Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant

Scholarship Sponsored by Mississippi Legislature

Overview

This program, created by the Mississippi Legislature, provides need-aware financial assistance to Mississippi residents who attend state-approved public and private not-for-profit two‑year and four‑year institutions. Its primary goal is to expand in‑state postsecondary opportunities for students who do not already receive the maximum Federal Pell Grant. The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid administers the program and uses the most recent FAFSA transaction to determine Pell Grant eligibility. Applicants must meet residency and enrollment requirements to qualify.

Description: State-funded grant program for eligible Mississippi residents pursuing a first certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree at approved in‑state institutions.

• State-authorized program administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
• Targets students not receiving the maximum Pell Grant.
• Supports study at approved in‑state public and private not-for-profit institutions.

Eligibility — Entering Freshmen

Incoming freshmen must be legal Mississippi residents for at least one year prior to application and must graduate from high school, complete an approved home school program, or hold a high school equivalency diploma. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent documentation) and a minimum ACT score of 15; superscoring of the ACT is accepted. Freshmen must enroll full‑time in an approved Mississippi postsecondary program leading to a first certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree. The Office uses FAFSA results to confirm the applicant is eligible for less than the maximum Federal Pell Grant.

Eligibility: Residency, academic minimums (GPA and ACT), full‑time enrollment, and Pell Grant eligibility determined via FAFSA.

• One-year Mississippi residency required prior to application.
• High school GPA ≥ 2.5 or equivalent credential; ACT ≥ 15 (superscores accepted).
• Full-time enrollment in an approved in‑state program leading to a first credential.

Eligibility — Currently Enrolled Students

Students already enrolled in college must meet residency and academic progress standards to qualify. Eligible continuing students must be legal Mississippi residents for one year, maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA on at least 12 completed credit hours, and remain enrolled full‑time (12 credit hours) each semester with passing grades. They must be pursuing a first certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree at an approved Mississippi institution. As with freshmen, eligibility for less than the maximum Pell Grant is determined using the most recent FAFSA transaction.

Eligibility: One-year residency, minimum college GPA of 2.5 on 12+ credits, continuous full‑time enrollment, and Pell eligibility confirmed via FAFSA.

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA on at least 12 completed hours.
• Maintain full‑time enrollment (12 hours) and satisfactory academic progress each term.
• Must be pursuing a first credential at an approved in‑state institution.

Award Details

Awards vary by class level: up to $500 per academic year for freshmen and sophomores, and up to $1,000 per academic year for juniors and seniors. Recipients may receive the grant for a maximum of eight semesters or until degree completion, whichever occurs first. The program prohibits receiving undergraduate grant aid from more than one state-supported undergraduate grant program in the same term; if eligible for multiple programs, the award will come from the program that provides the larger amount. The eight-semester maximum applies across all state undergraduate grant programs combined.

Award Value: Up to $500/year for freshmen and sophomores; up to $1,000/year for juniors and seniors.

Maximum Length: Eligible for up to eight semesters or until degree completion, with the eight‑semester limit enforced across state grant programs.

• Tiered award amounts based on class level.
• Maximum eligibility limited to eight semesters or degree completion.
• No stacking of state undergraduate grants in the same term; largest program award applies.

Application Process and Residency Documentation

Applicants must complete the online application annually for each academic year they seek aid. New applicants and some renewals after a break in enrollment must submit two forms of residency documentation as part of the supporting materials. The Office receives FAFSA results electronically and will use FAFSA data to determine Pell eligibility; when available, FAFSA information may replace certain residency documents. Submit required documents promptly to avoid delays in award determination.

Application Timeline: Complete the online application each academic year; provide supporting documents when requested, especially after breaks in enrollment.

Residency Documentation: Preferred documents include the FAFSA and a Mississippi driver’s license; alternate documents accepted include a state tax return (not federal) with required pages, homestead exemption, voter registration, or MS Road and Bridge privilege tax receipt.

• Online application must be submitted annually for each academic year of requested aid.
• Provide two residency documents when required; FAFSA and MS driver’s license are preferred.
• State tax returns and other state-issued records are accepted as alternate proof of residency.