Current Student Scholarships

Current Student Scholarship Information

Mississippi State University offers scholarships and resources to help current students pay for college. Explore scholarship opportunities, learn about appeals, and find important information all in one place.

Federal financial aid, state financial aid, and/or scholarship recipients may not receive funds in excess of cost of attendance. The amount of your scholarships may be adjusted or canceled if you receive funds in excess of cost of attendance.

General Scholarship Application

Current students are encouraged to complete the General Scholarship Application each academic year while enrolled at Mississippi State University. The application allows students to be considered for a variety of private and departmental scholarship opportunities through one application.

Submit your application by the priority deadline listed below to receive full consideration for available scholarship opportunities. Completion of the application does not guarantee a scholarship award.

Important Dates

Review the important dates below to stay on track with scholarship applications and deadlines.

Date Details
October 1 General Scholarship Application opens
March 1 Priority submission date for current students

 

Need additional deadlines? Visit our full Financial Aid Calendar for a complete list of deadlines, processing timelines, and important dates.

Financial Aid Calendar

How to Apply for Scholarships

Follow these steps to apply for scholarships at Mississippi State University:

Step 1: Complete the General Scholarship Application

  • Log in to your myState account using your NetID and NetPassword.
  • Under Apps & Services, select Banner.
  • Select Student.
  • In the Financial Aid and Scholarships column, select Submit/Revise General Scholarship Application.
  • A new tab will open. Select Sign in With Your Institution.
  • Complete the General Scholarship Application if you are logging in for the first time.
  • Select Save to save your information. When you return to the application, your previously saved information will be available.

Step 3: Explore Additional Scholarship Opportunities

After you complete and submit the General Scholarship Application, you may receive recommendations for additional scholarship opportunities based on information such as your test scores, GPA, leadership and service activities, and applicant record.

New scholarship opportunities may become available over time. Log in regularly to review your account and check for new recommended opportunities. To receive maximum consideration, be sure to pay attention to priority dates and individual application deadlines.

Step 4: Monitor Your Email

Check your official Mississippi State University email regularly for scholarship notifications, requests for additional information, and other important communications.

Scholarship Requests and Appeals

Some students may need to submit a request related to their scholarship eligibility or requirements. Mississippi State University offers several request and appeal options based on a student's circumstances.

Review the available options to find the request or appeal that applies to your situation and learn how to submit it. 

View Scholarship Requests and Appeals

Explore Available Scholarships

Use the filters below to explore available scholarships and find opportunities that match your student status, academic interests, and eligibility criteria. Select the filters that apply to you to narrow your search and view scholarships for which you may be eligible. 

Be sure to also monitor the scholarship portal for additional opportunities.

Current Student Scholarships

Current Student Scholarships

No current student scholarships match your filter criteria.

Academic Common Market

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The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a tuition savings program allowing residents of a participating state to pursue specific academic degree programs not offered in their home states without having to pay non-resident tuition charges. 

Students who meet all requirements and are approved will receive a waiver that covers 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition.

Learn More About Academic Common Market

The Academic Common Market Wavier cannot be stacked with the Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, the Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, or the Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship.

Air Force ROTC Room and Board Scholarship

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Award Information

Awarded by the MSU Air Force ROTC Department. Cadets selected and amount awarded are based on commander discretion.

Award Criteria

  • Must be on an Air Force Scholarship
  • Must be in good standing with the Air Force ROTC program

For more information contact Air Force ROTC, (662) 325-3810 or email afrotc@afrotc.msstate.edu

Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship for Current Students

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Awarded to current non-resident students who are children of verified Mississippi State University alumni and have not previously received the Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship. Renewable annually provided student maintains an overall college GPA of 2.5 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at Mississippi State University).

You must be assessed non-resident tuition in order to receive the Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship. The Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with any programs that waive the non-resident charges, such as: Academic Common Market; Veteran, Service-Member, Dependent or Spouse Non-Resident Tuition Waiver; etc.

Up to $5,000 per year

GPA

2.50+

Award Criteria

  • Must be a current Mississippi State University student
  • Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5+ 
  • Must be a non-resident student
  • Must be the child of an Mississippi State University alumni
    • Qualifications for alumni status -received a degree from or completed a minimum of 48 hours towards a degree at Mississippi State University
    • Alumni status must be verified by the Mississippi State University Office of the Registrar 
  • This scholarship is not automatically awarded. If you meet the eligibility criteria above, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.

Army ROTC Room and Board Scholarship

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Award Information

Awarded by the MSU Army ROTC Department. Cadets selected and amount awarded are based on commander discretion.

Award Criteria

  • Must be on an Army Scholarship
  • Must be in good standing with the Army ROTC program

For more information contact Army ROTC, (662) 325-3503

Departmental and College Scholarships

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Departments and colleges within the university administer their own departmental scholarship programs. Students who have chosen a major are encouraged to contact the department in their major areas of study regarding scholarship opportunities.

The General Scholarship Application (GSA) and each departmental scholarship application will open on October 1. The priority date for entering freshmen to submit these scholarship applications is December 1. The priority date for entering transfer students and current MSU students is March 1. It is also recommended that students submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by their respective scholarship priority date.

More information regarding departmental scholarships can be found by visiting the websites below.

E.H. Sumners Foundation Scholarship

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Awarded to residents of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster counties in Mississippi who have submitted the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application and whose residency has been verified by the E.H. Sumners Foundation. Students must also meet the Mississippi State University requirements as listed below. 

Submit the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application

Application Deadlines
  • Fall Entry and Current Students: September 15
  • Spring Entry Students: February 15

Award Information

Awarded on a yearly basis. The award amount is based on funds available and varies from year to year.

Award Criteria

  • Entering Freshmen:
    • Must have a minimum 9th-11th grade GPA of 2.5+
    • Must be a permanent resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster counties in Mississippi
    • Must submit the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application by the specified deadline and be approved by the E.H. Sumners Foundation
    • Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester at Mississippi State University
  • Current Students/Entering Transfers:
    • Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5+
    • Must be a permanent resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster counties in Mississippi
    • Must submit the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application by the specified deadline and be approved by the E.H. Sumners Foundation
    • Must be meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements, as defined by federal regulation, and remaining in good standing with Mississippi State University
    • Must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester at Mississippi State University
  • Graduate Students
    • Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5+
    • Must be a permanent resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, or Webster counties in Mississippi
    • Must submit the E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application by the specified deadline and be approved by the E.H. Sumners Foundation
    • Must be meeting satisfactory academic progress requirements, as defined by federal regulation, and remaining in good standing with Mississippi State University
    • Must be enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester at Mississippi State University

Disclosures

  • Undergraduate students may receive this award for a maximum of 8 undergraduate semesters. Graduate students may receive this award for a maximum of 4 graduate semesters
  • Only awarded during a fall or spring semester. May not be awarded during a summer semester

The E.H. Sumners Endowed Scholarship Application must be submitted each academic year regardless of student type. 

External Scholarship Opportunities

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Helpful Tips on Finding External Scholarship Opportunities

External scholarship money is available to students of all qualifications, abilities, and interests. These external scholarships may be provided by private donors, foundations, businesses, and many other sources outside of Mississippi State University. Here are a few helpful tips for finding scholarships that are right for you:

  1. Contact your high school guidance counselor: If you’re a high school student, speak to your high school guidance counselor about options that are specific to your interests and intended major.
  2. Avoid paying for scholarship services: External scholarship applications should be free for students to complete. Should you have any questions, reach out to your high school guidance counselor or the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at MSU.
  3. Think Outside the Box: Search for scholarships that may be offered by a parent or legal guardian’s employer, civic clubs, and local community. Corporations may also offer scholarships to children of their employees.
  4. Contact the MSU Sponsored Students Office: All external scholarships should be sent to the Sponsored Students Office.
  5. Use scholarship search and matching websites: Other scholarship resources can be found by using scholarship search and matching websites. A list of these resources is below

Understanding Scholarships and Avoiding Scams

  1. Read the fine print and understand all terms and conditions before accepting any award
  2. Avoid companies or organizations that "guarantee" you a scholarship
  3. Never provide confidential or personally identifiable information such as social security number until you have been awarded a scholarship
  4. Talk to the Mississippi State University Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you are unsure about a scholarship
  5. Check the privacy policy of scholarship websites to make sure your information is protected
  6. Learn more about scholarship scams at the Federal Trade Commission website - Click Here

External Scholarship Application Tips

  1. Start your search early and conduct as much research as you can. Apply for every scholarship that you are eligible for
  2. Follow all directions and provide everything that is requested, but no more than is required. Pay attention to specific instructions on the application
  3. Make note of any deadlines and mark your calendar. Missing a deadline immediately takes you out of the running for scholarships!
  4. Be neat when applying for scholarships. Be sure to prepare your application carefully and review it thoroughly before submitting
  5. Make a list of all activities and honors and be sure to highlight those accomplishments that are relevant to the scholarship
  6. Never be afraid to ask for help! Unless the scholarship organization prohibits it, you should ask questions if there's something you need clarified
  7. Make a strong impression in your essays. Tell a story and use personal examples and be sure to explain how the scholarship will help you
  8. Select references that know you well and give them plenty of time to write a recommendation
  9. Review your application and ask someone else to proof and edit it to catch any typos or missing words

National Service Scholarship

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$1,000 ($500 per semester)

ACT

20+

SAT

1030+

GPA

3.00+

Award Information

Awarded by the MSU Army ROTC/Air Force ROTC Departments

Award Criteria

  • Must be a first or second year cadet and meet all criteria to be "enrolled," as defined by the Army/Air Force ROTC program and enrolled in ROTC classes.
  • Must have a minimum 20 ACT or a 1030 SAT
  • Must not currently be the recipient of an Army or Air Force Scholarship
  • Must be a US citizen
  • Must meet service age requirements
  • Must meet service height/weight requirements
  • Must pass Army/Air Force Service Physical Fitness Test by second semester
  • Must pass DoD medical exam by third semester

Non-Resident Fee Waiver for West Alabama Counties

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Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus received approval in 2013 from the Institutions of Higher Learning to waive nonresident charges for Alabama residents in six Alabama counties; Sumter, Greene, Choctaw, Hale, Marengo, and Clarke. Please contact the MSU Meridian Office of Student Services for more details at 601-484-0234.

Only offered to students enrolled at the Mississippi State University Meridian campus. Starkville campus students do not qualify for this waiver.

Performance and Service Scholarships

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The Department of Art, Department of Music, Choral Activities, Famous Maroon Band, and Spirit Squads may offer scholarships to Mississippi State University students. The amounts of these awards vary and are determined by the awarding department.  

An audition or portfolio showing may be required to be considered for these awards. Contact the appropriate department or program for more information.

Privately Funded Awards

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The Mississippi State University Foundation oversees nearly 2,000 privately-funded scholarships housed in our various academic colleges and departments. You can maximize your consideration for these awards by completing your General Scholarship Application, as well as any applications recommended to you within our online scholarship portal which can be found by logging into your myState account.

Many of our Alumni Association's local chapters provide scholarships to students from their local communities. These chapter scholarships are awarded to select students to receive one-year awards based on outstanding leadership and academic records. For a list of alumni chapters/alumni chapter scholarships and how to apply through your myState account, please visit the Mississippi State University Alumni Association Website.

Study Abroad Scholarship for Current Students

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Competitive scholarship awarded to select current Mississippi State University students who submit the Study Abroad Scholarship Application before the specified deadline for the term in which your study abroad program takes place.

Learn More About Study Abroad at MSU

$2,000 one-time award

GPA

3.00+

Award Information

The one-time scholarship award may be used to offset the cost of an affiliated undergraduate study abroad program at Mississippi State University after a student's successful completion of their first year.

Application cycles vary based on the term of your study abroad program. Review the table below to determine when you can apply and the application deadline.

Program Term Application Opens Application Deadline
Spring and Spring Break October 1 December 1
Summer February 1 April 1
Fall and Winter May 1 September 1

 

Award Criteria

  • Must have an overall GPA of 3.0+
  • Must submit the General Scholarship Application
  • Must submit the Study Abroad Scholarship Application for Current Students in the scholarship portal by the specified deadline for the term in which your study abroad program takes place

Submission of the Study Abroad Scholarship Application for Current Students does not guarantee a scholarship award.

Veteran, Service-Member, Dependent, Spouse, Non-Resident Tuition Waiver

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Veterans, Service-members, Dependents, Survivors and Spouses will receive a waiver that covers 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition. 

Learn More about the Military Non-Resident Waiver

Award Criteria

Must be a veteran, service-member or dependent/spouse of a veteran/service-member of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veteran must have a "Honorable Discharge". A "General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions" DOES NOT qualify.

 

The Veteran, Service-Member, Dependent, Spouse, Non-Resident Tuition Waiver cannot be stacked with the Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, the Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship, or the Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship.

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