Mississippi Scholarships and                           Grants

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid should be priority number one for all students looking for financial aid for college. The FAFSA is used by all state and Federal financial aid programs to determine eligibility and award values. It is also used to determine a student’s eligibility for the majority of privately funded scholarships and grants. Before applying for any financial aid for college, students should make it a priority to fill out and submit the FAFSA.

• The Mississippi Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP), provides financial assistance to college-bound students who can demonstrate the required level of financial need. Eligible students must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.50, and must be accepted and/or enrolled full-time at a state college or university. Award amounts are determined by financial need, and the total  costs of tuition.

• The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) offers financial assistance to resident students who are enrolled full-time at an approved public college or university within the state. Applicants must have a high school GPA of 3.50 or better to qualify, and must have a minimum ACT score of 29. The maximum annual award amount is $2500

• The Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant is designed to provide financial aid to Mississippi residents attending an approved two-year or four-year college or university. Eligible students must be have a minimum 2.50 cumulative college GPA. Annual award amounts are $500 per year for freshman and sophomores, and $1000 per year for juniors and seniors.

• The Nissan Scholarship is a full tuition award designed to assist high performing students with extreme financial need. Applicants must be residents of Mississippi, must have a minimum score of 20 on the ACT, and must demonstrate leadership capabilities through extracurricular activities. Students must also submit a 200 word essay on the role of the automobile industry in Mississippi. The number of annual scholarships is contingent upon the availability of funds.

• The Nursing Education Loan/Scholarship is designed to address the critical shortage of licensed nurses within the state of Mississippi. The program provides up to $4000 per year in funding to students who are enrolled in an approved nursing program at a state college or university. This is an award-for-service program, and students must agree to a service obligation working as a nurse in a designated critical need facility following graduation and licensing. Recipients who fail to meet their service obligations will have their scholarship revert to a standard student loan, and will be responsible for full repayment plus interest.