Sources of Financial Aid

FEDERAL FUNDS

Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) – An eligible student may receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant (AC Grant) of up to $750 for the first academic year of study and up to $1,300 for the second academic year of study (subject to change).  To be eligible for each academic year, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen;

• Be a Federal Pell Grant recipient;

• Be enrolled full-time in a degree program;

• Be enrolled in the first or second academic year of his/her

• program of study at a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution;

• Have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study (after January 1, 2006, if a first-year student, and after January 1, 2005, if a second-year student);

• If a first-year student, not have been previously enrolled in an undergraduate program; and

• If a second-year student, have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the first academic year.

For additional information about the ACG, please see the following web address:  http://ifap.ed.gov/sfahandbooks/attachments/0809FSAHbkVol1Ch6.pdf

Federal Community Service Work Study Program (FCSWS)
This program is a component of FWS and designed to encourage students to participate in community service activities.

Federal Pell Grant
This grant is a federal student aid program designed to provide a foundation of gift aid to students who demonstrate financial need. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Awards may range from $976 to $5,350 per year (subject to change).
 
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant is a federally sponsored program providing gift aid for those students with exceptional financial need (students with the lowest Expected Family Contributions (EFC)). Awards may range from $100 to $4,000.

Federal Work Study Program (FWS)
Part-time jobs are available on campus for students demonstrating financial need to assist them in meeting their educational expenses. The amount of a student’s FWS award depends upon available funds and the student’s financial need.

Job Location and Development (JLD)
The college maintains a program to assist students in finding part-time jobs in the local community.  JLD is primarily intended to assist students who are unable to obtain the FWS jobs.  Students will be paid by the businesses hiring them.
 

STATE FUNDS
To request an application for any of these Mississippi state funds, call the Institutions of Higher Learning at 1-800-327-2980 or access information at the following website:
http://www.mississippi.edu/riseupms/financialaid-state.php

GEAR UP Mississippi Scholarship (Renewals Only)
This scholarship is related to a U.S. Department of Education grant entitled Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs awarded to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.  The award period for the grant was September 2002 through September 2007.  The purpose of the grant is to provide counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and other support services to participating students.  The GEAR UP Mississippi Scholarships was first awarded in the fall of 2008. More information on GEAR UP can be found at the following website:
http://www.mississippi.edu/riseupms/financialaid-step3-grants-loans.php?article_id=443

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)
These state funds are awarded at the discretion of the Financial Aid Administrator based on the student’s need.  This grant is available to Mississippi residents only. Recipients must show a financial need, be enrolled full-time in an eligible program, and make satisfactory academic progress. LEAP awards are based on availability of funds as determined by the financial aid administrator.  Awards may range from $200 to $1,500 a year. 

The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
Created by the Mississippi Legislature this program is designed to provide financial aid assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities.  The primary objective of the MTAG is to provide educational opportunities for students who wish to pursue post secondary education in the state. To request an application, call the Institutions of Higher Learning (1-800-327-2980) or visit the following website:
http://www.mississippi.edu/riseupms/financialaid-step3-grants-loans.php?article_id=230

The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
Created by the Mississippi Legislature this program is designed to provide financial aid assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. The primary objective of the MESG is to provide educational opportunities for students who wish to pursue post secondary education in the state.  To request an application, call the Institutions of Higher Learning (1-800-327-2980) or visit the following website: 
http://www.mississippi.edu/riseupms/financialaid-step3-grants-loans.php?article_id=228

Workforce Investment Act Funds (WIA)
Financial assistance is available for dislocated workers through the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.  A dislocated worker is defined in three ways:

• A person who has been laid-off from his/her job for no fault of his/her own, usually through downsizing or plant closure;

• A person who is a displaced homemaker or

• A person who was financially supported by a dislocated worker.

To be considered for WIA funds, a student must:

• be admitted to an approved program

• apply for a Pell Grant through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• register with the Mississippi State Employment Service through the student’s local WIN Job Service Center. WIN Job Service determines the eligibility for these funds.