Mississippi State University Scholarships for Out-of-State Students

For many students, financing a college education requires exploring scholarship opportunities. Mississippi State University (MSU) offers a variety of scholarships to attract talented students from across the country, including those from out of state. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarships available to out-of-state students at MSU, covering academic, transfer, and other specific awards.

Accessing the Scholarship System

Mississippi State University utilizes an Online Scholarship System for managing applications. To access the system and the General Scholarship Application, prospective students need to log in using their NetID and NetPassword via the "Sign In" button. The scholarship applications for the 2026-27 academic year will open on October 1, 2025, with a priority submission date of December 1 for entering freshmen.

Within the system, the "All" menu under "Opportunities" allows students to browse additional scholarship opportunities. Automatch scholarships, indicated by "None" under the "Action" column, do not require an additional application for consideration. New scholarship opportunities may become available after the General Scholarship Application has been completed, and the "Deadline" column indicates the application deadline.

Academic Scholarships for Freshmen

MSU offers several academic scholarships specifically for out-of-state freshmen, automatically awarded upon admission based on academic merit.

Non-Resident Academic Scholarship Package

This scholarship is automatically awarded to non-resident students upon admission to MSU. The award amount is determined by a combination of the student's 9th-11th grade high school GPA and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT). MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. It is important to note that students must be assessed non-resident tuition to be eligible for this scholarship.

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship for Freshmen

This scholarship is awarded to non-resident students who are children of MSU alumni, provided their alumni status has been verified. To receive this scholarship, students must be assessed non-resident tuition. This scholarship can be combined with the Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, potentially offering significant tuition assistance.

National Merit Scholarships

MSU recognizes academic excellence through National Merit Scholarship programs:

National Merit Finalist Scholarship Package: Awarded to entering freshmen who have been named a National Merit Finalist. The amount is subject to change based on the double-occupancy rate of the student's on-campus housing assignment. This scholarship may be awarded for up to four years (eight semesters), provided the student maintains continuous residency in on-campus housing. National Merit Finalists who are members of the Shackouls Honors College may also be eligible for a $2,000 Stewart Bridgforth Honors Scholarship, which can be used for study abroad, internships, or faculty-sponsored undergraduate research support after successful completion of the student's first year at MSU.
National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship Package: Awarded to entering freshmen who have been named a National Merit Semi-Finalist. Similar to Finalists, Semi-Finalists who are members of the Shackouls Honors College may be eligible for the $2,000 Stewart Bridgforth Honors Scholarship.

Transfer Scholarships for Out-of-State Students

Out-of-state transfer students also have access to dedicated scholarship opportunities at MSU.

Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship

This scholarship is specifically for entering transfer students who are assessed non-resident tuition. The scholarship can be awarded for up to 5 semesters.

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship for Transfers

Similar to the freshman version, this scholarship is awarded to non-resident transfer students whose parent is an MSU alumnus/alumna, provided their alumni status has been verified. Students must be assessed non-resident tuition to be eligible. This scholarship can be combined with the Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship.

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Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship is awarded to entering transfer students who are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. It is awarded for up to 5 semesters.

Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team Scholarship

Awarded to entering community college transfer students who meet the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship criteria and have been named to a Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team.

Phi Theta Kappa All-Academic Team Scholarship

Awarded to entering community college transfer students who meet the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship criteria and have been named to the a Phi Theta Kappa All-Academic Team for a state other than Mississippi.

Presidential Partnership Scholarship

This is a competitive scholarship award for entering transfer students. To be reviewed for this scholarship, the student must be nominated by their Mississippi community/junior college president. The amount of this award will be capped at the regular 12-16 hour tuition rate.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to academic and transfer scholarships, MSU offers a variety of other scholarships based on specific criteria, affiliations, or achievements.

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Program-Specific Scholarships

Army ROTC Scholarship: Awarded by the MSU Army ROTC Department.
Air Force ROTC Scholarship: Awarded by the MSU Air Force ROTC Department.
Luckyday Scholars Program: Awarded by the Luckday Scholars Program to a select number of students. Recipients of this award will participate in the immersive Luckyday Scholars Program.
MSU Promise Student Support Program: Awarded by the MSU Promise Student Support Program to a select number of students.

Scholarships Based on Affiliations

Key Club Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who have participated in Key Club. Students may receive $250 per year of active service, up to a maximum of $1,000.
Anchor Club Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who have participated in Anchor Club. Students may receive $250 per year of active service, up to a maximum of $1,000.
Mississippi Boys State/Girls State Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who have participated in Mississippi Boys State or Mississippi Girls State.

Scholarships Based on Achievements

Valedictorian Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who are named Valedictorian by their high school.
Salutatorian Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who are named Salutatorian by their high school.
AICE Cambridge Diploma Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who have received an AICE Cambridge Diploma from Cambridge International Education.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who have received an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Congressional Medal Recipients Scholarship: Awarded to entering freshmen who are Congressional Medal recipients.

Scholarships Based on Pageant Participation

Miss Mississippi Scholarship: Awarded to the winners and first through fourth alternates of the Miss Mississippi Program. The first through fourth alternates of the Miss Mississippi program will receive a $1,000 one-year award. This award amount covers the cost of tuition for the overall state winner of the Miss Mississippi Program. The amount of this award will be capped at the regular 12-16 hour tuition rate.
Mississippi Miss Hospitality Scholarship: Awarded to the winners and first through fourth alternates of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program. The first through fourth alternates of the Miss Mississippi program will receive a $1,000 one-year award. This award amount covers the cost of tuition for the overall state winner of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program. The amount of this award will be capped at the regular 12-16 hour tuition rate.
Distinguished Young Women Scholarship: The local winners of the Distinguished Young Women program will receive a $1,000 one-year award. Awarded only to the local winners. This award amount covers the cost of tuition for the overall state winner of the Mississippi Distinguished Young Women Program. The amount of this award will be capped at the regular 12-16 hour tuition rate.

Other Specific Scholarships

Dave C. Swalm Scholarship: Awarded to 20 entering freshmen who are graduates of Brookhaven High School and 5 entering freshmen who are graduates of Brookhaven Academy.
E.H. Sumners Foundation Scholarship: Awarded to residents of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster counties in Mississippi who have submitted the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application and whose residency has been verified by the E.H. Sumners Foundation.
Award for Miss Teen USA or America programs: This award amount covers the cost of tuition for the winners of the Miss Teen USA or America programs. The amount of this award will be capped at the regular 12-16 hour tuition rate. Awarded only to the state winners.

Performance and Service Scholarships

Army ROTC, Air Force ROTC, Department of Art, Department of Music, Choral Activities, Famous Maroon Band, and Spirit Squads may offer scholarships to MSU students. The amounts of these awards vary and are determined by the awarding department. An audition or portfolio showing may be required to be considered for these awards.

Privately Funded Awards

The Mississippi State University Foundation oversees nearly 2,000 privately-funded scholarships housed in our various academic colleges and departments. Many of our Alumni Association's local chapters provide scholarships to students from their local communities. These chapter scholarships are awarded to select students to receive one-year awards based on outstanding leadership and academic records. College and department-specific scholarships are awarded by Mississippi Stateâs eight academic colleges and over 80+ departments.

Non-Resident Fee Waiver for West Alabama Counties

Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus received approval in 2013 from the Institutions of Higher Learning to waive nonresident charges for Alabama residents in six Alabama counties; Sumter, Greene, Choctaw, Hale, Marengo, and Clarke.

General Scholarship Application and Important Dates

Incoming freshmen should complete the general scholarship application and any supplemental applications by December 1 for maximum consideration. Continuing students and incoming transfer students should complete the general scholarship application and any supplemental applications by March 1. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, available October 1, online at fafsa.ed.gov.

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