Library
Michigan State University

Change a Student’s Life

4 Simple Ways Anyone Can Give the Gift of Education

College: a time of new friendships, inspiring classes and uplifting traditions. It can be one of the most transformational periods of a person’s life.

Creating a scholarship is a heartfelt way for you to become a partner in a student’s quest to have an indelible college experience. You might be surprised to learn there are several simple ways to establish or contribute to a scholarship. None of them require a large amount of upfront funds—in fact, many don’t require any cash at all.

We encourage you to get in touch to discuss the type of difference you would like to make. By partnering together, we can ensure your scholarship can become a reality and deliver maximum impact for future students.

Good to Know: There are opportunities to name your scholarship in honor of someone who has made an impact on your life. This is a thoughtful way to celebrate one person as you assist others.

Scholarships

Simple and Effective Ways to Support Future Generations of Students

Creating a scholarship with cash is an option. But it’s far from the only way. Here are four of the many giving opportunities that you can choose from. You can even use these options in combination with one another—allowing you to change lives immediately and in the future:

A gift in your will
Remembering Michigan State University in your will is an easy, flexible way to provide support. This choice costs you nothing today, but it will provide critical resources for tomorrow’s students. If you have already included us in your will, we encourage you to let us know so we can understand how you would like your gift to be used.

Appreciated assets
Gifting an appreciated asset, such as stock, that you have owned for more than one year may allow you to eliminate the capital gains tax on the asset’s appreciation. Plus, you will be able to see your generosity make a difference right away.

Retirement plan assets
Name us as a beneficiary to receive all or part of your retirement plan assets. When left to loved ones, distributions from your account are subject to income tax. As a tax-exempt institution, we pay no income tax on the gift and receive the full amount. Or, if you are 70½ or older, you can support students today by making a gift directly from your IRA in any amount up to the maximum allowed by law.
Tip: No matter your age, including us as a partial or full beneficiary of your IRA is a simple way to create your legacy, and it costs nothing to complete.

A donor advised fund
This popular option is like a charitable savings account and may come with tax benefits. You can make an immediate impact by recommending a grant to us now or to make future or recurring grants.
Tip: Naming us a partial or full beneficiary of your DAF is a meaningful way to grow your support into a lasting legacy—without any upfront costs.


No matter which giving option you choose, we encourage you to let us know about your generosity. That way, we can ensure your scholarship is set up to your preferences and your future plans are documented exactly as you intend.

Plus, there are opportunities for you to combine a gift you give today with a gift you make through your estate plan—creating an opportunity for you to have an even bigger impact.

Scholarships

Make Your Scholarship Last Forever

Would you like your generosity to last forever? Consider endowing your gift.

When you endow your gift, the funds are invested to generate income that is then used to provide scholarship support to deserving students year after year. You can contribute to an existing endowment or you can choose to create your own fund. Creating your own endowment does require a minimum donation amount.

Endowed scholarships are a perfect way to ensure you can help future students—always.

Change a Student’s Life

Your Next Steps

Scholarships are incredibly personal and meaningful—and you can start changing a student’s life sooner than you think.

There are many options for scholarship giving that we would be happy to discuss with you. Please get in touch to tell us about the legacy you wish to create. We would be delighted to help you build a scholarship that reflects your values and accomplishes your goals.

Gift Planning Team MSU Office of Gift Planning
University Development
Phone: 800-232-4678 | 517-884-1000
Email: giftplan@msu.edu
535 Chestnut Road
Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824

Meet the team

Change a Student’s Life

Let us know your questions.

I Have a Question

Name is required
Please include an '@' in the email address

Thank You for Contacting Us

Someone from Michigan State University will be in contact with you soon. If you need to speak to us immediately, please call us at 800-232-4678 | 517-884-1000.