Audience:
Graduate seretaries, Graduate program directors and GAADs

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https://msu.zoom.us/j/91088146742?pwd=UzZSUVV3NCtBNnJ1dU9UMHdiY0pDZz09

Meeting ID: 910 8814 6742
Passcode: 148138

July 2 Email from Dean Jeitschko...

The Financial Aid Office, Controller’s Office, and Graduate School would like to take this opportunity to share 2 updates related to fellowships:

1. An updated Graduate Assistant and Fellowship letter. This document outlines recommended dates to follow when appointing graduate assistants and allocating fellowship funds to prevent overpayments.
2. Changes related to enrollment requirements, processing, allocations
   • Enrollment Requirements
     • Effective July 1, 2020 - Summer enrollment can no longer be waived in order to be compliant with federal financial aid policies. Students must be enrolled in the semester they are receiving aid. This policy applies to current MSU students and incoming students (Early Start).
   • Processing of fellowships
     • Effective Fall 2021 - Student Accounts will only be processing fellowships that are disbursed via monthly stipends (e.g. currently Step 4 in eGradfel - the fellowships disbursed on the 15th of the month).
     • Effective Fall 2021 - The Office of Financial Aid will process all other fellowships via Campus Solutions (the new SIS).
   • NEW fellowship allocations

• • • Effective Fall 2021 - All fellowships processed in the Financial Aid office will be disbursed in the form of a lump sum payment. Fellowships will no longer be allocated in the form of credits (tuition/fees). Campus Solutions will disburse fellowships based on federal enrollment guidelines only (no longer permissible “student must be enrolled in a minimum/maximum of credits in order to receive funds”).
    • Fellowship funds will disburse via the student’s account, it will not be possible to request hand drawn checks.

We recognize that these changes in fellowship processing might make some headaches for both departments and students. However, these changes are necessary to ensure we are compliant with federal financial aid guidelines. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.