Scholarships - [ academic scholarships for entering freshmen ]
* Admission to the university and an online resume are required for scholarship consideration.
*MSU offers general scholarships to entering freshmen based on a scholarship grade-point average (overall GPA submitted on the official high school transcript or core GPA calculated by MSU on a 4.0 scale from 9-11 grades), official ACT/SAT scores submitted directly to MSU, and submission of the online resume.
* The written portion of the ACT or SAT is not considered for the awarding of scholarships.
* Recipients must enroll as a full-time student the semester in which the award is received. Recipients also must remain in good standing.
Mississippi State University has a variety of academic scholarships including scholarships for National Merit and National Achievement finalists and semi-finalists, National Hispanic Scholars, Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and overall academic excellence.
In addition to earned outstanding honors and awards, these scholarships require an above average ACT/SAT score, a competitive high school GPA, and excellent leadership and service activities.
Scholarship amounts are competitive and include awards ranging from the cost of books and housing to full resident and non-resident tuition.
Note: Only National Test Date ACT/SAT scores will be considered in determining scholarship awards. The 2009 December ACT is the last ACT to be considered for scholarship purposes. The written portion of the SAT is not considered for admission or scholarship awarding purposes.Freshman Academic Excellence
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: February 1
- Award: Starting at $4,000
- Criteria:
- Minimum 24 ACT (1090 SAT)
- Scholarship GPA of 3.0
- Excellent leadership and service activities
Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: February 1
- Award: 100% scholarship for the non-resident portion of tuition
- Criteria:
- Minimum 24 ACT (1090 SAT)
- Scholarship GPA of 3.0
- Excellent leadership and service activities
*May be awarded in addition to the Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship.
*Applicants who receive a non-resident tuition scholarship will not be a candidate for the Alumni Waiver, except in the summer.
National Merit/Achievement Semi-Finalist, Resident
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: February 1
- Award: $22,000 over four years ($5,500/year)
- Criteria: Scholarship GPA of 3.25
National Merit/Achievement Semi-Finalist, Non-Resident
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: February 1
- Award: $20,000 over four years ($5,000/year), plus the non-resident portion of tuition
- Criteria: Scholarship GPA of 3.25
*Applicants who receive a non-resident tuition scholarship will not be a candidate for the Alumni Waiver, except in the summer.
National Merit/Achievement Finalist, Resident
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: February 1
- Award:
- $22,000 over four years ($5,500/year)
- 4 years of complimentary, double occupancy, on-campus housing
- One-time $1,500 Educational Enrichment Scholarship for qualified educational pursuits, such as study abroad
- Criteria:
- Scholarship GPA of 3.25
- Name MSU as their first choice
*Scholars sponsored by National Merit Corp. or a foundation may be selected for an annual stipend ranging from $500 to $3,000.
National Merit/Achievement Finalist, Non-Resident
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: February 1
- Award:
- $20,000 over four years ($5,000/year), plus the non-resident portion of tuition
- 4 years of complimentary, double occupancy, on-campus housing
- One-time $1,500 Educational Enrichment Scholarship for qualified educational pursuits, such as study abroad
- Criteria:
- Scholarship GPA of 3.25
- Name MSU as their first choice
*Scholars sponsored by National Merit Corp. or a foundation may be selected for an annual stipend ranging from $500 to $3,000.
*Applicants who receive a non-resident tuition scholarship will not be a candidate for the Alumni Waiver, except in the summer.
National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program
- Priority Date: February 1
- Award: Residents of Mississippi: $22,000 over four years ($5,500/year), Residents of other states: $20,000 over four years ($5,000/year) and a scholarship for 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition.
- Criteria: Students who have been officially named as National Hispanic Scholars finalists by the College Board and have a 29+ ACT and scholarship GPA of 3.5 or above.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship
One-time award- Priority Date: February 1
- Award:
- $1,000 for Valedictorian students named by their high schools
- $500 for Salutatorian students named by their high schools
- Criteria:
- Scholarship Resume must be received by February 1, 2010.
- Letter of verification by a high school guidance counselor, principal, or other high school official must be received by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships before August 1, 2010
4-H Academic Scholarship
One-time award- Priority Date: August 1
- Award: A one-time award of $500 ($250 per semester)
- Criteria:
- Be an entering freshman
- Mississippi resident
- Must have a scholarship GPA of 3.0
- Must have a minimum 20 ACT or a 940 SAT
- Must be an active member in the 4-H Community Club
- Must submit a letter of participation from the county 4-H representative or the state 4-H office
Access Grant
Four-year award- Priority Date: February 1
- Award: 50% of the non-resident portion of tuition
- Criteria:
- ACT composite score of 20-23 (940-1080 SAT)
- Scholarship GPA of 3.0
- For residents of states other than Mississippi
- May be combined with the 50% alumni waiver
