NISS – Nissan Scholarship

Program Overview

The Nissan Scholarship is a competitive scholarship, funded by Nissan North America, Inc. The program provides scholarship funds for applicants who will attend a Mississippi public two-year or four-year college and plan to contribute to the state’s automotive industry.

Rules and Regulations

• NISS Rules and Regulations

Important Dates

• Application dates: October 1 – March 1
• Document deadline: March 1

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a graduating Mississippi high school student in the current year.
• Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale after a minimum of seven semesters.
• Score a minimum of 20 on the ACT (940 on the SAT Standardized test used for college admissions, awarding scholarships, and class placement including honors programs. The Office will accept an official SAT score report in place of an ACT score report.) during a national test. Residual test scores are not acceptable. ACT Superscores are accepted.
• Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application.
• Enroll full-time at a Mississippi public community college or university in a program of study leading to a first associate’s or first bachelor’s degree.
• Demonstrate leadership abilities through participation in extracurricular activities.
• Demonstrate 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. by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Write and sign a brief essay (200 words maximum) on the following topic: How do my plans for the future and my college major support the Automotive industry in Mississippi?

Selection Process

A Nissan Scholarship Selection Committee will be appointed each year. Selection of new scholarship recipients will be based on the following criteria and scoring percentages:

• Academic achievement (50%)
• Extracurricular activities/work/leadership/community involvement (15%)
• Quality of applicant’s signed 200-word essay (15%)
• Demonstrated 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. (20%)

Number of Awards and Award Amount

• Contingent upon the availability of fundsThe MTAG is subject to pro rata allocation in the event that there are more eligible applicants than we have funding.  The awards for the HELP, MESG, or discipline-specific programs are not prorated; however, the number of annual awards is based on the availability of funds and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to all eligible applicants who meet the priority deadline, with eligible renewals awarded first., the Nissan Scholarship Selection Committee will determine the number of Nissan Scholarships to be awarded annually. In most years, one or two applicants will be awarded.
• Each scholarship will cover full tuition, required fees, and a book allowance.

Length of Eligibility

• The Nissan Scholarship can be awarded for up to four years: either two years at a two-year college and two additional years at a four-year university, or four years at a four-year university.

(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

1. 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.
2. Complete the online application. 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.
3. 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 parents’ return. Independent students would provide a signed copy of the student’s return. Am I dependent or independent?
• Homestead Exemption
• Voter Registration
• MS Road and Bridge Privilege Tax Registration Receipt 

How to Submit Supporting Documents

To Apply – Renewal Applicants

Renewal Applicants are applicants who have previously received an award through the program.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
2. Complete the online application. 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.