“It’s well documented that after graduation, a lot of young Spartan grads leave the Lansing region for out-of-state markets like Chicago," said Samantha Harkins, president and CEO of Lansing 5:01 in a press release. 

The program is designed to address the lack of attainable housing by increasing the supply of workforce housing.

“Utilizing this grant opportunity from MSHDA to create a down payment assistance program gives us a direct way to recapture the attention of those potential ‘boomerang’ residents,” Harkins said.

Lansing 5:01 partnered with the MSUFCU to “expand the program's offerings.” Alumni can receive $500 off closing costs if they finance a home of $100,000 or more through MSUFCU. 

MSU graduates can qualify for the $5,000 down payment assistance on a house in Ingham, Clinton or Eaton counties if they make 120% or less of the area's median income — estimated to be around $86,280 for single-income households or $98,520 for dual-income households.

To receive the $5,000, grant recipients must become a Certified Tourism Ambassador through Choose Lansing, a training and certification initiative to improve visitor experience across Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties. Grant recipients will be educated on the region's attractions and history to better share what makes Lansing worth visiting with tourists.

The program not only aims to benefit MSU graduates, but also the Greater Lansing area economy by keeping former students local.

“Spartan Roots has the opportunity to be an extraordinarily compelling talent attraction tool for our region,” Harkins said. “Lansing has so much to offer MSU alumni who are ready to settle down, but we won’t move the needle if we’re not assertive about telling that story.”

An interest form is available on the Spartan Roots website, but official applications are set to open in January 2027. Grants are limited to 18 awards and are subject to funding availability and program eligibility requirements.