“Mississippi” means “big river,” and these scholarships are big too! Students who live and/or attend school in Mississippi have access to a number of scholarships to help fund their post-secondary education. Continue reading to learn more about the top Mississippi scholarships!
How to win Mississippi scholarships
Mississippi is home to beautiful rushing rivers and vast agriculture as well as generous scholarships! If you want to study in magnificent Mississippi, then keep reading and learn how to win Mississippi scholarships!
In order to win Mississippi scholarships, you will need to respond to specific scholarship essays about your passions. While responding to these essay prompts, you should be connecting back to Mississippi as a state and how it has helped you to reach your goals.
Writing resources for acing Mississippi scholarship essays
Mississippi scholarships may require you to write a 250 word essay or a 500 word essay about yourself. Be sure to review common scholarship essay prompts to ensure you have the best success in winning Mississippi scholarships. Don’t forget to review our Scholarships360 ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships!
Mississippi student debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Mississippi residents owe $16.2 billion in federal student loan debt with student borrowers owing $36,902 each on average (those numbers do not include private loans). 48.9% of these loan borrowers are under the age of 35.
When looking for ways to fund your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow you to take fewer loans. Be sure to apply for as many as you’re eligible. Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships from colleges in Mississippi as well as top Mississippi!
Merit scholarships at Mississippi colleges and universities
University of Mississippi
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who plan to attend the University of Mississippi based on academic excellence with a 23+ ACT, 1130+ SAT and a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: $1,000 up to $26,820
- Deadline: Admission to the University of Mississippi
Mississippi State University
- Eligibility: First years students who have a 3.0+ high school GPA, 20+ ACT score or a 1030+ SAT score
- Amount: $1,000 up to $5,000
- Deadline: Admission to Mississippi State University
Mississippi College
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen based on a combination of standardized test scores (ACT/SAT/CLT) and high school GPA
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Admission to Mississippi College
The University of Southern Mississippi
- Eligibility: Admitted first year students who have a 3.0+ high school GPA and a 21+ ACT or a 1060+ SAT
- Amount: $3,000 up to the full cost of tuition
- Deadline: Admission to the University of Southern Mississippi
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known Mississippi universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
University of Mississippi
- In-state tuition: $9,252
- Out-of-state tuition: $26,820
Mississippi State University
- In-state tuition: $9,815
- Out-of-state tuition: $26,580
How do you get in-state tuition?
Having in-state residency status in Mississippi can significantly reduce the cost of tuition for Mississippi colleges and universities. In order to become a Mississippi resident for tuition purposes you will need to be over the age of 21 and physically reside in the state of Mississippi for at least 12 consecutive months prior to enrolling in college or university. Additionally, you will need to show proof and intention of abandoning your former domicile and remaining in Mississippi permanently. This can be done by obtaining a Mississippi driver’s license, registering your vehicle in Mississippi, and paying taxes to the state of Mississippi.
Every Mississippi college and university may have slightly different requirements for obtaining residency for tuition purposes. Therefore, be sure to double check with your intended Mississippi institution on their requirements.
Does Mississippi offer tuition reciprocity?
Yes, Mississippi is a member of the Academic Common Market, which is a tuition reciprocity agreement among select Southern States. Double check with your intended Mississippi institution to determine if they participate!
Mississippi scholarship spotlight
Nissan Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating Mississippi high school students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who score a minimum of 20 on the ACT or 940 on the SAT. Applicants must be legal residents of Mississippi for at least a year before application and demonstrate leadership in extracurriculars
- Amount: Covers full tuition, required fees and book allowance
- Deadline: March 1
Northcentral Electric Cooperative College Scholarships
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who display academic achievement, leadership, and extracurricular involvement. Must live within Northcentral Electric’s service territory (eastern DeSoto County, western Marshall County, and small areas in Tate and Lafayette counties)
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: March 6
Methodist Foundation of Mississippi College Scholarship
- Eligibility: Mississippi residents active in a United Methodist congregation or Wesley Foundation in Mississippi. Non-seminary graduate and undergraduate students are eligible for up to four scholarship awards
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April 1
Bird Dog Foundation Annual College Essay Scholarship Contest
- Eligibility: High school seniors who are U.S. citizens and reside in Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas. Students affiliated with a bird dog club, organization, or field trial association in any of the other 47 U.S. states are also eligible
- Amount: 1st place: $2,000; 2nd place: $1,500; 3rd place: $1,000
- Deadline: April 15
Kids Chance of Mississippi Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Mississippi residents between the ages of 17 and 23 who have a parent who was killed or permanently and totally disabled in an accident that is compensable under the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Act
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: May 31
Berta Lee White Scholarship
- Eligibility: Women who are Farm Bureau members enrolled in agriculture degree programs at Mississippi universities or community colleges
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: June 1
Young Farmers & Ranchers Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Farm Bureau member students studying in an agriculture field. Must show financial need and attend any Mississippi university or community college
- Amount: $3,000
- Deadline: June 1
Mississippi Society of Certified Public Accountants Undergraduate Student Scholarship
- Eligibility: Mississippi residents who are accounting majors at 4-year Mississippi colleges/universities. Must have at least 6 hours of accounting courses above the principles/introductory level and be classified as juniors in preparation for the senior year
- Amount: $1,000 up to $3,000
- Deadline: June 1
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Ambassador Scholarship
- Eligibility: Farm Bureau members who are students attending any Mississippi university of community college that has a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: September 29
IHMVCU Cash for Class Scholarship
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors or current college students who are IHMVCU (IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union) members by the application deadline
- Amount: $1,000 up to $10,000
- Deadline: Mid-February
Additional Mississippi resources
Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi
Offers several scholarships specific to individual Mississippi high schools.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Mississippi students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions about Mississippi scholarships
completion, whichever comes first. [/s360_widget]
Are there Mississippi scholarships for certain fields of study?
Does Mississippi offer tuition-free college?
How much is the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant worth?
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