Scholarships are a mystery to most students, but for those in Mississippi especially, the state offers many ways to get help paying for college. If you’re smart, a high-achieving student, a community service all-star, or have exceptional talent, there’s likely a scholarship with your name on it. We break down some of the top scholarships in Mississippi targeted to students who are Mississippi residents, offering money to ease the burden of paying for college.
1. Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant is available to high school seniors in Mississippi if the student has achieved high academics. To qualify for a Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, the applicant must be a resident of Mississippi, have a grade point average of 3.5 or better, and an ACT score of 29 or better. The grant provides up to $2,500.00 per year to support an ambitious young academic moving on to college. If the student maintains these academic credentials yearly, the funding can be renewed for up to eight semesters. It makes the MESG a dependable source of financing throughout a student’s undergraduate academic career.
2. Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
The MTAG is awarded to a broader group of students than the MESG by granting money to those who fail to pass the stringent MESG requirements but show promise in their academic work. The MTAG is accessible to Mississippi residents with a 2.5 or higher GPA and an ACT score of 15. The award is $1,000 for the first and second years and $500 for juniors and seniors. The tiered funding plan is used, as the early stages of college enrolment are more crushing financially. MTAG can be a saving grace for students who cannot qualify for the MESG by assisting with tuition and lessening the financial stress of college.
3. Nissan Scholarship
The Nissan Scholarship, a joint effort of the Nissan Corporation and the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, is a comprehensive full scholarship available to selected high school seniors from Mississippi. Here are the details:
- Full Tuition Coverage: It covers the complete cost of tuition at accredited institutions.
- Books and Supplies: Recipients also receive funds to cover essential academic materials.
- Stipend: A stipend is provided to assist with other educational expenses.
- Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must exhibit academic excellence, community service commitment, and financial need.
The scholarship relieves financial stress and allows one to be utterly devoted to studies and service rather than worrying about financing school.
4. Horatio Alger Mississippi Scholarship
The Horatio Alger Mississippi Scholarship is for high school seniors who have succeeded despite adversity. Applicants must demonstrate a dedication to pursuing a bachelor’s degree, financial need, participation in extracurricular and community activities, and a GPA of at least 2.0. Each scholarship award is valued at up to $10,000. The award is distributed each year over the student’s undergraduate academic career.
5. Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers & Firemen Scholarship
This scholarship is for dependents of law enforcement officers, firefighters, or volunteer firefighters who have been killed or become totally and permanently disabled due to injuries sustained in the line of duty. This scholarship by the State of Mississippi Office of Financial Aid pays for tuition, room, board, and books at any college or university that state funds support.
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6. GET2College State Financial Aid Counseling
It isn’t a scholarship, but GET2College provides helpful resources for Mississippi students seeking free money for college: free counseling on ways to research and apply for scholarships, helps with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and help to find further grants and other kinds of aid that can open the doors to college.
7. Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship
The Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship accepts women from the South, particularly those from Mississippi, interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry. Applicants must be enrolled in a STEM degree related to automotive technology, prove they are academically successful and need financial aid, and win awards of $500 to $5,000. Multiple awards are given annually.
Lightening the Load with Scholarships
These scholarships provide a foundation for college for Mississippi students without the associated sticker shock. Tap into them, and you can take some of the pressure of college dollars and put it more into college life and scholarship. Whether you seek state funding through scholarship and grant programs, private foundations, or career-specific awards, the potential exists for you to graduate with less debt and more experience. Applying for scholarships is like a job, the best one you will have in high school.
