The MSU Libraries provides students with a variety of resources, both in the library facilities and also electronically. The Library provides direct access to over 4.5 million print volumes, and provides contact with a vast array of support services. MSU Librarians have been searching electronic databases since the 1970s. They can train you to construct better search strategies, a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Additionally, a Library Research Guide for Higher Education was designed specifically for students in the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education degree programs.
The HALE program, the MSU College of Education, and the entire university are fortunate to provide multiple and continuous funding opportunities for HALE doctoral students. Every year, the College of Education awards millions of dollars to graduate students through an array of fellowships, scholarships, and graduate teaching and research assistantships. These awards range from small tuition scholarships to multi-year packages that can provide annual stipends and benefits. Both entering and continuing students are eligible for these awards, although specific awards are targeted to different groups of students.
These opportunities are provided both from the College of Education and the university and vary in both scope and responsibilities. In general, most fellowships and assistantships require 20 hours of work per week, and provide students with the following benefits.
The College of Education typically awards about 400 research and teaching assistantships and over 300 fellowships to graduate students.
The Department of Educational Administration wants to encourage students to present papers at scholarly and professional conferences. Thus, students who have had papers accepted at conferences, or who have been nominated and selected for special Graduate Student Seminars, which some of the associations hold, are eligible to apply for financial support for travel and conference-related expenses.
To apply, download and complete the EAD Graduate Student Conference Support Application form.
The HALE program and the College of Education provide multiple forms of funding during the summer months. This competitive funding is awarded to students who present compelling research proposals, and requires students present their work at the end of the summer of their award.
| Summer Research Fellowship | Available to all doctoral students, this proposal is generally due in November with awards announced in February. |
| Summer Research Development Fellowship | Available to first-year doctoral students only, this proposal is generally due in February with awards announced in March. |
In addition, the Office of Financial Aid is the main campus resource for federal and state programs for student financial aid. The staff can help students with both need-based and non-need-based aid. The office is up-to-date on all the latest state and federal regulations. You can email the office at: finaid@msu.edu or call 517.353.5940. Office hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Students can look up their own OFA file on StuInfo. In order to sign-on you need to enter your MSUNet ID (Pilot e-mail ID) and password.
The Office of the Registrar is the official University steward of student academic records on behalf of students and the Michigan State University community. The Registrar’s Office collects, maintains, preserves, and distributes academic data with accuracy and integrity while maintaining and enforcing the standards set by federal and state laws and University policies and procedures.
Spartan Life is a helpful resource guide to campus programs and services, and also includes rules, regulations, rights and responsibilities that have been established in the interest of interllectual and personal development while protecting individual freedoms. It is published annually by the Department of Student Life in the Division of Student Affairs and Services.
The Graduate Student Rights and Responsibilities (GSSR) is located in Part II of the Spartan Life handbook. The GSSR specifically addresses graduate student conduct, academic pursuits, keeping of records, and publications. It describes procedures for formulating regulations governing student conduct and for providing due process in the adjudication of student disciplinary cases. It also defines channels and procedures for student complaints and grievances.
GradPlan was developed for Ph.D. students to lay out their Ph.D. program of study, record faculty approval, and make notes on all the degree requirements as they are completed. GradPlan will be the only way final degree certification/degree audit will be conducted beginning in Spring 2017. To learn more about GradPlan and its features, visit https://gradplan.msu.edu.