Searching for Mississippi college grants and scholarships

I'm hoping to attend college in Mississippi and need to know about grants and scholarships offered by the state. What are the key financial aid options that Mississippi offers to its college-bound students?

In order to cover your college costs in Mississippi, there are several state-based scholarships and grants you could take advantage of.

1. Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG): This grant provides financial assistance to students who attend accredited, nonprofit two-and four-year colleges and universities in Mississippi. Eligibility is based on financial need and academic efforts.

2. Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG): MESG is awarded to high-achieving students attending eligible Mississippi institutions. A high school GPA of 3.5 and an ACT score of 29 or SAT score of 1350 are the initial eligibility criteria.

3. Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students Grant (HELP): HELP is designed specifically for lower-income students who have also achieved academically. To be eligible, students must have a 2.5 high school GPA and a family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $39,500 or less.

4. Nissan Scholarship: This is a scholarship funded by the Nissan company and it's available to Mississippi residents who plan to attend a public college or university in Mississippi. Eligibility is based on academic achievement, leadership experience, and community involvement.

5. Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship: This scholarship is available to students who commit to teaching in designated critical shortage areas of the state of Mississippi.

6. Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers & Firemen Scholarship provides exemption of tuition, room and board and an allowance for required books.

Remember to apply for scholarships and grants as soon as possible. Deadlines for some of these aid sources are early in the academic year - for instance, the priority date for MTAG is September 15.

Additionally, be sure to complete your FAFSA, as eligibility for many grants and scholarships is determined based on information in the FAFSA. Mississippi's state-based financial aid system uses information from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for many programs. You'll need to fill it out as accurately as possible, and submit it as early as you can after October 1st of your senior year.

In addition to these state-based programs, there's the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), both of which are awarded based on financial need.

There are also plenty of institution-specific scholarships for students attending colleges in Mississippi. Check with the financial aid office at the schools you're applying to for information on what they offer. You can also use Appily or other scholarship search tools to find scholarships tailored to your specific circumstances and interests.

Best of luck with your search for college funding in Mississippi! It's a good idea to take the time now to apply for as many grants and scholarships as you can, to ensure you're well-prepared for your future financial needs.