Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant

Scholarship Sponsored by Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid

Description This Mississippi Excellence Scholarship Grant (MESG) provides need-aware financial assistance to high-achieving Mississippi residents who enroll at state-approved public or private not-for-profit two‑ and four‑year institutions. The program aims to keep top students in-state by offsetting tuition and required fees for first certificates, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree programs. Awards are administered annually and require ongoing eligibility compliance. - **Purpose:** Encourage Mississippi high school graduates to pursue postsecondary education in-state. - **Eligible institutions:** State‑approved public and private not‑for‑profit two‑ and four‑year colleges and universities in Mississippi. - **Target group:** High‑achieving students seeking a first certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree. History of the Award The MESG was created by the Mississippi Legislature as a state-funded grant program to expand postsecondary opportunities for academically strong Mississippi students. Since its inception, the program has focused on retaining top talent and helping students pursue degrees without leaving the state. Legislative rules also govern application requirements, renewal, and acceptable documentation. - **Origin:** Established by the Mississippi Legislature. - **Policy-driven:** Program rules and reporting requirements are set by state law. - **Objective:** State retention of academically qualified students. Eligibility — Entering Freshmen To qualify as an entering freshman, applicants must meet residency, academic, testing, and initial enrollment requirements before receiving an award. Residency must be established for at least one year prior to high school or homeschool completion. Academic minimums include a 3.5 high school cumulative GPA and standardized test benchmarks; accepted test options include ACT superscores. Finally, recipients must enroll full‑time at an approved Mississippi institution in a program that leads to a first certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree. - **Residency:** Legal Mississippi resident for at least one year prior to high school/homeschool completion. - **Academic minimum:** 3.5 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale (homeschooled applicants submit a signed 9–12 transcript). - **Testing:** Minimum ACT score of 29 (SAT 1350) or National Merit Finalist/Semi‑Finalist; ACT superscores accepted. - **Initial enrollment:** Must enroll full‑time at an approved Mississippi postsecondary institution in an eligible program. Eligibility — Currently Enrolled College Students Students already attending college may qualify if they meet the entering freshman standards and specific early college-performance conditions. Applicants must submit within three years of high school graduation and show a minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA calculated on 12 to 18 completed semester hours. Eligibility is limited to students pursuing their first certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree at an approved Mississippi institution. - **Application window:** Must apply within three years of high school graduation. - **College performance:** Minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA on at least 12 but no more than 18 completed hours. - **Program limitation:** Award applies only to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree at approved institutions. Award Value MESG provides direct grant support up to a fixed annual maximum, but awards cannot exceed actual tuition and required fees charged by the enrolled institution. The program does not guarantee the maximum amount to every recipient; individual award amounts may be adjusted based on tuition/fees and other aid rules. - **Maximum annual award:** Up to $2,500 per academic year. - **Cap:** Award cannot exceed the recipient’s tuition and required fees. - **Variability:** Final award amounts depend on institutional charges and other aid restrictions. Maximum Length of Eligibility Recipients may receive MESG for a limited period measured in semesters or until degree completion, whichever occurs first. The program’s cumulative limit across all state-supported undergraduate grants is enforced so students do not receive overlapping grant aid across multiple programs beyond the allowed term count. - **Semester limit:** Up to 8 semesters of MESG or until degree completion, whichever comes first. - **Combined aid restriction:** A student may not receive undergraduate grant aid from more than one state-supported undergraduate grant program in the same term. - **Priority rule:** If eligible for multiple state grants, the program awarding the larger sum is applied. - **Overall cap:** No student may receive undergraduate grant aid from any combination of programs for more than eight semesters. How to Apply Applicants must complete the MESG online application for each academic year in which they seek aid and submit required supporting documents. New applicants and some renewal applicants who have had a break in enrollment are required to provide residency documentation. Per state requirements, applicants must either complete the FAFSA or sign the state’s Statement of Certification as part of the annual eligibility process. - **Annual application:** Complete the online application every academic year you seek MESG funds. - **Supporting documents:** Submit required residency and eligibility documents with the application. - **FAFSA or alternative:** Complete the FAFSA or the state Statement of Certification annually, as mandated by law. - **Breaks in enrollment:** Returning students with gaps may need additional documentation. Residency Documents (Accepted) The MESG requires proof of Mississippi residency for applicants who must document residency. A Mississippi driver’s license is a preferred document and can be uploaded electronically during the online application. Accepted alternate documents include a state tax return (not federal), homestead exemption, voter registration, and the Mississippi Road and Bridge Privilege Tax registration receipt. - **Preferred document:** Mississippi driver’s license (electronic submission available during online application). - **Alternate documents:** State tax return (current filing year; dependent students submit parent’s pages 1–3, independent students submit their own), homestead exemption, voter registration, MS Road & Bridge Privilege Tax receipt. - **Note on tax return:** Use state returns only — federal returns are not accepted for residency proof. Enrollment and Renewal Requirements After receiving an award, students must maintain continuous full‑time enrollment during the fall and spring semesters of each successive academic year unless an approved exception is granted. Full‑time enrollment is defined as 12 credit hours per semester. Failure to maintain continuous full‑time enrollment, or dropping below full‑time during a semester, makes the student ineligible for MESG funds until the next semester of full‑time enrollment in a regular academic year; summer terms are not considered part of the regular academic year. Students may submit appeals for exceptions for cause through the established process. - **Full‑time standard:** 12 credit hours per semester defines full‑time enrollment. - **Continuous requirement:** Maintain continuous full‑time enrollment during fall and spring each academic year, unless an approved exception exists. - **Consequences for withdrawal/drop:** Withdrawal or dropping below full‑time renders the student ineligible for the subsequent regular‑term semester of full‑time enrollment, unless an exception is approved. - **Summer term:** Enrollment during summer is not counted as part of the regular academic year. - **Appeals:** Exceptions for cause may be requested via the program’s appeal process. Key Contacts and Next Steps To proceed, complete the MESG online application during the application window, gather the required residency documents, and ensure your FAFSA or Statement of Certification is filed for the award year. Contact the administering office or your institution’s financial aid office for application deadlines and appeals guidance. - **Start:** Complete the online MESG application each academic year. - **Document:** Prepare residency and academic documentation before submission. - **Assistance:** Consult your institution’s financial aid office or the MESG administering office for deadlines, appeal procedures, and clarification.