If you’re on a college student’s budget, these on-campus freebies can help your dollar stretch further!
I grew up hearing stories of how broke my parents were during their time as Michigan State University students. Both my mother and my father attended MSU in the early 80s, and coming from very modest households themselves, they scrimped and saved every literal penny they could.
My mom says she often gave plasma to afford food, and they were regulars on the Sunday-morning-cruise-for-returnables circuit. Fortunately for my parents (and me, I suppose), their MSU degrees landed them financial security as adults. Their pop bottle scrounging days may be over, but that doesn’t mean the life of finance-strapped college students at MSU still doesn’t exist.
If you—or someone you know—is a budget-conscious college student at MSU, here are some free resources that you may not have known even existed! From groceries to transportation to even free streaming, take advantage of these freebies as you work towards that degree.
1. For free groceries, cleaning supplies, personal care items, and more: Spartan Shelf
Spartan Shelf is a student-founded and operated food pantry that also supplies other necessities, such as menstrual products, infant and children’s items, toiletries, and household supplies. The program is so popular that it runs in two locations on campus:
- Spartan Shelf-Olin: This is an order-ahead grocery pick-up located in Olin Health Center, Room 151, on the first floor (please note this option is closed during the summer)
- Spartan Shelf-Union: The second option is an in-person market located in the MSU Union, Room 25. It operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spartan Shelf is open to all eligible MSU students and staff, but you must meet eligibility criteria and schedule an appointment in order to access the resource. Typically, anyone who has a family member already on a food resource, such as WIC or SNAP, will be eligible.
2. For free printing: ASMSU Free Printing
All MSU students are eligible to print 25 pages per week for free through the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU). Email the documents you need printed (and any explanation about printing them) to print@asmsu.msu.edu. You can pick up the printed pages in the ASMU’s Engagement Office, located in Room 307 of the Student Services Building, anytime between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
3. For a free ride home at night: Safe Ride
The ASMSU also operates the campus’s Safe Ride program, which offers MSU students a free ride home at night. The program is popular, so keep in mind that wait times can be as long as 30 minutes on high-volume nights, like weekends.
The service runs Monday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m, with the last ride request by 1:30 a.m. Students can request a ride to residential addresses only, such as an on- or off-campus apartment or house. The drivers will not drop students off at fraternity houses unless they live there. (They will pick up from fraternity houses, however.)
There is a service map available online to see where rides are available. All rides must be requested through the Safe Ride app, with riders agreeing to follow the rules or be denied a request. According to the Safe Ride website, Safe Ride drivers are specifically trained to provide a non-judgmental service, so if a minor who appears to be intoxicated requests a ride, that student will not be at risk for any punishment simply for requesting a ride.
4. For free legal help: Student Legal Services
If you ever find yourself in a legal bind, you can turn to MSU’s aspiring legal minds. Student Legal Services is an official MSU organization that offers free legal advice, assistance, and, if needed, representation to MSU students. All students who have paid tuition and are registered for classes are eligible, and no payment is required.
The program is sponsored by the ASMSU, and the legal contracts are through Jeffries and Associates PLLC. Anyone in need of help or looking for more information can call the legal office at (517) 353-3716, Monday through Friday during business hours. The office is closed for university holidays.
5. For free calculators and iClickers: ASMSU
By now, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that the ASMSU provides a wealth of resources for students, especially those on a budget. At the start of every semester, the office gives students the opportunity to rent calculators and iPhone clickers, completely for free. Rentals start the first day of the new semester and must be done in person at Room 307 of the Student Services Building. Bring your student ID to check out a rental.
If you prefer, you can also call the ASMSU office at (517) 355-8266 or email them at info@asmsu.msu.edu to check their rental availability before stopping in. If you fail to return your borrowed equipment, or if you break it, you will be charged a replacement fee through your student account.
6. For free math tutoring: Math Learning Center
This is one of the circumstances where I wish I were a current MSU student, because I still need all the help I can get with math. I am, sadly, not an MSU student, but if you are, you can get free math tutoring for 100- and 200-level math classes, as well as some upper-level options at the Mathematics Learning Center.
The tutoring is convenient too—you can visit the main Math Learning Center in Wells Hall Room D101, one of the three satellite locations, or simply elect for a tutoring lesson via Zoom. The tutors are all trained and most even teach actual undergrad math courses, so they’re the real deal.
7. For free help with writing: The Writing Center
In a world of artificial intelligence writing, get help from an actual, real-life human who can help you more than an impersonal bot. As a writer, I may be biased on this one, but The Writing Center at MSU does more than just tutoring for English and writing—they also offer support along all writing journeys.
You may pop in to get help with your paper, then find yourself joining a local writing group, or even (gasp) sitting in on a write-in session. Another invaluable aspect of The Writing Center is that it offers tailored support for different programs and degree pathways. For instance, there are special dissertation write-ins for Master’s and PhD degrees, as well as creative writing groups and even one-on-one consultations available.
8. For free textbooks: MSU Libraries
This one is not a guarantee, but MSU Libraries offers a collection of donated physical and e-textbooks that are free for the taking to students in need. Simply search by course name, number, or instructor to find if the book you are looking for exists in their donation catalog.
Each item available will have its own format and detail any restrictions. For instance, some textbooks may only be available by loan, and others may require you to download them and print some pages before returning.
9. For free medical care: Campus Health Services
We all know accessing and affording proper medical, physical, and mental health care can be a challenge, but MSU students can take proactive steps for their health by using their three free visits per year at Campus Health Services. The visits are included as part of your tuition, so you’ve already paid for them as an MSU student.
The three free visits are for the Olin Health Center medical office, and available services there include:
- Primary care
- Gynecological care
- ADHD/ADD management
- Radiology
- Psychiatry
- Transgender care
You must make an appointment before your visit. Also, keep in mind that the year starts over in the academic year, not calendar year, so you may be eligible for more visits than you realize!
10. For free mental health services: CAPS
In addition to the three medical visits per academic year, MSU students also have access to three free mental health service appointments through the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) department. CAPS can provide ongoing wellness services as well as crisis mental health assistance.
Ongoing counseling appointments are free and do not count for the three free visits.
11. For free newspaper subscriptions: Readership Program
If you’d like to enjoy browsing through The New York Times with your coffee, as an MSU student, you can do just that—all for free! MSU students are eligible for a free subscription to several newspapers, including:
- The New York Times
- Detroit Free Press
- USA Today
- Lansing State Journal
It may take until you’re a bit older for you to appreciate how valuable those subscriptions really are, so enjoy them while they last!
12. For free streaming: MSU On Campus
MSU students have access to many different free streaming services for entertainment. For instance, students staying on campus can get a free Xfinity account by logging in with their MSU student credentials.
The Residence Halls Association Director of Media and Entertainment also offers an ongoing curated collection of movies and shows that all students can stream for free through RHA On Demand—all you have to do is connect to the on-campus WiFi to get access. The collection is updated monthly with fresh options. Students can even request their favorite shows or movies. MSU’s library also offers a streaming video guide with even more additional options for students to access free entertainment.
13. For free tax help: MSU VITA
Any MSU student who needs assistance filing their taxes and meets certain eligibility requirements (students must make less than $67,000 per year and/or have a disability) can get free help through MSU VITA.
Students must schedule an appointment to receive help with their taxes. Appointments only run a few nights a week during tax season, so plan accordingly.
14. For free emergency contraception: ELFREEEC
The East Lansing Emergency Free Contraception group is a student-led initiative to offer free emergency contraceptives to MSU students. The organization used to offer free emergency delivery, but has paused delivery services as of right now.
However, students can access one of four different vending machines on campus that all offer free emergency contraceptives, no questions asked.
15. For a free movie theater night: Campus Cinemas
Going to the movie theater these days feels like an expensive luxury, which is why so many MSU students are thrilled to discover the existence of Campus Cinemas, an MSU organization that converts lecture halls into movie theaters for students.
The movie nights often include free snacks and even fun giveaways sometimes. Check the Campus Cinemas Instagram page for schedules (they typically don’t run over the summer) and updates.
