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Residency Requirements

Residency Requirements

To qualify for Mississippi state financial aid, students must demonstrate that they are legal residents of the State of Mississippi. Residency status is used to determine eligibility for state grants, scholarships, and other aid offered through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.

Mississippi residency for state aid purposes is It is the responsibility of each applicant to provide acceptable documentation that shows they meet the state’s residency requirements.

Basic Residency Eligibility:

To meet residency requirements for state aid:

  • You must be a Mississippi resident for at least one year before applying for aid.
  • You must provide two forms of residency documentation that support your claim of Mississippi residency.

Required Residency Documents:

To prove residency status for state aid, applicants must submit two acceptable documents.

Preferred Residency Documents

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid — The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for federal student aid. It is available online at www.fafsa.gov. The student must complete the FAFSA by the document deadline specified by the program. The Office will automatically receive the applicant’s FAFSA results if the applicant’s official state of residency is Mississippi.
  • Mississippi Driver’s License / State ID — A student should submit the Mississippi Driver’s License Number while completing the online application or make a color photocopy and send it to the Office. Please do not fax a copy of the driver’s license.  Dependent students must submit a parent’s Mississippi Driver’s License Number. Independent students must submit his/her own Mississippi Driver’s License Number

Alternate Residency Documents

  • Mississippi Tax Return (State Tax Return) — A student should submit pages 1-3 of the state tax return for the current tax year.  The tax return must be signed, unless prepared by a tax preparation professional. Dependent students must submit a parent’s tax return.  Independent students must submit his/her own tax return.
  • Voter Registration Card — Must be completed at least 12 months before the start of the term.
  • MS Road and Bridge Privilege Tax Receipt / Vehicle Registration — Must be in effect for at least 12 months before the term.
  • Homestead Exemption Documentation — Filed and in effect for at least 12 months prior to the term.  Contact your County Tax Assessor.

Special Circumstances 

Certain students may have unique residency challenges, such as:

  • Military personnel or their dependents — To qualify for Mississippi state aid, the student must be a Mississippi resident. For dependent students, residency is based on the parents’ legal residence, not where they are stationed. Independent students must be Mississippi residents for at least one year before applying for aid. Additional documentation, such as the Leave and Earnings Statement, may be requested for review.
  • Part-year tax filers — A residential lease or purchase agreement should be submitted with the part-year Mississippi Tax Return to determine residency.

Dependent students must submit residency documents for their parent or guardian, while independent students must submit their own documentation.

How to Submit Residency Documents

For information on how to submit residency documents, visit How to Submit Documents.