Frequently Asked Questions
Application, Supporting Documents, and Eligibility
When can I apply for state aid, and what are the deadline dates?
- October 1: Application for next Aid Year becomes available
- March 1: Online application deadline for the Nissan Scholarship
- March 31: Online application deadline for the HELP Grant and for forgivable loans
- April 30: Supporting document deadline for the HELP Grant and for forgivable loans
- June 30: Letter of acceptance deadline (if required)
- September 15: Online application deadline for MTAG and MESG
- October 15: Supporting document deadline for MTAG, MESG, and FAFSA/HELP Conflict document deadline
I completed the FASFA. Is there a separate application for state aid?
Yes. To be considered for state aid, you must complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP). There is a single application for all programs, except the Nissan Scholarship and loan repayment programs.
Can I still apply if I missed the deadline date?
No. Deadline dates are firm and required by state law. No exceptions to the application deadline are made for any reason. The application opens on October 1 each year.
Do I need to reapply for the spring semester?
No. There is only one application period for each 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..
I received state aid last year. Do I have to reapply each year?
Yes. A renewal application is required each year.
Is my application complete?
Check the completion status of your application in your MAAPP Dashboard. You will log in with your username and password. Review the section titled “Documents.” If you see the statement, “No Outstanding Documents at this Time,” then your application is complete. If supporting documents are still needed, you will see a message with instructions for submitting the outstanding documents, and the documents will be highlighted. We recommend checking your MAAPP Dashboard frequently for updates.
Where can I look at my account online?
Log in to your MAAPP Dashboard. You will log in with your username and password.
When should I hear something regarding my eligibility?
For students with a complete application (including supporting documents), awarding begins in mid-June after all spring grades have been received from the institutions. If your application file becomes complete after mid-June, you will be notified within 2 weeks of its completion. For students regaining Spring eligibility, our office starts making awards in mid-February. View the Awards Process and Timeline.
What documents can I submit to demonstrate Mississippi residency?
Acceptable residency documents can be found on the Residency Requirements page.
I completed the FAFSA as one of my residency documents, but because of my family situation, I am unable to provide a second residency document. What should I do?
Given your unique situation, you should contact our office so that we may discuss other options available to you.
Why do I need to send a copy of my parent’s (dependent studentA student who is required to provide parental information on the financial aid application because the student does not meet the criteria for an independent student in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.) State of Mississippi Tax Return for the current tax filing year?
To be eligible for most state aid, you must be a Mississippi residentAn applicant who meets the state’s legal residency requirements. Applicants must be a Mississippi resident to qualify for most state financial aid programs. Residency requirements differ for dependent students (based on their parents’ residency) and independent students. for at least a year prior to applying, and you must provide two forms of residency documentation. The parents’ State of Mississippi Tax Return is one document you may submit. Acceptable residency documents are available on the Documents Information page.
What if I have to withdraw from school or drop below full-time enrollment during a semester?
To be eligible for most state aid, you must maintain continuous, full-time enrollment 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. unless granted an exception for cause. UndergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. students must enroll in and earn (complete with passing grades) 12 credit hours per semester to be considered full-time for state aid. If you withdraw or your enrollment drops before state aid is disbursed, your aid will be canceled for the impacted term and the following term. If you withdraw or your enrollment drops anytime after state aid has been disbursed, then your aid will be canceled for the following term.
How do I submit an appeal?
Students can appeal decisions related to full-time, continuous enrollment for certain reasons. Please visit: Submit an Appeal
Is state aid available during the summer?
The FAITH Scholarship is the only undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. program that awards during the summer.
I am a graduate student. Are there any state aid programs available to me?
Yes. If you are working on a graduate degree in education or in certain health-related professional areas, you may qualify for one of our forgivable loan programs. Please visit: Graduate Programs
I plan to attend a school out of state. Am I still eligible for state aid?
The only program that allows students to attend an out-of-state institution is the SREB Regional Contract program for students pursuing a degree in Optometry at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, or the Southern College of Optometry in Tennessee.
Awards and Disbursement
When should I hear if I have been awarded?
For students with a complete application (including supporting documents), awarding begins in mid-June. If your application file becomes complete after mid-June, you will be notified within 2 weeks. View the Awards Process and Timeline.
When will my school be notified of my award?
The school will be notified of your award at the same time you are notified. The Office must wait until all institutions submit spring-term grades. Only then can the Office begin to make award notices. This typically occurs mid-June. View the Awards Process and Timeline.
My school account does not show my award. Why?
Award rosters (lists of students who have been awarded state aid) are sent to schools once a week, detailing each student’s awards. If you recently received an award notification, please allow at least one week for the school to update your account.
What do I need to do to accept my award?
You do not need to do anything to accept an undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. grant or scholarship. To accept a forgivable loan for the first time, you must sign a contract and submit the self-certification form.
Do I have to pay undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. grants and scholarships back?
No. All undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid to the MS Office of Student Financial Aid.
Electronic Grade Verification and Full-time, Continuous Full-time Enrollment
What is an Electronic Grade Verification?
The Electronic Grade Verification is requested because the Office does not have grades on file for the previous term and cannot determine your eligibility. To request an Electronic Grade Verification, contact the financial aid office of the college where you will be attending and wish to receive aid (may be different than the college you last attended). The college must submit the Electronic Grade Verification. You should NOT submit a transcriptAn academic record that lists the courses taken, grades received, and credits or credit hours received.. The Office will not calculate GPAs but will accept the GPA calculated by the college.
How many classes do I have to take to get state aid?
College enrollment is measured in credit hours, not classes. UndergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. students must enroll in and earn (complete with passing grades) 12 credit hours per semester to maintain eligibility for state aid for programs that require full-time enrollment.
FAFSA and Federal Student Aid
Can the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid assist me with the FAFSA?
No. The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is administered by the federal government. Current college students should contact the college financial aid office for assistance. High school students or adults returning to college may contact Get2College, the state’s college access partner, for free, confidential assistance with the FAFSA.
Should I complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)The federally approved application completed by the student that collects household and financial information necessary to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI) for federal and some state financial aid programs. The completion of additional forms may also be required before eligibility is determined. to receive state aid?
All students are strongly encouraged to complete the FAFSA to be considered for some institutional and private aid as well as loans. The HELP Grant and the FAITH Scholarship are the only programs that require the applicant to complete the FAFSA.
I completed the FASFA. Is there a separate application for undergraduateA college student who has not yet earned a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent. state aid?
Yes. To be considered for state aid, you must complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP). There is a single application for all programs, except the Nissan Scholarship, which requires a separate application.
High School Counselors
I’m a high school counselor. How do I apply for a MAAPP Account?
Find additional information for high school counselors, including how to apply for a MAAPP Account, on our High Schools pages.
Loans – Deferment/Cancellation/Repayment
What form do I have to fill out to prove I am working?
To prove you are working, you should submit a Service Deferment/Cancellation Form. At the beginning of each year of employment, you should submit the form to defer payment of the debt, because you are working to complete the required service obligation. At the end of each year of employment, you should submit the form to cancel all or part of the debt because you have completed all or part of the required service obligation.
What are Deferment Dates?
Deferment dates are the dates marking the beginning and ending of one year of required service, during which you will defer (delay until a future time) making payments of the debt, because you are working to complete the required service obligation.
What are Cancellation Dates?
Cancellation dates are the dates marking the beginning and ending of one year of required service, which you have completed and therefore fulfilled the service obligation required to cancel one year’s loan equivalent.
Can the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid assist me with my Federal Student Loans?
No. Federal student loans are issued by the federal government through the school’s financial aid office. You must contact your loan servicer for help with your federal student loans. If you do not know who your loan servicer is, please contact your school’s financial aid office.
Who is Heartland ECSI?
Heartland ECSI is a third-party vendor that services all of the state’s forgivable loan programs. If you received money from the state through any forgivable loan program, you will receive information from ECSI regarding repayment once you separate (graduate, move out of state, or withdraw) from the program of study. Learn more about your state forgivable loan on the State Loan Repayment & Service Forms page.