Apply for Federal and State Grants
Federal Pell Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet received a bachelor’s degree and meet Satisfactory Academic Policy Standards. The maximum award for the 2017-18 academic year is $5,920 and is based on the results of the FAFSA.
Federal Supplemental Equal Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG grant is awarded based on availability of funds to undergraduate students who are Pell Grant recipients and have exceptional financial need.
Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
The MTAG Grant is offered by the state of Mississippi through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid for students who are residents of Mississippi with a 2.5 high school GPA and ACT score of 15 or above. Students may apply after October 1. The application deadline is September 15 each year. Students must maintain 15 credit hours each semester to be eligible.
MTAG awards up to $500 per academic year for freshmen and sophomores. A recipient may receive MTAG for up to 8 semesters.
- Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application
- Graduate from high school with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or earn a high school equivalency diploma (submit copy of GED or equivalent test scores and GED or equivalent certificate) or complete a Home School program (submit signed transcript of 9th through 12th grades)
- Score a minimum of a 15 on the National ACT
- Enroll full-time at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree
- Be eligible for less than the full Federal Pell Grant as determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid uses the most recent FAFSA transaction to determine an applicant’s Pell Grant eligibility
- Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA on at least 12 completed hours
- Attend an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree
- Enroll full-time and maintain full-time enrollment (complete with passing grades) each semester. Full-time enrollment is 15 hours per semester or 9 hours per trimester.
- Be eligible for less than the full Federal Pell Grant as determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid uses the most recent FAFSA transaction to determine an applicant’s Pell Grant eligibility.
- Complete the online application for each year in which you seek aid.
- Submit your supporting documents. New applicants and some renewal applicants with a break in enrollment will be required to submit two forms of residency documentation.
- Preferred Residency Documents:
- FAFSA
- Mississippi driver’s license (can be submitted electronically during the online application)
- Alternate Residency Documents Accepted:
- State Tax Return (NOT Federal) for the current tax filing year. Dependent students would provide a signed copy of the first two pages of the parent’s return. Independent students would provide a signed copy of the student’s return. Am I dependent or independent?
- Homestead Exemption
- Voter Registration
- Vehicle Registration
- Preferred Residency Documents:
Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
The MESG Grant is offered by the state of Mississippi through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid for students who are residents of Mississippi with a 3.5 high school GPA and ACT score of 29 or above, or semifinalist/finalist of the National Merit Scholarship or National Achievement Scholarship competition.
Students may apply after October 1 each year. The deadline is September 15 each year. Students must maintain 15 credit hours each semester to be eligible.
Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)
The HELP Grant is offered by the state of Mississippi through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid for students who are residents of Mississippi with a 2.5 high school GPA and ACT score of 20 or above. Students must demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 31 of each year. Students may apply after January 1 each year. More resources and advice for MS students available at www.mywayms.org.
MGCCC CRRSSA Grants
Mississippi Coast Community College will begin awarding CRRSSA Grants to students enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester who experienced a hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For consideration, complete the Grant Application by April 30, 2021.