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MSU-Meridian Campus State Financial Aid Fact Sheet
State Grant Progams
All information subject to change.
The Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP)
Provides full tuition to all qualified, college-bound Mississippi residents who apply and enroll full-time at any state public and nonprofit two-year or four-year eligible college or university to pursue a first baccalaureate or first associate undergraduate degree. Eligible applicants must have a 2.5 high school grade point average, a composite score of 20 on the ACT*, and must be able to document residency in Mississippi for two years prior to applying. Additionally, the applicant's family must document that the two year average annual adjusted gross income is less that $30,000. Other requirements are listed on the HELP application and must also be met. Eligible applicants must have received notification of federal student aid eligibility prior to the HELP application deadline. Funding is limited and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, HELP recipients may be eligible for MTAG, but may not receive both HELP and MESG awards. Contact State Financial Aid Office.
The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
Offers up to $2500 to Mississippi residents who are first-time Freshman attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year or four-year eligible colleges and universities. Students must have a 3.5 high school grade point average and a 29 ACT* score as well as meet other eligibility requirements as listed on the MESG application. The amount of the 1999-2000 MESG award will be determined by the level of funding available, not to exceed the cost of tuition or $2500 annually. Some schools may require the completion of additional forms for the awarding of MESG. Application deadline is September 15.
The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
Offers financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year or four-year eligible college and universities. Entering freshman must have a 2.5 high school grade point average and a 15 ACT* score as well as meet other eligibility requirements as listed on the MTAG application. Currently enrolled students must have a 2.5 grade point average as well as meet other eligibility requirements as listed on the MTAG application. The amount of the 1999-2000 MTAG award will be determined by the level of funding available, not to exceed on annual award of $500 for Freshman and Sophomores or $1000 for Juniors and Seniors. Some schools require the completion of additional forms for the awarding of MTAG. Application deadline is September 15.
State/Federal Program
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) formerly (SSIG)
An applicant for the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) formerly (SSIG) must be a Mississippi resident, enrolled full-time, demonstrate financial need, and meet other requirement for participation in federal student aid programs. Funding is limited and application deadlines are established by the financial aid offices of participating schools. Contact participating schools for further information.
Teacher Education Programs
The Critical Needs Teacher Loan/Scholarship Program (CNTP)
Provides tuition, room and meals, books and required fees at the co7llege or university in which the student is enrolled, not to exceed an amount equal to the total cost of tuition, room and meals, books and required fees assessed by a state approved public two-year or four-year institution of higher learning during that school year. An eligible student must be enrolled full-time or part-time (six hours) in a program of student leading to a Class "A" standard teacher educator license. Freshman applicants must have a 2.5 high school grade point average and a composite score of 18 on the ACT*. All recipients must maintain a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 each academic year and earn a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year. Students must sign a contract agreeing to teach one year for each year the award is received in an accredited public school or public school district in a critical teacher geographic shortage area of Mississippi as defined at the time of his/her graduation. Recipients receiving four annual awards who render service in an accredited public school or public school district in a critical teacher geographic shortage area in Mississippi need only teach three years. Program participation is limited to four years. Funds are limited and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. Recipients of the CNTP loan are not eligible for funds from other state aid programs. In the event the recipients fails to remain enrolled in a teacher education program of student or fails to fulfill the service obligation, repayment of principal and interest is required. For the application deadline, contact the State Financial Aid Office.
The William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan Program (WWTS)
Offers Mississippi residents who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate teacher education program leading to a Class "A" standard teacher educator license up to $1000 per academic year as Freshman and Sophomores while Juniors and Seniors may receive up to $3000 per academic year. Students must be attending an accredited state public or nonprofit two-year or four-year university or college in Mississippi. Freshmen applicants must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum ACT* score of 21. All recipients must maintain a cumulative college grade point average of 2.5 each academic year and earn a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year. Students must sign a contract stating that they agree to teach in an accredited public school or public school district in Mississippi one year for each year the award is received. Recipients receiving four annual awards who render service in an accredited public school or public school district in a critical teacher geographic shortage area in Mississippi need only teach three years. Program participation is limited to four years or $8,000. Funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event the recipient fails to fulfill the service obligation, repayment of principal and interest is required. For the application deadline, contact the State Financial Aid Office.
The Graduate Teacher Summer/Loan Scholarship (GTS)
Offers assistance to Mississippi residents who have been accepted into a program of study that leads to a first Master's Degree and a Class "AA" standard teacher educator license. The applicant must attend an accredited Mississippi public or private institution of higher learning and must be under contract as a full-time classroom teacher (K through twelfth grade) in an accredited Mississippi public school. Program recipients will be reimbursed $225 per earned graduate credit hour after the close of the last summer session. Program recipients shall agree to continued employment as a full-time licensed teacher in an accredited Mississippi public school for one academic year immediately following the summer in for which funds were received. Recipients who are not serving as full-time teachers in the school year immediately following the summer in which the loan/scholarship is received must repay the full amount of the loan within 30 days of notification by the Board. For the application deadline, contact the State Financial Aid Office.
AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps *VISTA
are national service programs that provide thousands of Americans of all ages and backgrounds with educational awards in exchange for a year or two of community service. AmeriCorps members help meet the nation's critical needs in the areas of public safety, education, human needs, and the environment. After completing a year of service (at least 1,700 hours), participants will receive an educational award of $4,725. This award can be used to help pay off student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training. Members must be 18 years old-there is no upper limit. AmeriCorps placements include national, state, and local nonprofit organizations all across the nation. Beyond these benefits, participants will learn new skills, take on new responsibilities, and know the satisfaction of building a community and helping our nation be everything it ought to be. Those individuals interested in joining AmeriCorps should call the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service at 601-982-6779 or 1-800-353-1793 or visit the Website: www.mcvs.org
*ACT scores resulting from National Testing are the only accepted scores for program eligibility. Residual test scores are not acceptable.
All printed information taken from The Source Book of State Financial Aid Programs and is subject to change without notice. For more information contact:
The Mississippi Office of State Student Financial Aid
3825 Ridgewood Road
Jackson, MS 39211-6453
601-432-6997 or 1-800-327-2980; fax: 601-432-6527
E-mail: sfa@ihl.state.ms.us
Web Address: http://www.ihl.state.ms.us
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