State Grants

Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) Program

The MTAG is a State-sponsored grant available to undergraduate students. Eligibility requirements include:

• The student must be a current legal resident of Mississippi for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding application for the MTAG.
• The student must be receiving less than a full Federal Pell Grant.
• The student must enroll in and complete a minimum of 15 credit hours to remain eligible.
• As an entering freshman, the student must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum ACT of 15. (EXCEPTION: Students enrolled in a program leading to a certificate are only required to meet the admission criteria for their specific program of study.)
• The student must be accepted on a full-time basis at an eligible institution.
• The student must maintain progress towards a degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• The student must not currently be in default on a federal or state loan or owe a refund on a federal or state grant.
• The student must reapply annually.
• The student must meet other criteria as set by the eligible institution.
• Must be pursuing first certificate, first associate or first bachelors degree.

Award Amount: Up to $500 annually for freshman and sophomores; Up to $1,000 annually for juniors and seniors.

Other: The student must remain continuously enrolled on an annual basis, unless granted an exception, or the amount received will have to be repaid.

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) Program
The MESG is a State-sponsored grant available to “first-time-in-college” students and renewal applicants only. Eligibility requirements include:

• The student must be a current legal resident of Mississippi for the four (4) years immediately preceding application for the MESG.
• The student must be recognized as a semifinalist or finalist by the National Merit or National Achievement Scholarship Programs and have a minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale; OR have a minimum score of 29 on the ACT or its equivalent 1280 on the SAT and have a minimum of cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• The student must be accepted on a full-time basis at an eligible institution. The student must maintain progress toward a degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• The student must enroll in and complete a minimum of 15 credit hours to remain eligible.
• The student must not currently be in default on a federal or state loan or owe a refund on a federal or state grant.
• The student must reapply annually.
• The student must meet other criteria as set by the eligible institution.

Amount of Award: Up to $2,500 annually, not to exceed the tuition and mandatory fees.

Other: The student must remain continuously enrolled on an annual basis, unless granted an exception, or the amount received will have to be repaid.

Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP) Grant
The HELP Grant is a State-sponsored grant designed to provide tuition assistance to qualified students whose financial need, as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, will not be met with gift aid from other sources. The program provides full tuition to qualified students for up to four years.

Eligibility requirements include:

• The student must be a current legal resident of Mississippi for one year prior to application.
• Have a high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• If not a graduating high school senior be within one year of high school graduation (current college freshman).
• Score a minimum of 20 on the National ACT.
• Meet income limitations.
• Demonstrate need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualifying for a maximum or partial federal Pell Grant.
• Attend an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree.
• Complete a specific high school curriculum. Learn about the HELP Curriculum here.
• The student must enroll in and complete a minimum of 15 credit hours to remain eligible.
• The student must reapply annually.
• The student must meet other criteria as set by the eligible institution.

Amount of Award: Tuition and required fees at a public institution.

Other: Max 8 semesters (12 trimesters) or bachelor’s degree completion, whichever comes first.