Financial Aid Programs

Federal Programs:

• Federal Pell Grants are awarded to first-time undergraduates with financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Award amounts vary from $400 to $4,000.  Applications are available in the Career Center or you may apply online.

• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is awarded to Pell Grant recipients with exceptional need.  Award amounts are based on need and available funds.  The priority deadline is June 1.

• Federal Work-Study grants are awarded to students with financial need.  Students are required to work 15-20 hours per week on campus.  Award amounts vary based on financial need, enrollment status, and available funds.  The priority deadline is June 1.

• Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) is awarded to Pell Grant recipients with exceptional need who are Mississippi residents and enrolled full time.  Award amounts vary based on need and available funds.  The deadline is established by the individual school.

• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) Pell Grant eligible students who completed a rigorous high school curriculum and plan to pursue college majors that are in high demand in the global economy, such as science, math, technology, engineering and critical foreign languages may apply.  Freshman award is $750. Second academic year students up to $1,300.

• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants - For undergraduates receiving Pell Grants, who are U.S. students enrolled full time in their third or fourth academic year of an eligible degree program majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, engineering technology, mathematics or a critical need foreign language and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.  Up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years.

• Additional Federal Programs:
  Federal Perkins Loans
  Federal Stafford Loans
  PLUS Loans

        Complete the FAFSA between January 1, 2007  and June 30, 2008 (there are no exceptions to either date.)    All of the above programs require the FAFSA.  Remember that federal monies are on a "first come, first served" basis.  Apply as early as you can.

State Programs:

• Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) is awarded to Mississippi residents with a minimum 15 ACT score and at least a 2.5 GPA.  Recipients must attend a state approved public or private 2-year or 4-year college or university.  Freshmen and Sophomores may receive up to $500 per year, while Juniors and Seniors may receive up to $1000 per year.  Funds are limited and may be subject to prorating.  Application deadline is September 15.   You must apply online.

• Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant offers up to $2,500 to Mississippi residents attending state-approved public or private 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities.  Students must have at least a 3.5 GPA and a minimum ACT score of 29.  Funds are limited and are subject to prorating.  Application deadline is September 15.

• Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP)  Provides full tuition to all qualified, college-bound state residents who apply and enroll full-time at any eligible Mississippi public university or community college to pursue a first baccalaureate or first associate undergraduate degree.  Student must have completed the Core Curriculum, have a GPA of 2.5, have a minimum of 20 on the ACT, and document a gross family income of $36,500 or less for the past two years.  Funding is limited, and the deadline is March 31.

• Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship Program is awarded to Mississippi residents who are the spouse or child of a fatally injured or totally disabled Law Officer or Fireman.  This program is for full time students and provides full tuition, required fees and average cost of campus housing, not to exceed eight semesters.  This is an open program with no deadline.

• William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan Program  Offers residents enrolled in an undergraduate teacher education program leading to a Class "A" teaching certificate up to $8,000.  Students must be enrolled in an accredited public or private university or college in Mississippi.  Freshman applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and an ACT score of 21 or higher.  Students must sign a contract stating that they agree to teach in Mississippi for one year for each year the award is received.  Funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.  Application deadline is March 31.

• Critical Needs Teacher Loan/Scholarship  Offers tuition, room and board, books, and required fees at the college or university in which the students is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the highest total cost of tuition, room and meals, books and required fees assessed by a state institution of higher learning during that school year.  Student must be enrolled in a program of study leading to a Class A standard teacher educator license.  Student must have a 2.5 high school grade point average and a composite score of 18 on the ACT.  Student must sign a contract agreeing to teach in a critical shortage area of Mississippi as defined at the time of their graduation.  Critical shortage areas are determined by the State Department of Education.  Funds are limited and an awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.  Deadline is March 31.

• Additional Undergraduate Programs:
  Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Minority Summer Grant
  Health Care Professions Loan/Scholarship
  Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers & Firemen Scholarship
  Mississippi Psychology Apprenticeship
  Nursing Education Loan/Scholarship

For additional information and downloading of application forms on any state program, the website for the Institutions of Higher Learning is www.ihl.state.ms.us .  There is also a toll-free number:  800-327-2980.

The website for federal programs is www.studentaid.ed.gov and the toll-free number is 800-433-3243.  If you wish to apply for federal aid online, the website is www.fafsa.ed.gov .