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Spartan Strong Fund

The Spartan Strong Fund

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A Path to Healing through the Spartan Strong Fund

In the days and weeks following the Feb. 13 tragedy, the entire Spartan community came together to support one another during a very difficult time. Through the gracious support of donors, the Spartan Strong Fund was established to put those impacted and the entire MSU community on a path to healing. Recognizing that the healing process is different for each person, $500,000 of the $2 million fund was designated to reimburse or directly pay for student, faculty, staff and first responder mental health care services.  As part of this effort, University Health and Wellbeing (UHW) was designated to assist in the distribution of these mental health care services funds.
 

It is important to note beyond this effort, MSU has provided health care and tuition reimbursement as well as access to the state compensation program for those most directly impacted.

 

Eligibility for mental health care services

 
Those enrolled as an MSU student, employed as a faculty/staff member or who responded to campus as a first responder on Feb. 13, 2023.
 

Qualifying Expenses 

 
Out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance) related to:

Out-patient counseling and mental health care services, including telehealth 
 
In-patient hospitalization with a mental health diagnosis
 
Residential mental health treatment
 
All available insurance coverage must be met before submitting for reimbursement.
 

Ineligible Expenses

 
Out-patient visits for conditions other than mental health.
 
Hospitalization for conditions other than mental health.
 

Time Requirement

 
Funds are available on a first-come first-served basis. Reimbursement, in full or in part, will be subject to funds available. Those seeking reimbursement are encouraged to submit their requests as soon as possible.
 

Reimbursement Process

 
Complete the reimbursement request form and attach required documentation (Invoice and/or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and proof of payment for mental health care service/s)

Those who were enrolled as an MSU student, employed as a faculty/staff member or who responded to campus as a first responder (including 911 dispatchers/telecommunicators) on Feb. 13, 2023.

Out-of-pocket expenses (including deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance) related to: out-patient counseling and mental health services including telehealth; and in-patient hospitalization with a mental health diagnosis; and residential mental health treatment.

 

All available insurance coverage must be met before submitting for reimbursement.

Out-patient visits for conditions other than mental health.

Hospitalization for conditions other than mental health.

Loss of wages because of not working due to mental health challenges.

The state of Michigan (MDHHS Division of Victim Services) has federal funding available to potentially offer financial assistance for loss wages and other expenses related to Feb. 13.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/publicsafety/crimevictims/assistance/mass-violence-response/michigan-state-university-response

No. The Spartan Strong Fund administered by UHW is only for mental health care services. MSU is already working with those most directly impacted to help with physical injuries. Anyone who needs assistance can email orsc@msu.edu.  

 

You may submit a reimbursement request for any qualifying mental health care services. There is not a limit on the number of unique requests for reimbursement that may be submitted. However, to improve efficiency, it’s preferable to submit different reimbursement requests together in a single submission. 
Yes. Please submit the invoice and proof of payment along with the reimbursement request form.
If payments have been received from another public fund administrator related to the Feb. 13 violence, you are ineligible for reimbursement through Spartan Strong Fund.

For each reimbursement request, you will need the following:

  • Invoice/Explanation of Benefits (EOB), which is a document that you receive when you use healthcare and details how you and your health plan share costs. It is not a bill. 

  • Proof of payment

All reimbursement requests need to have supported documentation attached. Failure to submit appropriate documents will delay consideration for reimbursement.

For claimants with insurance: You will need an electronic version (pdf, png, jpg) of invoice or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to support the request for reimbursement and proof of payment.

 For claimants without insurance: You will need an electronic version (pdf, png, jpg) of an invoice from your health care provider and proof of payment.

If funds remain available, requests for reimbursement will be accepted for up to three years from January 24, 2024.   Due to the finite amount of funds available, we encourage you to complete your reimbursement request as soon as possible.

If you don't have insurance, please submit an invoice from your provider and proof of payment along with the reimbursement form. 
Reimbursement, in full or in part, will be subject to the availability of funds.
Requests are expected to be processed within 30 days, depending on the demand for reimbursements. 
Based on the federal definition of a first responder, the term “first responder” includes a firefighter, law enforcement officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or other individual (including an employee of a legally organized and recognized volunteer organization, whether compensated or not), who, in the course of their professional duties, responded to MSU on Feb. 13, 2023. 911 dispatchers/telecommunicators are also eligible.

 

MSU University Health and Wellbeing continued to provide support for students, faculty and staff on Feb. 13 and the days, weeks and months following. Individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatry services, nursing, referral coordination and front desk operations were maintained to ensure students seeking regular UHW services could receive care.

 

The Spartan Strong Fund, which has received $2 million from more than 4,200 donors, has dedicated approximately $1 million of the overall fund to helping to support those most directly impacted by the tragedy. This includes resources to support the remainder of physically injured students’ undergraduate careers. The funds also are providing supportive and financial resources to approximately 50 physically uninjured individuals who were present in either one of the two first-floor Berkey Hall classrooms or the food court kitchen inside the MSU Union during the Feb. 13 violence. A portion of the funding also is assisting families of the deceased with needs that are unmet by state and federal crime victim compensation funds.

 

To honor the victims of the Feb. 13 tragedy, approximately $300,000 – and any remaining contributions to the fund more than $2 million – will go toward the creation and installation of a permanent memorial on MSU’s campus, planned through a meaningful, respectful and collaborative process.


The remaining $200,000 will support healing and resiliency programming through the Office for Resource and Support Coordination for students, faculty, staff and first responders.