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.
Eligibility is determined by the ‘expected family contribution’ (EFC), which is calculated when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is filed. Amounts can change annually, but the maximum award amount for the 2021-2022 aid year is $6,495. The amount you are awarded depends on your financial need, your cost of attendance (determined by the institution), your status as either a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend a full academic year or less. You may not receive the Federal Pell Grant from more than school at a time.
- You must enroll in at least 12 hours to receive your maximum amount of funds for the Pell Grant
- Your Pell Grant amount will reduce if you enroll in less than 12 credit hours
- The Department of Education requires that the Financial Aid Office set a ‘freeze date’, after which your Pell Grant cannot be increased due to changes in your schedule
- Pell Grant funds will be calculated based on hours recorded at the enrollment ‘freeze date’. For dates and deadlines, check out the disbursement schedule.
- If you enroll in less than 12 hours in the fall or spring semester, you may receive the remainder of your Pell Grant eligibility in the summer semester, provided you are still eligible for financial aid.
Year Round Pell
Students can receive Pell Grant funding during the summer semester. Students are eligible for up to 150% of their award amount in a year. In order to receive the additional amount, students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours.
Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage
The Department of Education has established lifetime limits for Pell Grant funding. A student is not eligible for more than 600% (approximately 6 years) of Pell Grant funding. Once this limit has been reached, you will no longer receive Pell funding. Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (Pell LEU) can be checked online through the National Student Loan Data System.
Pell Recalculation Policy
In accordance with Department of Education regulations, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will recalculate financial aid awards based on the student’s enrollment status for the semester at the conclusion of the initial Freeze Date for the first part of term in which the student is enrolled.
Hours enrolled after the Freeze Date will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
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.
Return of Title IV Funds
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- Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
- Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
- Federal Direct PLUS Loan
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
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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) each year. Students may apply at Mississippi Office of Student Aid www.msfinancialaid.org after October 1 each year. The deadline for applying for the HELP grant is March 31 each year.
MGCCC CARES Grants
Mississippi Coast Community College will begin awarding CARES Grants to students enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester who experienced a hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For consideration, complete the Fall Grant Application by November 15, 2021.
Access to Opportunity Grant
The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi offers the Access to Opportunity Grant. This grant provides financial and wrap around services support to student mothers 18 years and older. Financial awards are available to 50 applicants to assist with support services offered by the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi.