HELP – Higher Ed Legislative Plan
Most questions can be answered by checking your MAAPP Dashboard. You may also send questions to sfa@mississippi.edu, and our staff will respond as quickly as possible.
We are proud to partner with Get2College to help students plan and pay for college. If you need free assistance with the MAAPP or FAFSA, make an appointment with a Get2College counselor.
Submit a new application each year to be considered for all state aid programs, including the Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)HELP is designed to provide tuition assistance to qualified students whose financial need, as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, will not be met with gift aid from other sources., the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)MTAG is designed to provide financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending an approved Mississippi college or university who are not eligible for a full Pell Grant., and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)MESG is a merit-based state grant for high-achieving Mississippi students who meet specific academic requirements, including a minimum ACT score, and enroll at an eligible Mississippi college or university..
Program Overview
Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program provides tuition assistance to qualified students whose financial needThe demonstrated need (must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for demonstrated need to be determined) of the applicant for financial assistance to meet the actual costs of attending the eligible institution of choice as determined from financial information on the applicant and, if required, on the applicant’s parents under the federal need analysis formula., as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, will not be met by gift aid from other sources. The program provides full tuition to qualified students for up to four years.
Rules and Regulations
Important Dates
- Application dates: October 1-March 31
- Supporting Documents (including the FAFSA): April 30
Initial Eligibility Requirements for the Graduating High School Senior
- Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application.
- Have a high school cumulative grade point average (GPA)Students applying for state aid after earning at least 12 semester hours of college coursework must meet the minimum cumulative or semester GPA requirement for the specific program and must maintain progress toward and maintain the minimum cumulative or semester GPA required for continuation in the program. See Program Description. of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Score a minimum of 20 on the National ACT. Superscores are accepted.
- Meet income limitations.
- Demonstrate need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualifying for a maximum or partial federal Pell Grant.
- Enroll full-time at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s degree, or first bachelor’s degree.
Award Amount
- Tuition and required fees at a public institution
- Participants attending a private institution will receive an award amount equal to the average tuition and required fees of the public four-year institutions.
Length of Eligibility
- Max 8 semesters or bachelor’s degree completion, whichever comes first.
(Note: No student may receive undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. grant aid through more than one state-supported undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. grant program in the same term of enrollment. If a student is eligible for aid through multiple grant programs, the student shall be awarded from the program that awards the larger sum. No student shall receive undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. grant aid from any program or any combination of programs for more than eight semesters.)
To Apply – New Applicants
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required for all applicants and will serve as one of two required residency documents.
- Complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP). The online application must be completed each and every academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program. for which the applicant seeks aid.
- Submit required supporting documents.
Supporting Documents:
Residency Documents:
- New applicants (and some renewal applicants with a break in enrollmentA break in enrollment would include any semester or trimester during which the student was awarded state aid and did not attend a Mississippi institution of higher learning. An exception to the break in enrollment is when the student graduates mid-year (December) from a community college and will not enroll in a four (4) year institution until the following fall semester.) will be required to submit two forms of residency documentation. Learn about Residency Requirements and acceptable residency documentation.
Income Documentation:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Household Verification Worksheet (complete online as part of the application, or complete the e-form available in your student account)
Academic Documentation (typically submitted by high school counselor):
- Cumulative high school GPA
- ACT scoreA test required or accepted at all public and many private universities in Mississippi. Scores are used in college admissions, awarding scholarships, and class placement, including honors programs. The eligibility criteria for certain state-funded undergraduate programs require a minimum ACT score. or superscore from an official source
How to Submit Supporting Documents
To Apply – Renewal Applicants
Renewal Applicants are applicants who have previously received an award through the program.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP). The online application must be completed each and every academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program. for which the applicant seeks aid.
- Complete the Household Verification Worksheet (complete online as part of the application or complete the e-form available in your student account).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why must I reapply for HELP every year?
Current legislation requires students to complete a renewal application each year. At a minimum, a student must complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP) no later than the close of business on the deadline date.
What if I have to withdraw from school during a semester?
A student must maintain continuous full-time enrollmentA student must maintain continuous full-time enrollment each academic year to renew eligibility (except for certain nursing and teaching programs). Full-time enrollment requires completing 12 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework. Students who skip the fall semester and only enroll in the spring are not eligible. Students enrolled in an approved Cooperative Education Program on alternate semesters are considered continuously enrolled. during the fall and spring during each successive academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program., unless granted an exception for cause. Examples of exceptions for cause can be found here: Submit an Appeal. If a recipient fails to maintain continuous full-time enrollmentA student must maintain continuous full-time enrollment each academic year to renew eligibility (except for certain nursing and teaching programs). Full-time enrollment requires completing 12 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework. Students who skip the fall semester and only enroll in the spring are not eligible. Students enrolled in an approved Cooperative Education Program on alternate semesters are considered continuously enrolled., unless granted an exception for cause, that student is ineligible to receive funds during the next semester of full-time enrollment of a regular academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program.. Summer semester enrollment is not considered part of the regular academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program..
Is my grade point average (GPA)Students applying for state aid after earning at least 12 semester hours of college coursework must meet the minimum cumulative or semester GPA requirement for the specific program and must maintain progress toward and maintain the minimum cumulative or semester GPA required for continuation in the program. See Program Description. checked at the end of each semester or at the end of the academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program.? Besides my GPA, what else is checked?
Continuing eligibilityEach state aid recipient must maintain a program-specific college grade point average to continue to receive funds under the renewal process. The recipient must also maintain continuous full-time enrollment status at one Mississippi institution of higher learning. Please see renewal eligibility requirements for GPA and continuous full-time enrollment for further information. for HELP will be evaluated at the end of each semester of the regular academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program.. Cumulative grades (2.5 required) and continuous full-time enrollmentA student must maintain continuous full-time enrollment each academic year to renew eligibility (except for certain nursing and teaching programs). Full-time enrollment requires completing 12 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework. Students who skip the fall semester and only enroll in the spring are not eligible. Students enrolled in an approved Cooperative Education Program on alternate semesters are considered continuously enrolled. will be evaluated.
I have lost eligibility for HELP. How can I regain eligibility?
If a student loses HELP eligibility due to less than full-time enrollment status, that student must attend, without the benefit of HELP funds, one full-time semester during a regular academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program., before regaining eligibility unless an exception for cause has been granted. If a student loses HELP eligibility due to having less than a 2.5 GPA, that student will regain eligibility when the cumulative GPA is improved to the required minimum.
I graduated from high school three years ago and just learned about HELP. Am I eligible to apply?
No. HELP applicants must apply and qualify for HELP within one year of high school graduation.
Is HELP available to me for summer school?
No. HELP is available during the regular academic yearFor state aid, the academic year refers to the Fall and Spring semesters. Summer is generally not covered by state aid unless specifically noted for a program. only.
My HELP award was canceled because my institution reported that I was not enrolled full-time. Can the HELP award be reinstated?
Yes. Your HELP award can be reinstated but you must get your institution to submit an electronic enrollment verification report verifying that you are full-time by the applicable deadline for the term of enrollment. The deadline for Fall term is October 15 and for Spring term is March 15. Please contact our office prior to these deadlines if there are any unusual circumstances that you feel should be considered.
My HELP award for the Spring term was canceled because the institution reported that my Fall semester cumulative GPA was below the required 2.5. Due to grade changes, my cumulative GPA is now 2.5 or better. What must I do to have my award reinstated?
Your institution must submit an official grade verification report demonstrating that you earned the minimum required GPA. The grade verification must be received by March 15. Please contact our office prior to this deadline if there are any unusual circumstances that you feel should be considered.