Federal Pell Grant

Direct non-repayable grant from the federal government to the student; who are enrolled at least half time (6 hours). The amount of the award is based on information from the FAFSA. The maximum award for the 2008-2009 academic years is $4,731.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

These grants are available to eligible students in the amounts of $100 to $4000 per academic year. Priority consideration will be given to students who FAFSA is filed by March 2nd and supplemental documents are submitted by October 1st. The priority group of eligible students EFC (estimated family contribution) is 0. After October 1st, eligible applicants with EFC between 0 – 3850 will be evaluated on a case by case basis and awarded based on need.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

An Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a federal grant offered to first and second year students who meet certain criteria. The student must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant, be an U.S. citizen, enrolled in a four-year degree program, enrolled full time, and if a first-year student they must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study on or after January 1st. If a second-year student they must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study on or after January 1st. A first-year student can receive up to $750. A second-year student can receive up to $1,300 if they meet the above criteria as well as have a 3.0 GPA after their first year. The U.S. Department of Education will notify students who submit the FAFSA and are potentially eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant. The student will be directed to a website where they will complete a self-certification process. The school will receive the results. The school will award and notify eligible students.

Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

A SMART Grant is a federal grant offered to third and fourth year students who meet certain criteria. The student must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant, be an U.S. citizen, enrolled in a four-year degree program, enrolled full time, pursing a major in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language and have a 3.0 GPA. Third and fourth-year students can receive up to $4,000 per year. The school will award and notify eligible students.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

In general, the Federal TEACH Grant Program provides financial assistance, through the federal student aid program, to students while attending college, majoring in an academic program that will allow them to teach in high need subject area, as highly qualified teachers, at Title I (low income serving) elementary or secondary schools in the United States. The law identifies the following as high-need subject areas for purposes of the Teach Grant Program: Bilingual education; English language Acquisition; Foreign language; Mathematics; Reading specialist; Science; Special Education and another field documented as high-need by the Federal government, a State government, or a Local Education Agency, and approved by the Secretary.

What you need to know before you get a TEACH Grant
https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/images/gen/factsheet.pdf

To complete agreement go to:
https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action

Department’s annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing at:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/tsa.doc

A list of schools serving low-income families is:
https://www.tcli.ed.gov/CBSWebApp/tcli/TCLIPubSchoolSearch.jsp

Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)

The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) offers financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. Entering freshman must have a 2.5 high school grade point average and a 15 ACT score as well as meet other eligibility requirements as listed on the MTAG application. Currently enrolled students must have a 2.5 GPA as well as meet other eligibility requirements as listed on application. The amount for the 2008-2009 award years will be determined by the level of funding available not to exceed an annual award of $500 for freshmen and sophomores or a $1,000 for juniors and seniors. If you would like to apply for this grant, please contact the Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid at (1-800-327-2980) and request an application.

 Apply for MTAG

Application deadline is September 15.

Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)

The program requirements below should not be considered as the only requirements for participation in this program. The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) offers financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state approved public and nonprofit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. Entering freshman must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 after a minimum of seven semesters in high school. Students already in college and non-residents are not eligible to apply. To apply for renewal, all continuing participants must, exhibit satisfactory academic progress as established by the institution; maintain minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 (evaluated each year) and renew the application each year.

MESG awards may be up to $2,500.00 per academic year, but may not exceed tuition and required fees from attending the institution. No student may receive an MESG for longer than the equivalent semester or trimesters required to complete one certificate, one associate degree, one bachelor’s degree or eight semesters (12 trimesters) whichever comes first.

 Apply for MESG

Application deadline is September 15.

William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan (WWTS)

The William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan is available to the student who:

• Is a junior or senior student at a Mississippi college or university. A limited number of awards may be available to freshmen and sophomores should funds be available.
  
  
• Is a resident of Mississippi.
  
  
• Can verify the intention to pursue a first baccalaureate's degree in teacher education.
  
  
• Can document that Praxis I has been passed or that applicant is exempt from this requirement.
  
  
• Agrees to employment immediately upon degree completion as a former classroom teacher in a public school in the State of Mississippi.
  
  
• Enrolls full-time.
  
  

High school senior applicant must meet the requirements listed above and these academic requirements:

• Have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.0.
  
  
• Have scored 21 on the ACT (national testing).
  
  

Other first-time applicants must meet the requirements listed above (excluding the high school senior requirements and this academic requirement:

• Have achieved a 2.5 grade point average on all college course work that has previously taken.
  
  

Renewal: All continuing participants must:

• Remain enrolled full-time
  
  
• Exhibit satisfactory academic progress as established by the institution throughout the normal time required to complete the teacher education curriculum. For WWTS, the normal time required will be determine when the student began the teacher education curriculum.
  
  
• Achieve a minimum 2.5 grade point average each semester.
  
  
• Successfully complete a minimum of 24 credit hours each year.
  
  
• Document that Praxis II has been passed after no more than three semesters of WWTS participation.
  
  
• Renew the application each year.
  

The loan to service obligation can be discharged on the basis of one year’s service for one year of loan received. Teaching service is defined as being employed as a full-time classroom teacher in a Mississippi public school. Applicants for WWTS should not apply for CNTP.

Award amount and length of eligibility: Freshmen and sophomore participants are eligible to receive up to $1, 000.00 per year. Junior and Senior participants are eligible to receive up to $3,000 per year. Eligible participants may continue to receive funds for the normal time required to complete the teacher education curriculum. Maximum eligibility is $8000.00 for a freshman participants who remains eligible for four years per eight (8) semesters. Maximum eligibility for the participant is one (1) year, two (2) semesters or $3,000.

Application deadline is March 31.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) is available to the student who:

• Is a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  
  
• Is a Mississippi resident
  
  
• Applies for federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA)
  
  
• Demonstrates needs as determined by the results of the Free Application Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  
  
• Is enrolled as a regular full-time student at a Mississippi college or university
  
  
• Has a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent

Renewal: All continuing participants must:

• Exhibits satisfactory academic progress as established by the institution throughout the normal time required to complete the program of student curriculum.
  
  
• Renew the application (FAFSA) each year
  
  

Award amount and length of eligibility varies.