Leland Speed Scholarship: Making Education Accessible at Mississippi College
The Leland Speed Scholarship at Mississippi College (MC) offers Mississippi high school graduates and transfer students the opportunity to attend the university tuition-free as undergraduates. This initiative, established by Leland Speed and his family, aims to provide access to education at an institution committed to the holistic development of students - intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.
Overview of the Leland Speed Scholarship
The Speed Scholarship ensures that eligible in-state students who enroll at MC starting in the fall of 2023 will have their tuition fully covered after the application of all federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. This groundbreaking program positions Mississippi College as the first higher education institution in the state to offer full tuition scholarships to qualified Mississippi students.
The scholarship reflects Leland Speed's commitment to giving back to his community and state. Speed's family has ties to MC dating back to 1935, and he served on the MC Board of Trustees for over four decades. The Leland Speed Library on campus is named after his father.
Impact on Enrollment and Campus Life
The Leland Speed Scholarship is significantly impacting Mississippi College, particularly in student recruitment. There has been a notable increase in campus visits, with 618 potential students visiting by February this year, nearly double the 363 visitors from the previous year. Campus officials consider a campus visit as the biggest predictor of a student's decision to attend MC. The second most important factor is whether they have filed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). About 70% of students who visit campus and file their FAFSA end up attending MC.
The scholarship is also expected to boost overall enrollment. The estimated total number of students for Fall 2023, including undergraduate, graduate, and law students, is 4,200. While this is a significant increase, it is still below the 2015 peak of 5,200 students. The influx of students is expected to slightly increase the average first-class size, but measures are being taken to maintain the small class sizes and personalized attention that Mississippi College is known for.
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The increase in students will enhance campus life, with more students participating in resident assistant programs, sports, and classes, creating a fuller campus experience.
To accommodate the growing student population, Mississippi College is renovating two residence halls that have been offline for the past few years. These renovations will provide additional beds for students. The university is also assessing campus dining facilities and student life events to ensure they can accommodate the increased demand.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Leland Speed Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Mississippi.
- Be admitted to MC by December 1, 2022.
- Pay the housing application fee of $200 by January 23, 2023.
- Live on campus in an MC residence hall.
- Fill out the federal and state aid applications.
Students who receive the scholarship will only need to pay for room and board, along with minor additional fees.
Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Quality
One concern raised about the full tuition scholarship is whether it will lead to a decrease in the quality of students. Mississippi College aims to ensure that the quality of education remains high by maintaining small class sizes and strong relationships between faculty and students. The university is also committed to providing resources and support to students to help them succeed academically.
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While there has not yet been an influx of faculty and staff hiring, the university is monitoring retention rates and melt percentages to determine the need for additional personnel. There is a willingness to allocate resources to offices that require assistance in handling the increased student population, but final decisions will be made after the census numbers are finalized.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Mississippi College recognizes that not all students will qualify for the Speed Scholarship. Therefore, the university offers academic scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students based on their academic achievements.
Incoming freshmen are awarded academic scholarships based on a combination of their standardized test scores (ACT/SAT/CLT) and their high school GPA. There is no deadline for academic scholarships, and awards can increase based on improved test scores up until the time of enrollment.
Transfer scholarships are determined by the student's GPA. Students are eligible for transfer scholarships if they transfer in with 12 or more hours from an accredited institution and have spent more than one full-time semester at a college or university in between high school graduation and their college entry term.
Mississippi College also offers stackable scholarships, such as the Beacon of Excellence scholarship, which can provide additional financial assistance to students.
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The Future of the Speed Scholarship
As of now, there is no end date for the Speed Scholarship. The scholarship is limited to new undergraduate students, including freshmen and transfers. The goal of the scholarship is to provide access to a premier Christian higher education to students who may not otherwise be able to afford it.
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