MESG – Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant
Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program provides financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state-approved public and private not-for-profit two- and four-year colleges and universities. The primary objective of MESG is to provide educational opportunities for high-achieving high school students who wish to pursue postsecondaryThis term means “after high school”. Postsecondary education can be obtained through study at a college, university, community college, technical college, or trade school, on or off campus. education in the state.
Rules and Regulations
Important Dates
- Application Dates: October 1 – September 15
- Supporting Documents Deadline: October 15 (following September 15 application deadline)
Eligibility Requirements for Entering Freshmen
- Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to high school or homeschool completion.
- Earn 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 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. (Home School applicants must submit a signed transcript of 9th through 12th grades.)
- Score a minimum of 29 on the National ACT (1350 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.), or be named a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist. ACT Superscores are accepted.
- Enroll full-time at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility Requirements for Students Currently Enrolled in College
- Meet all the eligibility requirements of the entering freshmanFirst time never attended college. High School graduates who have earned less than twelve (12) college credits who meet the requirements for state aid. and apply within three years of high school graduation.
- Have a minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA on at least 12 completed college hours but no more than 18 completed college hours.
- Attend an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree.
- Enroll full-time and maintain full-time enrollment (complete with passing grades) each semester. Full-time enrollment is 12 hours per semester.
Award Amount
- MESG awards up to $2,500 per 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., but awards may not exceed tuition and required fees.
Length of Eligibility
A recipient may receive MESG up to 8 semesters or 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
- 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. 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:
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 three 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
Note: Our office receives FAFSA results electronically for all Mississippi residents. When possible, the state tax return or the Mississippi driver’s license pending document will be replaced by the FAFSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
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..
What if I drop below full-time enrollment during a semester?
A student must maintain full-time enrollment. If a student drops below full-time status during a semester 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., 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..
Why must I reapply every year?
Current legislation requires students to complete a renewal application each year. At a minimum, a student must file the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP) no later than the close of business on the deadline date.
Why must I sign off on the Statements of Certification as part of the application processTo qualify each year, the student must complete the online application and submit all supporting documentation (if requested) to the state financial aid office by the designated deadline.?
Additionally, the legislation states that “…Each student, each year, must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form or a Statement of Certification as designed by the administering board to determine his/her eligibility…”. The Statement of Certification was developed as an alternative to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for students and parents who believe they will not qualify for the federal Pell Grant. Be sure to read the certification statements carefully on the web application.
Is my GPA 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 MTAG 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 (3.5 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’m enrolling in a vocational or technical course of study. Am I still eligible?
Yes. The legislation governing MESG allows students who are enrolling in Vocational or Technical programs to receive MESG awards if those students meet the entrance requirements of that particular community/junior college and maintain the school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards, as certified by the school’s registrar.
My 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. is 29 or higher, but my high school GPA is less than 3.5. Will I be eligible for MESG after attending college and establishing a 3.5 GPA on college course work? If my high school GPA is 3.5 or higher but my 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. is below 29, will I ever be eligible for MESG?
No. MESG recipients must qualify as a high school senior meeting both the 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. of 29 or higher and a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher.
I have lost eligibility for MESG. How can I regain eligibility?
If a student loses MESG eligibility due to less than full-time enrollment status, that student must attend, without the benefit of MESG 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 MESG eligibility due to a GPA below 3.5, the student will regain eligibility once the cumulative GPA meets the required minimum.
Is MESG available to me for summer school?
No. MESG is available only 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..
My MESG award was canceled because my institution reported that I was not enrolled full-time. Can the MESG award be reinstated?
Yes. Your MESG award can be reinstated, but you must have your institution submit an electronic enrollment verification report confirming that you are full-time by the applicable deadline for the term of enrollment. The deadline for the Fall term is October 15 and for the 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 MESG award for the Spring term was canceled because the institution reported that my Fall semester cumulative GPA was below the required 3.5. Due to grade changes, my cumulative GPA is now 3.5 or better. What must I do to have my award reinstated?
Your institution must submit an electronic 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.