowship to cover the expense, the department can request that the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) review the student’s budget and possibly increase their Cost of Attendance to offset any possible reduction in aid. There is no guarantee that the student’s Cost of Attendance will be increased. 

Please be very detailed about the nature of the expenses. Please complete the form below and send it to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@msu.edu.

Please note: OFA will only consider a Cost of Attendance adjustment request when the student experiences additional educational expenses.

Deadline: The deadline for Fall 2026 international graduate admissions (including applications and accompanying materials) is Monday, June 15.

• International Graduate Admissions Training (Online)
• English Language Competency Information
• Sample Bachelor’s Degree from China 2008-2015 (PDF)
• Checklist of Required Documentation for International Applicants
• Policy guidance affecting provisional admission of students and the issuing of I-20s
• Proof of Degree Letter (PDF) – This can be given to applicants to provide to their universities in order to request official copies of their final diplomas.

Graduate Handbook Template

Each graduate program is expected to have a Graduate Handbook to inform students on:

• course and program requirements
• the timetable for the selection of a faculty advisor and the formation of a guidance committee
• examinations and graduation requirements
• policy for dismissal as required by the Graduate Students Rights and Responsibilities document.

Departmental and Program perspectives concerning academic integrity and how this is to be communicated to students should be incorporated in each handbook.

• Graduate Time Limit Extension Request
• Graduate School Approved Committee Member Requests
• English Language Competency Waiver
• Four-Year Degree Requirement

GradPlan helps master's and doctoral students create and store their degree plans and subsequent graduate program activities.

It is where students form their guidance committee (if required), create and update a course list, complete an annual research activity guide, and upload documentation of their annual review with their advisor.

Administrative and support staff will access GradPlan to view/approve course lists and committee information, view activity guides, and upload students’ annual reviews.

Graduate program directors and assistants are responsible for completing a variety of forms relevant to students. A list of these forms can be found below.

• Out-of-State Tuition Waiver for External Fellowships

eGradFel is a platform that allows MSU staff and faculty to initiate and manage fellowships. GAADs, Graduate Program Directors, and Graduate Program Assistants can read the manual to learn how to receive access and begin to use this platform.