Navigating Scholarships at Mississippi State University: A Comprehensive Guide

For many, financing a college education requires careful planning and exploration of available financial aid options. Mississippi State University (MSU) offers a diverse range of scholarships to assist students in achieving their academic goals. This guide provides a detailed overview of the scholarship opportunities available at MSU, along with eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Understanding the General Scholarship Application (GSA)

The General Scholarship Application (GSA) serves as the primary gateway to most scholarship opportunities at Mississippi State University. The GSA opens on October 1, and the priority date for entering freshmen to submit the GSA is December 1. Completing the GSA allows students to be considered for a wide array of scholarships, including automatch scholarships, which do not require an additional application. Automatch scholarships will appear with “None” listed under the “Action” column. Additional scholarship opportunities may become available after the General Scholarship Application has been completed, based on test scores, GPA, leadership and service, and applicant record.

After you complete and submit the General Scholarship Application, you may have additional opportunities recommended to you based on your test scores, GPA, leadership and service, and applicant record.

*Test scores are based on the student's ACT/SAT superscore. The last test date used for academic scholarship purposes is the February test date of a student's senior year.

*9th-11th grade GPA will include the GPA as listed on the official 6-semester high school transcript or the core GPA as calculated by the MSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The higher of the two will be used for scholarship purposes.

To access the GSA, students must log in using their NetID and NetPassword via the "Sign In" button on the Online Scholarship System. After logging in, a new tab will open, and you will need to click the ‘Sign In’ button in the top right corner. After completing the application, remember to click the ‘Save’ button!

Types of Scholarships Available at MSU

Mississippi State University provides a variety of scholarship programs to cater to different student profiles and academic pursuits. These scholarships can be broadly categorized as follows:

Academic Scholarships

MSU offers a range of academic scholarships to recognize and reward students with outstanding academic achievements.

Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate overall academic excellence, requiring a minimum 3.0 scholarship GPA (9-11 grade) and a minimum 21 ACT score (or SAT equivalent).
National Merit/Semi-Finalists Scholarships: Entering freshmen who are National Merit Finalists or Semi-Finalists and have at least a 3.0 GPA are eligible for this renewable four-year award.

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Non-Resident Tuition Scholarships: Non-resident freshmen with at least a 3.0 scholarship GPA (9-11 grade) are eligible. Students applying as test optional must have a minimum 3.30 scholarship GPA. The non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may be combined with the Freshman Academic excellence Scholarship.
Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarships: These scholarships are available to non-resident freshmen who are sons and daughters of alumni. The minimum qualification for alumni status is 48 semester hours of work completed at MSU. Student must have a minimum 3.0 scholarship GPA (9-11 grade). The Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may be combined with the Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship.

Leadership and Service Scholarships

MSU recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and a commitment to service through various scholarships:

Leadership and Service Scholarships: MSU offers a variety of Leadership and Service Scholarships including Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Eagle Scout, Gold Award, Key Club, etc. Verification letters or other supporting documentation are required.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarships: Awarded to entering freshmen who are named Valedictorian or Salutatorian by their high school.

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Eagle Scout, Gold Award, Key Club, Anchor Club Scholarships: Awarded to entering freshmen who have participated in Eagle Scout, Gold Award, Key Club, or Anchor Club. Students may receive $250 per year of active service, up to a maximum of $1,000.

Departmental Scholarships

Colleges and departments within MSU offer scholarships specifically designed to assist students majoring in a particular discipline. These scholarships are competitively awarded and often renewable. Students with a chosen major are encouraged to contact the department in their major area of study regarding scholarship opportunities.

McGowen Sch.: Students must be majoring in Civil Engineering.
Saunders Ramsey, P.E.: Students must be majoring in Civil Engineering.
Holtzendorf-Alpha Chemical Annual Freshman Sch.: Candidates must be a full-time student at MSU.

Transfer Scholarships

For students transferring to MSU from other institutions, several scholarship opportunities are available:

Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship is open to entering transfer students at Mississippi State University.
Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: This scholarship is open to entering community college transfer students at Mississippi State University.
Phi Theta Kappa All-Mississippi Academic Team Scholarship: This scholarship is open to entering community college transfer students at Mississippi State University. You must have completed at least 48 hours with a minimum 3.25 GPA and be a member of Phi Theta Kappa to be eligible for this award.

ROTC Scholarships

Army/Air Force ROTC Four-Year Scholarships: These scholarships are available to students interested in commissions as officers in either the Army or the Air Force. Scholarships are based on ACT scores and high school grades, not financial need.

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.

Other Scholarships and Programs

Luckyday Scholars Program: This program is open to first-time freshman students at Mississippi State University. Recipients of this award will participate in the immersive Luckyday Scholars Program.
Distinguished Young Women's Scholarship: This scholarship is open to entering freshmen at Mississippi State University who are winners of the Mississippi Distinguished Young Women Program.
Miss Mississippi Scholarship: Awarded to the winners and first through fourth alternates of the Miss Mississippi Program.
Mississippi Miss Hospitality Scholarship: Awarded to the winners and first through fourth alternates of the Mississippi Miss Hospitality Program.
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.
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.

Additional Financial Aid Options

In addition to scholarships, Mississippi State University students can explore other forms of financial aid, including:

Federal Pell Grants: A federal student aid program designed to provide a foundation of gift aid to students who demonstrate financial need. All undergraduate students enrolled for their first undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for Pell Grants.
Federal Work-Study: A program of part-time employment for students who demonstrate financial need.
Subsidized Loans: Based upon financial need and provided by the U.S. Department of Education for students who need assistance in meeting educational expenses.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: A federally sponsored program to provide gift aid for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Funds are limited.
Federal Direct Plus Loans: Plus Loans are credit loans for parents of dependent students and for graduate/professional students.
Mississippi State Promise: Mississippi State University offers the Mississippi State Promise program that provides institutional financial assistance for entering freshmen and community college transfer students from Mississippi who are from families that are Pell Grant eligible.
Undergraduate Tuition Remission Policy for Children of Faculty and Staff: The partial tuition remission policy applies to all single dependent children of full time faculty and staff.
Emergency Short-Term Loans: The University has available for students a means of borrowing small sums of money to meet emergency expenses during the academic year.

Eligibility and Renewal Requirements

To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must adhere to certain requirements:

Full-time Enrollment: Students must enroll full-time (12 credit hours each semester at MSU) to receive their scholarship(s).
GPA Maintenance: Scholarship renewal is based on maintaining continuous full-time enrollment and maintaining the required overall college GPA as listed in the student's official scholarship offer letter. Enrollment and overall college GPA are checked at the end of each spring semester to determine scholarship renewal eligibility for the next academic year.
Submission of the General Scholarship Application: Submission of the General Scholarship Application is required for competitive scholarships, including private, departmental, and leadership and service scholarships. For these scholarships that require a minimum ACT/SAT score, eligibility will be based on ACT/SAT scores on file as of December 1.

Overawards

Federal financial aid, state financial aid, and/or scholarship recipients may not receive funds in excess of cost of attendance. This may occur when students receive funds from other sources or agencies. When an over-award occurs, an adjustment to the student's financial aid and/or scholarships is required. A student may be required to repay funds due to the loss of eligibility. To prevent an over-award, notify the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships of any assistance you receive that is not listed on your award letter.

Important Dates and Deadlines

October 1: The General Scholarship Application (GSA) opens.
December 1: Priority date for entering freshmen to submit the GSA.
December 1: For scholarships that require a minimum ACT/SAT score, eligibility will be based on ACT/SAT scores on file as of December 1.
March 1: Deadline for continuing students and incoming transfer students to complete the general scholarship application and any supplemental applications.
February Test Date: The last test date used for academic scholarship purposes is the February test date of a student's senior year.

Applying for Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide

Log in to the Online Scholarship System: Access the system using your NetID and NetPassword via the "Sign In" button.
Complete the General Scholarship Application (GSA): Fill out the GSA thoroughly and accurately.
Explore Additional Opportunities: After submitting the GSA, check for additional scholarship recommendations based on your profile.
Contact Departments: If you have a chosen major, contact the relevant department to inquire about departmental scholarships.
Submit Required Documents: Ensure that you submit all necessary documents, such as verification letters for leadership and service activities.
Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit all materials on time.

Additional Resources

MSU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships: Contact the office for any questions or concerns regarding financial aid and scholarships.
Departmental Contacts: Reach out to the specific departments related to your major for information on departmental scholarships.
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid: Contact the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211, for information about state-sponsored aid programs.

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