Dr. G. Norris Howell Rural Dentists Scholarship Program (formerly Mississippi Rural Dentists Scholarship Program, MRDSP)
University of Mississippi Medical Center (state program authorized by the Mississippi Legislature)
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.
- How much
- Up to $35,000 per year in dental school
- Who qualifies
- Mississippi legal resident. Phase I: completed the sophomore year with 8 credits each of biology and general chemistry, 8 of physics or organic chemistry (with labs) and 6 credits of college math; overall GPA 3.0 on 60+ credits; science/math GPA 3.0 on 30 credits; ACT 21 or SAT 990; plan to practice general or pediatric dentistry; evidence of likely rural practice. Phase II: admitted to or attending the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Service commitment: rural Mississippi town of 10,000 or fewer, one year per year funded, or repay with penalties.
- For undergrads, grad students
- For pre-dentistry, dentistry (general or pediatric) students
- When to apply
- Due February 1, 2027 Annual; undergraduate (Phase I) application due February 1, interviews in March; dental school scholarship (Phase II) application due April 1
- How to apply
- Undergraduates: submit the online MRDSP undergraduate application with official transcripts, an essay, three science faculty evaluations, ACT/SAT (and DAT if taken) scores, and a letter from a hometown dental provider or community leader by February 1
- Interviews are in March
- Dental students and admitted seniors who took part in the pre-matriculation phase: complete the online scholarship application by April 1
- What you'll need
- essay + transcript + recommendation + test scores + interview
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (umc.edu), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Authorized by the Legislature in 2013 and renamed in 2025. Phase I (undergraduate): college sophomores and up apply for enrichment, mentoring and shadowing. Phase II (dental school): students who took part in the pre-matriculation phase and are admitted to or attending the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry are considered for scholarships valued up to $35,000 per year, based on available funding. Service: after dental school, practice in a community of 10,000 or fewer more than 20 miles from a medically served area, one year for each year of funding, starting within 90 days of finishing training. Breaching the agreement means repaying all scholarship funds plus default penalties.
More money from Mississippi
- Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)Up to $2,500 per year (not more than tuition and required fees)
- Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)Up to $500 per year (freshmen and sophomores); up to $1,000 per year (juniors and seniors)
- 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)
- Nissan Scholarship (NISS)Full tuition, required fees, and a book allowance
- 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)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.