Mississippi scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Mississippi runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (3) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
Up to $2,500 per year (not more than tuition and required fees)Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
Open now · due September 15, 2027Up to $2,500 a year (not more than tuition and fees) for Mississippi high achievers with a 3.5 GPA and ACT 29 / SAT 1330 or National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist status.
- What it takes: state application + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3.5+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
Up to $500 per year (freshmen and sophomores); up to $1,000 per year (juniors and seniors)Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
Open now · due September 15, 2027Up to $500 a year for freshmen and sophomores and up to $1,000 a year for juniors and seniors at Mississippi colleges, for residents who don't get the maximum Pell Grant.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, transfer students
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP)
Full tuition and required fees at a Mississippi public institution (private institutions: the average public four-year tuition and fees)Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
Open now · due March 31, 2027Mississippi's need-based grant that pays full tuition and required fees at a Mississippi public college (or the public average at a private one) for students with a 2.5 GPA, ACT 20, and family income under the limit.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Nissan Scholarship (NISS)
Full tuition, required fees, and a book allowanceMississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (funded by Nissan North America, Inc.)
Open now · due March 1, 2027Full tuition, required fees and a book allowance at a Mississippi public college for one or two graduating seniors a year who plan careers in Mississippi's automotive industry.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + essay + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors
- Needs a 2.5+ GPA
- For automotive industry-related fields students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Dr. G. Norris Howell Rural Dentists Scholarship Program (formerly Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, MRDSP)
Up to $35,000 per year in dental schoolUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center (state program authorized by the Mississippi Legislature)
Due February 1, 2027Service scholarshipThe catch: After dental school, practice in a small rural Mississippi town one year per year funded, or repay it all plus penalties.
Up to $35,000 a year in dental school at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry for Mississippians who commit to general or pediatric dentistry in a small rural Mississippi town.
- What it takes: essay + transcript + recommendation + test scores + interview
- For undergrads, grad students
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- For pre-dentistry, dentistry (general or pediatric) students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program (MRPSP)
Up to $35,000 per year in medical schoolUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center (state program authorized by the Mississippi Legislature)
Due February 1, 2027Service scholarshipThe catch: After residency, practice primary care in a small rural Mississippi town one year per year funded, or repay it all plus penalties.
Up to $35,000 a year in medical or osteopathic school for Mississippians who commit to practicing primary care in a small rural Mississippi town, plus mentoring from the sophomore year of college.
- What it takes: essay + transcript + recommendation + test scores + interview
- For undergrads, grad students
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- For pre-medicine, medicine (primary care) students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR)
Tuition and expenses (amount set by each participating university program)Mississippi Department of Education
Check datesService scholarshipThe catch: Teach in a Mississippi critical shortage area; the length and repayment terms are set by each university.
State-funded grants through nine Mississippi universities that cover tuition and expenses for people earning an elementary or special education teaching license, with a commitment to teach in a critical shortage area.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- For elementary education, special education students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
UPSKILL Mississippi Grant (Upgrading Priority Skills for Key Industry Learning and Labor)
Remaining tuition and required fees after other grant aid, plus a $500 annual stipend (prorated by enrollment)Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
Opens laterFor Mississippi adults 24+: the rest of community college tuition and fees after other grants, plus a $500 yearly stipend, in eligible certificate and associate programs for priority jobs.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For adults going back to school, trade school students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Usual timing: Annual; MAAPP deadline September 15, supporting documents (including FAFSA) due October 15 (2026-27 pilot year)
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Scholarship (LAW)
Tuition, required fees, and the average cost of campus housing at a Mississippi public college or universityMississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
Open now · due September 15, 2027Free tuition, required fees and average campus housing at any Mississippi public college for children and spouses of Mississippi law enforcement officers or firefighters killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Child (under 23) or spouse of a Mississippi law enforcement officer or full-time/volunteer firefighter killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
State Representative Bill Kinkade Fostering Access and Inspiring True Hope (FAITH) Scholarship
Up to the full cost of attendance, minus all other grant aidMississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
Open now · due September 15, 2027Covers up to the full cost of attendance (minus other grants) at a Mississippi college for current and former foster youth under 25.
- Who it's for: Current or former foster youth (Mississippi CPS custody, qualifying residential home, or adoption, at any time since age 13)
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Educational Assistance for Children of POWs/MIAs
Eight semesters without cost at a Mississippi public college or university (excludes books, food, supplies, materials, and extracurricular dues/fees)Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board
Check datesEight semesters tuition-free at any Mississippi public college or university for children of Mississippi service members officially listed as prisoners of war or missing in action.
- Who it's for: Child of a U.S. armed services member officially reported as a prisoner of war or missing in action
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Mississippi National Guard State Educational Assistance Program (SEAP)
Up to $10,000 per state fiscal year at Mississippi colleges/universities and vocational programs; up to $5,000 at community/junior collegesMississippi National Guard (Mississippi Military Department)
Opens laterUp to $10,000 a year toward tuition at Mississippi colleges and universities (up to $5,000 at community colleges) for Mississippi National Guard members.
- Who it's for: Mississippi National Guard member
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
- Usual timing: Each semester: Fall deadline September 1 (window opens July 1); Spring deadline February 1 (window opens December 1); Summer as funds allow
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.