Skip to main content
Financial Aid

Grants

Financial assistance from state and federal governments that does not need to be repaid

The following grants are available at Mississippi College:

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell grants are available to eligible students. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on a formula that uses the information provided by the student/parent on the Free Application for Federal Student aid at www.fafsa.gov to produce an Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Award amounts are prorated based on the number of hours for which a student is enrolled. Only undergraduate students who have not previously received a bachelor’s degree are eligible. More information about Pell grants is available from the Federal Guide to student aid at www.studentaid.gov. The Pell award amount can be up to $7,395 per year.

Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) – New!

A new law reduces the duration of Federal Pell Grant eligibility from 18 semesters (or its equivalent) to 12 semesters (or its equivalent). This applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students effective with the 2012-13 academic year.

The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%. The 12-semester or six-year equivalent is 600%. 

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Grants of up to $2000 per year are available to students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree who show exceptional financial need. Due to limited funds, grants at Mississippi College average $750.00 per year.To apply, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

If a student has met the Pell lifetime eligibility, they would not be eligible for SEOG funds.

Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

A grant of $500 per year is available for freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 per year for juniors and seniors who are Mississippi residents. MTAG is prorated for those students who receive a Pell Grant; therefore, students who receive the maximum Pell award will not be eligible for MTAG. One-year Mississippi residency and full-time enrollment are required. Entering freshmen must have a minimum ACT score of 15 or equivalent SAT and a 2.5 GPA. Applications are available from high-school counselors or from the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid in Jackson. All requirements must be completed by September 15 of each year. Renewal requires submission of an application each year, continued full-time status and maintenance of a 2.5 college GPA.

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)

A grant of $2,500 per year is available to Mississippi residents who are entering freshmen and are designated as National Merit/Achievement Finalists/Semifinalists OR who achieve an ACT score of 29 or better (or comparable SAT score) and a 3.5 high-school grade-point average. One-year Mississippi residency and full-time enrollment are required. Applications are available from high-school counselors or the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid in Jackson. All requirements must be completed by September 15 of each year. Renewal requires submission of an application each year, continued full-time status and maintenance of a 3.5 GPA.

Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP)

Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program is 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. The initial application must be completed by March 31st of each year and all supporting documentation must be turned in by April 30th of each year. Students must be a legal resident of the State 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, score a minimum of 20 on the National ACT, complete a specific high school curriculum, meet income limitations, demonstrate need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualifying for a full or partial federal Pell Grant,  and enroll full-time at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s degree, or first bachelor’s degree. For more information visit: https://www.msfinancialaid.org/help/

Federal TEACH Grant/Loan

The Department of Education’s TEACH Grant Program provides funds to postsecondary students who are completing or plan to complete coursework that is needed to begin a career in teaching, and who agree to serve for at least four years as a full-time, highly qualified teacher in a high-need field, in a school serving low-income students.  Eligible full-time students may receive $4000 per year in TEACH Grant funds, up to the maximum of $16,000 for undergraduate and post baccalaureate study, and $8,000 for graduate study.

If you receive a TEACH Grant but do not complete the required four years of teaching service within eight years after completing the coursework for which you receive the grant, or if you otherwise do not meet the requirements of the TEACH Grant program, all TEACH Grant funds that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan that you must repay in full, with interest, dating back to the original disbursement date, to the Department of Education.  Once a TEACH Grant is converted to a loan, it cannot be converted back to a grant.

If you are interested in the Teach Grant please contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@mc.edu.