Saginaw Valley State University

When you come to SVSU, you become part of We. It all begins here with almost 9,000 students from 42 different nations, 1,300 caring staff and faculty working across five colleges in one Cardinal Country.

Your Cardinal story starts here. We unleash your potential. We guide your goals. When you come to SVSU, you become part of We - a community unlike any you’ve known. And, we want you to join us.

There are several different types of financial aid that will help pay for your education. Your financial aid package can include scholarships, grants, loans and work-study. You can accept all or part of what is offered to you.

Scholarships may be awarded based on academics, financial need or both. Scholarships are considered gift aid and do not have to be re-paid.

Grants are generally based upon a student’s financial need (need-based) or upon a student’s skill or ability (merit-based). Grants do not have to be re-paid.

Student loans assist with any unmet educational cost and is money borrowed that must be re-paid with interest. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Loans made by the federal government usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options than loans from banks or other private sources.

Work-Study provides part-time, on-campus employment for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education expenses. Other student employment opportunities exist that are not based upon financial need, providing students access to part-time jobs on campus while attending SVSU.

At SVSU, the world is our classroom. When it comes to college, there are a lot of institutions who boast about academic opportunity. Our students land competitive positions or spots in prestigious grad schools. At SVSU, we defy expectations and soar far above them. Where you go from here is up to you.

True Cardinals have Red Pride. And we wear it not just on Fridays. Red Pride is calling some of the best residence halls in the country home. Being a part of any number of the 170 student led organizations. Being surrounded by people and centers to help you succeed. There is a place for you here.

Our mission is to support the economic vitality of the region by providing assistance in matching top quality interns, graduates, and alumni with organizations to meet the needs of the community. We do this by serving as a resource center for students and alumni, providing the appropriate services and information that will assist them in successfully meeting career objectives; providing students and alumni with information, strategies, and skills necessary for career development; and providing mutually beneficial links between students and employers.

The goal of Saginaw Valley State University and the Office of Diversity Programs is to have the campus community accept and embrace the many diverse cultures and backgrounds that surround all of us, not only at SVSU but throughout the community, the region, the nation, and the world. It is through this acceptance of each other's differences that knowledge truly begins.

The Office of Diversity Programs takes great pride in providing students and faculty with quality experiences through training and workshops, guest speakers, cultural celebrations and other resources to broaden their knowledge of diversity.

The University creates opportunities for individuals to achieve intellectual and personal development through academic, professional, and cultural programs. By fostering an environment of inquiry and openness that respects the diversity of all whom it serves, the University prepares graduates whose leadership and expertise contribute to the advancement of a pluralistic society. The University serves as a cultural and intellectual center dedicated to the pursuit and propagation of knowledge.