Registration and Related Policies

Registration Information

Ways to Register

• By phone at (517) 355-7661
• In-person at the CMS office: 4930 S. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 (across from the Shaw Lane entrance to MSU’s campus)
• Online for select classes and ensembles (excludes private lessons, Suzuki lessons, individual and group music therapy, and those receiving financial assistance)

Payments, Fees, and Refunds

Tuition Payment Plans
Plan 1: One payment, fully paid at the time of registration.
Plan 2: Two payments, tuition paid at the beginning of each semester.
Plan 3: Monthly payments, the first due at the time of registration with remaining payments due on the first of each month September to May. Spring registrants pay one-fourth tuition at registration with remaining payments due on the first of March, April, and May.

Tuition Payment Methods
Statements are mailed on the 15th of the month and payments are due on the 1st of the following month.

• Call CMS at (517) 355-7661 to make a credit card payment over the phone.
• Mail checks (made out to ‘Michigan State University’) to MSU Community Music School, 4930 S. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823.
• In-person visitors to the CMS office can make payments by cash, check, or credit card.
• Online credit card payments can be made by visiting the tuition payment page.
• Please note: Use this payment method only in response to a bill you received related to a current or past registration. Do not pay by this method when registering for a new semester of private lessons, group classes/ensembles or music therapy.
  
  Note: CMS does not keep credit card numbers on file and is unable to charge credit cards automatically.

Fees

• Registration: $15 non-refundable registration fee per family, per semester is applied to all registrations with single-semester tuition of $100 or more. It does not apply to summer programming.
• Processing: $10 processing fee is added to accounts using the monthly payment option.
• Late: $25 late fee is assessed on all past-due accounts. Accounts overdue 90 days or more may be sent to collections.

Refund Policy
Withdrawal from private lessons/sessions before each semester deadline will result in a refund or credit of nine lessons/sessions. Refunds and credits for group classes or ensembles are not awarded after the first class/ensemble meeting.

• Fall Refund Deadline: October 25, 2025
• Spring Refund Deadline: March 14, 2026

Students/clients withdrawing from lessons are required to pay for the first half of the semester. If students/clients withdraw during the first half of a semester before October 25 (fall semester) or March 14 (spring semester) they are not required to pay for the second half of the semester. Students/clients who stop attending lessons during the second 1 half of the semester are still obligated to pay for the entire semester. Students/clients may not obtain a credit or refund if withdrawing from group classes, group therapy sessions or ensembles once the semester begins.

MSU Employee/Student/Retiree Discount
All current MSU employees, students, and retirees receive a 5% discount on all CMS programming. It is applied when registrants provide a current MSU email address at the time of registration.

Financial Assistance

Visit the Financial Assistance page. If there are still questions after reviewing the page, call the CMS office at (517) 355-7661.

Media Release and Adherence to Policies and Procedures

Visit the University Policies page to learn about media releases and other important topics you are agreeing to when registering at CMS.

To Register Online

• Review all Resource sections on this website or download or print the Community Handbook.
• By clicking the “I Agree” button below, registrants understand that:
  • Registering online requires finding the class, clicking Add to Basket, and completing the payment process.
  • Registrations are processed in the order in which they are received; classes may fill before a registration is processed, in which case the registrant’s credit card charge will be voided and the registrant will be notified.
  • CMS is considered an MSU on-campus building and such has a parking lot that requires payment unless the vehicle has a valid MSU employee or handicapper permit. Please see details in the Facilities and Safety section.
  • MSU faculty, staff, and students may select “MSU Employee/Student Price” near the bottom of the registration page to receive a 5% tuition discount.
  • Everyone in the CMS community agrees to adhere to health and safety protocols, including regular hand sanitizing, that may change depending on specific situations.
  • Click on “I Agree” below to be directed to the online registration page.

By submitting your payment and registration form, you are agreeing to abide by the policies and health and safety protocols of the MSU Community Music School. CMS reserves the right to change any curricular offering, policy, procedure, or fee.

The MSU Community Music Schools strive for excellence in the delivery of programs and activities. By working together with our faculty, students, clients, families, and the community, successful music experiences and personal growth can be achieved. Community Handbooks are available to help facilitate clear communication and support positive music learning. Tap the handbook button to open a printable pdf version of all the resources found on this website. Tap “Important Dates” below for a quick glance at start, end, and closure dates related to each semester.