Paying for School
Paying for your education can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to figure it out alone. We're here to help you understand your options and make confident financial decisions.
From financial aid and scholarships to guidance on campus resources, this page offers helpful information to support you every step of the way.
Steps to Find Aid
Whether you're looking into scholarships, grants, work-study programs, or other forms of financial aid, these steps can help you stay organized and make sure you don't miss any valuable opportunities.
Step 1: FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Submit the FAFSA
Step 2: State Aid
If you're a Mississippi resident, complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP).
Step 3: MSU General Scholarship Application
Complete the MSU General Scholarship Application and your departmental application (if applicable) through your myState portal.
Step 4: External Scholarships
Research and apply for other scholarships outside of Mississippi State. These may be offered by a parent or legal guardians employer, civic clubs, and local community. Other scholarship resources can be found using scholarship search and matching websites.
Explore External Scholarship Opportunites
Step 5: Repeat Yearly
Repeat this process every year to maximize your opportunities. We also recommend that you complete these applications ASAP, so plan ahead and mark your calendar for when they open.
Financial Aid Opportunities
Students can apply for federal financial aid opportunities through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students only need to submit the FAFSA once per school year. You can submit the FAFSA each year starting on October 1.
Types of Federal Aid
Grants: Money that does not need to be repaid.
Loans: Borrowed money that must be repaid usually with interest.
Work-Study: Part-time employment to help cover education costs.
Students who do not qualify for federal financial aid, or who need additional funds beyond what federal aid can provide, have an option of applying for an alternative (private) educational loans. Alternative loans are generally more expensive, therefore should only be considered if absolutely necessary. In most cases, the student applicant's credit and/or co-signer's credit must be approved by the lender. The eligible loan amount can be no greater than the cost of attendance minus all other estimated financial aid.
State aid is financial aid provided by the state of Mississippi to qualifying Mississippi residents. To apply for state financial aid, students can submit the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP). Students need to submit the MAAPP once per school year. You can submit the MAAPP each year starting on October 1.
Scholarship Opportunities
Students can submit the General Scholarship Application (GSA) to be considered for competitive, private, and departmental scholarships. You can complete the GSA each academic year while a student at MSU. You can submit the GSA each year starting on October 1. The priority date for entering freshmen is December 1 while the priority date for entering transfer students and current MSU students is March 1.
Other Opportunities
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. The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) coordinates the ACM program for the fifteen participating states, which include, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Caroline, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Florida and Texas only participate in the program at the graduate level.
Veterans, Service-Members, Dependents, Survivors and Spouses may receive a waiver that covers the non-resident portion of tuition.
Payment plans are available to allow you to spread payments through scheduled monthly installments.