Scholarships in Mississippi

Apply to Scholarships in Mississippi

Since Mississippi is continually recognized for having the lowest median household income and being the poorest state in the United States, many organizations have created scholarships in Mississippi to ensure its young residents can have access to the 24 public and 9 private top-notch universities within the borders. Whether you are born and raised or considering moving to the "Magnolia State," the following are 25 of the most generous scholarships for achieving higher education dreams in Mississippi.

1. AIAA Alabama-Mississippi Section Engineering Scholarships

Deadline: May 13th

With the goal of encouraging more students to follow an aerospace curriculum to become practicing engineers and scientists, the Alabama-Mississippi Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) offers up to $1,500 scholarships annually to graduating high school seniors in pursuit of an engineering or science degree. Eligible applicants must be Alabama or Mississippi residents, be accepted for enrollment at an ABET-accredited institution, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher.

Contact

AIAA Alabama-Mississippi Section Engineering Scholarships
P.O. Box 7208
Huntsville, AL 35807
(800) 639-2422

2. AQHA Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship

Deadline: December 1st

Administered by the American Quarter Horse Association, the Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship is granted for $8,000 to members from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Tennessee who compete in AQHA-approved show competitions. Qualified candidates must be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution, be participating in a four-year undergraduate degree program, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and demonstrate financial need.

Contact

AQHA Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship
2601 East Interstate 40
Amarillo, TX 79104
(806) 378-5029

https://aqhfoundation.smapply.io/res/p/Scholarship-Criteria/

3. Bird Dog Foundation College Scholarship Essay Contest

Deadline: April 15th

Established to promote interest in wildlife conservation, the Bird Dog Foundation College Scholarship Essay Contest is open to high school seniors from Tennessee, Mississippi, or Arkansas who are preparing to enter their freshmen year at any U.S. accredited institution. In order to be considered for the $1,500 first place prize, entrants must write an original 1,000-word essay on an assigned preservation topic with a cover sheet and at least five sources.

Contact

Bird Dog Foundation College Scholarship Essay Contest
505 West Highway 57
P.O. Box 774
Grand Junction, TN 38039
(731) 764-2058

4. Carter Ferguson Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 15th

At the University of Southern Mississippi, the Carter Ferguson Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually for $2,500 to recognize a junior-level student enrolled in general or senior Honors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Eligible native and legal residents of the state of Mississippi must have a declared non-teaching major in the Colleges of Science and Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Education and Psychology, Liberal Arts, or Business.

Contact

Carter Ferguson Memorial Scholarship
118 College Drive #5101
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
(601) 266-4774

5. Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 31st

Offered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, the Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program provides full tuition scholarships for junior and senior-level students at four-year Mississippi institutions who agree to work as a full-time K-12 classroom teacher upon graduation in a public school located in a critical teacher shortage area. Qualified candidates must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, be enrolled in a program leading to Class A teacher educator licensure, and pass the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test.

Contact

Critical Needs Teacher Scholarship Program
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

6. Dixie Boys Youth Baseball Scholarships

Deadline: February 1st

Annually, the Dixie Boys Youth Baseball League awards $2,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia who participated in a Dixie Youth Baseball program when 13 years old or younger. Along with an application, candidates must submit a statement from a local league official, parent's income tax return, and a personal statement outlining professional goals and extra-curricular involvement.

Contact

Dixie Boys Youth Baseball Scholarships
110 South Bolivar St. Suite 207
Marshall, TX 75671
(903) 927-2255

https://www.dixie.org/Page29.aspx

7. Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Scholarships

Deadline: March 1st

The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Scholarships are presented annually for up to $4,000 to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who are active members of a congregation of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Mississippi and are receiving a post-secondary education with an emphasis in the liberal arts. Selection for the awards is based on financial need, academic achievement, leadership in their church community, and community service involvement.

Contact

Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Scholarships
118 North Congress St.
P.O. Box 23107
Jackson, MS 39201
(601) 948-5954

8. Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 31st

For those who are currently employed full-time as a family protection worker, the Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Scholarship Program is designed to cover the full tuition costs of continuing education with a master's degree in social work at any CSWE-accredited state institution. Qualified applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and sign an agreement to work at least three years for the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

Contact

Family Protection Specialist Social Worker Scholarship Program
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997
i.edu

9. Georgia Ann Benard Hall Award of Excellence

Deadline: October 31st

Sponsored by the Mississippi Nurses Foundation, the Georgia Ann Benard Hall Award of Excellence is granted for $500 to African American students who are currently enrolled in good academic standing with junior or senior-level status in an accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at any Mississippi institution. Along with the completed application and a letter verifying school enrollment, candidates are asked to write a three-page essay on their role model of excellence.

Contact

Georgia Ann Benard Hall Award of Excellence
31 Woodgreen Place
Madison, MS 39110
(601) 898-0850

https://msnursesfoundation.com/scholarships/

10. Graduate Teacher, Counselor, and School Administration Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

Annually, the Graduate Teacher, Counselor, and School Administration Scholarship program from the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid awards up to $125 per graduate credit hour to Mississippi residents who are seeking a master's degree and Class AA educator licensure for fulfilling teaching, counseling, and administrative positions. Qualified candidates must be admitted in an eligible graduate school of education, hold Class A licensure, and be currently under contract as a full-time classroom teacher at an accredited public K-12 school in the state.

Contact

Graduate Teacher, Counselor, and School Administration Scholarship
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

11. Heart and Hand Scholarship for Gerontology Studies

Deadline: April 15th

Sponsored by the Caring Heart and Hands House Adult Daycare Center, the Heart and Hand Scholarship for Gerontology Studies is offered to Mississippi residents who live in the nine-county service area of Clarke, Jasper, Lauderdale, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott, and Smith counties. Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled in a health or human services degree program related to working with the elderly and possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Contact

Heart and Hand Scholarship for Gerontology Studies
1674 Highway 45 North Suite B
Saltillo, MS 38866
(662) 869-0061

12. Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students

Deadline: March 31st

Created by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, the Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP) for Needy Students program is designed to provide full tuition assistance to qualified students with unmet financial need for attending any certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree program in Mississippi. Qualified applicants must be legal Mississippi residents for at least two years, be within one year of high school graduation, have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and meet income limitations.

Contact

Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

13. James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 15th

Administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund offers $2,000 annually for up to four years to students from Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, or Tennessee who are pursuing a degree in the arts and sciences, music, ministry, or human services fields. Eligible candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be currently enrolled at an accredited institution, demonstrate financial need, and exhibit commitment to community service.

Contact

James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund
50 Hurt Plaza Suite 449
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 688-5525

https://www.cfgreateratlanta.org/grants-support/Scholarships/The-James-M-Virginia-M-Smyth-Scholarship-Fund.aspx

14. Louisiana-Mississippi GCSAA Scholars Competition

Deadline: November 5th

The Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) offers the Scholars Competition to recognize outstanding students who are currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate four or five-year program related to golf course management. Eligible applicants for the $2,000 award must be enrolled full-time at a Mississippi or Louisiana institution, have completed at least 24 credit hours, and show potential for professional contribution to the environmental and scientific developments of the field.

Contact

Louisiana-Mississippi GCSAA Scholars Competition
P.O. Box 80047
Starkville, MS 39759
(866) 656-4272

15. Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Scholarship Program

Deadline: May 1st

In order to encourage a higher standard of professionalism in the industry, the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Scholarship Program presents $4,000 awards annually to students who are enrolled full-time at any Mississippi community or four-year college within a fully accredited broadcasting or communications curriculum. Along with the application, candidates are expected to attach a certification form from a department chair, letter of recommendation from a broadcaster, and an essay on career goals.

Contact

Mississippi Association of Broadcasters Scholarship Program
855 South Pear Orchard Rd. Suite 403
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 957-9121

16. Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant

Deadline: September 15th

Established by the Mississippi Legislature, the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) program provides scholarships of up to $2,500 per academic year for financial aid assistance to residents attending state-approved public or non-profit four-year eligible institutions who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement. Qualified candidates are required to be enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and have scored a minimum ACT score of 29 or SAT score of 1290 for consideration.

Contact

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

17. Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship

Deadline: September 15th

The Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship covers the cost of tuition for up to eight semesters for dependent children and spouses of any Mississippi law enforcement officer, full-time firefighter, or volunteer firefighter who suffered fatal injuries or became permanently disabled as a result of injuries in the line of duty. Eligible candidates must be legal residents of Mississippi, be 23 years old or under, and be admitted as a full-time student at any state-supported institution.

Contact

Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

https://riseupms.com/state-aid/mleof/

18. Mississippi State Dental Education Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 31st

For those interested in becoming a dentist, the Mississippi State Dental Education Scholarship Program covers the full tuition costs of attending the School of Dentistry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center full-time for up to four academic years. Recipients must maintain satisfactory degree progress with good academic standing and be willing to sign a loan-to-service obligation for working as a licensed general dentist in an approved geographical shortage area of the state upon graduation.

Contact

Mississippi State Dental Education Scholarship Program
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

19. NACA Southeast Student Leadership Scholarships

Deadline: March 31st

Endowed by the former Southeast Regional Chapter of the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA), the Southeast Student Leadership Scholarships are awarded annually for $1,000 to full-time undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited institution in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Tennessee. Qualified applicants must demonstrate significant leadership skills, hold a leadership position on campus, and have made contributions to on or off-campus in volunteer services.

Contact

NACA Southeast Student Leadership Scholarships
13 Harbison Way
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 732-6222

20. Nissan Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

Annually, Nissan North America Inc. partners with the Mississippi Department of Higher Education to provide full tuition scholarships to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time at a Mississippi public community college or university with future plans for working in the automotive industry. Eligible candidates must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, have scored at least a 940 on the SAT, demonstrate financial need, and write a 200-word essay on automotive career interests.

Contact

Nissan Scholarship
359 North West St.
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205
(601) 359-3513

21. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Mississippi Scholarships

Deadline: April 30th

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society offers numerous scholarships for members who have successfully completed their studies at a Mississippi two-year community college and are interested in furthering their education with a bachelor's degree from any of the state's public or private four-year institutions. In order to qualify for the $1,500 scholarships, students must have attended a Mississippi high school, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and demonstrate leadership potential.

Contact

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Mississippi Scholarships
1625 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211
(800) 946-9995

22. Robert M. Carrier Scholarship

Deadline: February 1st

Among the Mid-South's oldest and most prestigious awards established to bring forth the state's future leaders, the University of Mississippi offers the Robert M. Carrier Scholarship for up to $40,000 for four years of undergraduate study to incoming freshmen enrolled full-time. Selection for the scholarship will be strongly based on academic record of excellence, leadership skills, financial need, community service involvement, and potential for becoming lifelong leaders for the future of Ole Miss.

Contact

Robert M. Carrier Scholarship
P.O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677
(662) 915-1164

23. SREB Osteopathy Scholarship Program

Deadline: March 31st

Designed to provide educational opportunities to students who wish to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and address Mississippi's healthcare shortage, the SREB Osteopathy Scholarship Program awards up to $5,000 annually to legal Mississippi residents enrolled full-time at an approved out-of-state SREB School of Osteopathic Medicine. In exchange for the funding for up to four years of graduate study, recipients must agree to practice osteopathic medicine full-time in Mississippi upon degree and residency completion.

Contact

SREB Osteopathy Scholarship Program
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

https://riseupms.com/state-aid/sreb-osteopathy/

24. Veterinary Medicine Minority Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

Within the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Mississippi State University, the Veterinary Medicine Minority Scholarship is granted annually for African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and American Indian students who wish to pursue a degree to become a veterinarian. Qualified candidates must be current legal residents of Mississippi, be accepted for enrollment full-time, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and agree to serve the animal citizens of Mississippi upon graduation.

Contact

Veterinary Medicine Minority Scholarship
240 Wise Center Drive
P.O. Box 6100
Mississippi State, MS 39762
(662) 325-3432

25. William Winter Teacher Scholars Award

Deadline: June 30th

Administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, the William Winter Teacher Scholars Award program presents $4,000 scholarships annually to current legal residents who are fully admitted as a junior or senior seeking a bachelor's degree leading to Class A standard teacher educator license with the intention to teach in Mississippi's K-12 public school system. Qualified applicants will be required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and earn a passing score on the Praxis I Basic Skills Test.

Contact

William Winter Teacher Scholars Award
3825 Ridgewood Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 432-6997

While the costs of tuition continue to steadily rise in Mississippi and beyond, more college-bound students are struggling to find sufficient funding to afford achieving their post-secondary educational goals without accumulating mountains of student loan debt. Luckily, these are just 25 of the numerous great scholarships in Mississippi that available to make college education more accessible and affordable to the residents of the "Hospitality State."