UPSKILL Mississippi Grant (Upgrading Priority Skills for Key Industry Learning and Labor)
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning)
For 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.
- How much
- Remaining tuition and required fees after other grant aid, plus a $500 annual stipend (prorated by enrollment)
- Who qualifies
- At least 24 years old; Mississippi resident for 2 years; high school diploma, GED or equivalent; enrolled or accepted at least half-time in an eligible certificate or associate program at a participating Mississippi public community college; FAFSA and MAAPP each year.
- For adults going back to school, trade school students
- U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual; MAAPP deadline September 15, supporting documents (including FAFSA) due October 15 (2026-27 pilot year)
- How to apply
- Complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP) by September 15 and the FAFSA, then submit residency and any other requested documents by October 15
- Reapply every year
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (msfinancialaid.org), page 2 and page 3
The details
Created by the 2026 Legislature; 2026-27 is the initial pilot year. Pays the balance of tuition and required fees after all other grant aid, plus a $500 annual stipend for books and materials (prorated for part-time enrollment), at participating Mississippi public community colleges in certificate or associate programs on Accelerate Mississippi's yearly list of priority sectors and occupations. For the 2026-27 pilot all Mississippi public community colleges are treated as participating. Students can keep the grant through completion of one certificate or one associate degree, even if their program later drops off the list, as long as they stay enrolled at least half-time and make satisfactory academic progress. Colleges commit to an advisor/success coach, enrollment in Mississippi Works, career integration and help finding other funding. A student receiving UPSKILL cannot receive another Mississippi state aid award in the same year. Not the same as federal Workforce Pell.
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
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.