Quick Highlights:
- There are many scholarships to help students in Mississippi afford college without heavy loans.
- Scholarships have varied requirements, including specific colleges, majors, and community service.
- Financial need, academic performance, and leadership often factor into scholarship eligibility.
- Applying early and meeting criteria can maximize scholarship opportunities.
Mississippi residents making their college decisions should not have to worry about how they are going to pay for their education. As with all the states, there are grants and student loans available. However, grants do not always offer much support financially, and no one wants to worry about paying back thousands of dollars in student loans.
Fortunately, there are many scholarship opportunities available in Mississippi. We have listed 35 scholarships below that range in requirements from certain colleges, particular majors, and even community service. We hope this list helps you in your search.
1. Byron Keith Mallett, Jr. Scholarship
This award is open to graduates of Lake Cormorant High School. If there are no applicants from the school, the award will go to a graduate of a Desoto County public school. Considerations include being a resident of Desoto County, a 3.0 GPA, and financial need. Applicants must also submit an essay describing their faith and plans. This award pays $500. The recipient must maintain a 3.0.
2. Ann Wesson Memorial Scholarship
This award is presented by the Junior Auxiliary. Applicants must live in the Biloxi/Ocean Springs area. They must have attended one of the following high schools: Biloxi, D’lberville, Ocean Springs, St. Martin, St. Patrick Catholic, or Vancleave. Applicants must also submit ACT/SAT scores and have an excellent academic record. This $500-$2000 award is also based on community service and the applicant’s essay.
3. Rotary Club of Jackson Mentor Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Jackson formed this scholarship to help potential future leaders of Mississippi but who lacked sufficient means to continue their education. Applicants must score at least 18 on the ACT, have a 3.0 GPA, and their family’s combined income must be less than $60,000. They must submit a 350-word essay, transcript, and three letters of recommendation-one must be from a teacher explaining the applicant’s character, potential, personality, initiative, and activities.
Top candidates will be scheduled for interviews. The recipient must maintain a 2.5 GPA, attend full-time, perform community service, and communicate with their rotary mentor.
4. APWA Scholarship Fund
The Mississippi Chapter of American Public Works Association provides this award to a junior or senior attending a public university in MS studying to enter public works.
Municipal or county government agencies oversee projects such as road building, lot clearing, storm water retention, street lights, and reviewing construction sites. Jobs overseeing these projects usually include a degree in engineering.
Applicants seeking civil engineering, electrical engineering, public administration, environmental engineering, biology, or chemistry are eligible to apply. The award is based on merit and need. Applicants should submit a Scholarship Selection/Certification Form, application, transcript, and one letter of recommendation.
5. Dave Cannada Memorial Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was funded in memory of Dave Cannada for recent graduates of Murrah High School. Applicants must plan to attend a 4-year college in Mississippi. A GPA of 3.0 is required along with an ACT composite score of 25. The applicant must demonstrate strong leadership skills through athletics, church or mission services, and/or civic/student government. The amount is for $5000 and is also based on need.
6. Mississippi State University General Scholarships-Freshman
Incoming freshmen at MSU are eligible to apply for some scholarships available. Requirements include a 3.0 GPA and a score of 20 on the ACT or 940 on the SAT. Recipients must attend full-time with 12 credit hours per semester. They must maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain in good standing. The amounts vary and are also based on financial need.
7. Mississippi State Sharp Academic Scholarship
One of many department scholarships available at MSU is the Sharp Academic Scholarship. The award is $3000 per year for students majoring in forestry. Applicants must have an outstanding academic record and excellent ACT/SAT scores.
8. Accounting Excellence Scholarship
Applicants attending Mississippi State University and planning to attend the Adkerson School of Accounting are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a 3.5 GPA and an ACT score of 26. They must also declare PACC/pre-accounting as a major. The award is $2500 per year.
9. Sumners Scholarship
Undergraduates attending MSU full-time are eligible to attend. The award is open to residents of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, and Webster Counties. The $2000 per year award is based on academic record and financial need. Interested students should submit a Sumners Application by the deadline and submit a General Scholarship Application.
10. Swalm Brookhaven Scholarship
This generous $5000 per year scholarship is awarded to 20 Brookhaven High School graduates and 5 Brookhaven Academy graduates per year. Applicants must be incoming freshmen with a 3.0 GPA. They must attend full-time and pursue a technical degree. The award is also based on financial need. Recipients must maintain a 3.0. Students interested should submit a General Scholarship Application in addition to applying for the scholarship.
11. MSU Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship
Incoming freshmen who graduated as valedictorian or salutatorian of their high school are eligible. The award pays $1500 per year for valedictorians and $1000 per year for salutatorians. Applicants must submit a General Scholarship Application and a letter of verification from a high school guidance counselor, principal, or another school official.
12. 4-H Academic Scholarship
Entering freshmen who are active 4-H members are eligible to apply. Requirements include a 3.0 GPA, ACT score of 20 or SAT score of 940, and a letter of participation from the county 4-H representative or state office. This one-time award is for $500 or $250 per semester. Students who were named outstanding 4-Her by their county representative will receive an additional $1000. Interested students must also submit a General Scholarship Application in addition to the 4-H scholarship application.
13. MSU Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship
MSU offers scholarships to incoming freshmen based on academics. The awards are divided into four categories based on ACT scores and increase with GPA.
Students with an ACT score of 20-26 or SAT score of 940-1200 and a GPA of 3.0-3.49 are eligible for $1000/year; a GPA of 3.5 and above can receive $1500-$2000/year.
Students with an ACT score of 27-29 or SAT score of 1210-1320 and a GPA of 3.0-3.49 can receive $2000-$2500/year; a GPA of 3.5 and above can receive $3500-$4000/year.
Students with an ACT score of 30-32 or SAT score of 1330-1430 and a GPA of 3.0-3.49 can receive $4000/year; a GPA of 3.5 and above can receive $4500-$5000/year.
Students with an ACT score of 33-36 or SAT score of 1440-1600 and a GPA of 3.0-3.49 can receive $5000-$6500/year; a GPA of 3.5 and above can receive $6000-$7500.
14. Cheryl Prewitt Vocal Scholarship
Students attending MSU with high school music achievement are eligible to apply. The award varies and is based on music aptitude, academics, and outstanding character. Preference is shown to majors in music. Academic record and financial need are also considered. Along with this scholarship application, students must submit a General Scholarship Application.
15. Mary Loraine Peets Buffett Scholarship
Female-entering freshmen attending the University of Southern Mississippi are eligible to apply. The generous $5000 award is renewable for four years. Applicants must plan to major within the College of Arts and Letters and submit an essay or other work demonstrating student’s creativity. A GPA of 3.0 is also required.
16. Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholarship
Incoming freshmen attending any of Mississippi’s universities or community colleges are eligible to apply. The $8000/year scholarship is awarded to 5 students per year. The applicant must plan to major in business, manufacturing, mathematics, or other programs found to support the product. A GPA of 3.0 is required. Other considerations include financial need, academic excellence, community service, and leadership record.
17. Student Body President Scholarship
Entering freshmen attending the University of Mississippi who served as president of their high school student body or student council are eligible. The award is also based on financial need and academic record. Applicants must submit documentation showing they were the student body/student council president to the Office of Financial Aid. The award is for $1500 per year.
18. Child of Faculty and Staff Scholarship
Applicants whose parents are part of the University of Mississippi’s faculty or staff are eligible to apply. Parents must be a permanent, full-time employee. One-half of tuition costs per semester is covered by this award. If a student’s parent has been employed since before 1977, the tuition is paid in full.
19. Christine and Clarence Day Business Scholarship
Freshmen entering the University of Mississippi pursuing a degree in business are eligible for this award. The scholarship is incredibly generous of $10,000 per year. Applicants must have an outstanding academic and leadership record. They must also submit the Special Programs and Scholarship Application found at the following link in addition to the application for this scholarship.
20. Roger and Susie Friou Scholarship
Ole Miss entering freshmen and transfer students are eligible to apply. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in accounting. They must also have a strong academic and leadership record. The award is for $3000 per year. Interested students should also submit a Special Programs and Scholarship Application in addition to this scholarship application.
21. Penelope W. and E. Roe Stamps IV Leadership Scholarship
Ole Miss entering freshmen with exceptional academic and leadership records are eligible to apply. The award covers the cost of attendance after other awards are used. The scholarship also includes a $12,000 stipend for research, studying abroad, or enrichment pursuits. Interested students should also submit a Special Programs and Scholarship Application in addition to this application.
22. W. R. Newman Scholarship
This generous award of $10,000 per year has a very selective award process including an excellent academic and leadership record. Applicants must be entering freshmen attending the University of Mississippi. A Special Programs and Scholarship Application must be included with the following application.
23. Henry C. Brevard, Jr. Engineering Scholarship
Entering freshmen and transfer students attending Ole Miss are eligible to apply. They must be pursuing a degree in engineering or computer science. Considerations include academic record and financial need. The $6000 award is given to 2 students annually. A Special Programs and Scholarship Application must also be submitted.
24. Lyceum Scholar Award
Transferring students from a Mississippi community college with at least 48 transferable credits are eligible to apply. They must have a 3.0 GPA and an exemplary record of leadership and community service. Applicants must plan to attend full-time for two years. The award pays $7644/year. A complete Community College Transfer Scholarship application must also be completed.
25. MS Community College Advantage Scholarship
MS community college students transferring to Ole Miss are eligible to apply. They must have at least 48 transferable credit hours, a 2.5 GPA, and be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. The applicant’s family’s adjusted gross income cannot exceed $30,000. 25-$4000/year awards are given annually. Applicants must also complete the Community College Scholarship Application.
26. Bledsoe Scholarship
Freshmen entering Ole Miss meeting the following ACT & GPA guidelines are eligible to apply. Applicants must also complete the Scholarship tab within the Special Programs, and Scholarship Application link is included with this scholarship link below.
GPA must be 3.5 or higher for these scholarships. The amounts are divided by ACT scores. Scores of 24-25 are eligible for $1500/year. Scores of 26-27 are eligible for $1600/year. Scores of 28-29 are available for $1700/year. Scores of 30-31 are eligible for $1900/year. Dozens of 31-33 are available for $2700/year.
27. Luckyday Scholarship
This award is available to any MS University entering freshman. Requirements include a 20 ACT score or 940 SAT score and a 3.2 GPA. It covers remaining financial need up to $5000 after other awards are in place. Considerations include grades, test scores, financial need, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, and a Luckyday essay. 75 students are chosen for this award. Some colleges require an additional scholarship application such as the University of Mississippi; applicants must complete the Special Programs and Scholarship Application.
28. Croft Scholarship
Freshmen entering Ole Miss interested in majoring in International Studies are eligible to apply. They must have an excellent academic record and strong leadership skills. Considerations also include financial need and community activities. A Special Programs and Scholarship Application must also be submitted.
29. John Robert Boswell Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established by the parents of John Boswell in his memory, this one-time $1000 award is given to an outstanding senior majoring in chemical engineering at Ole Miss. The recipient must attend full-time and not belong to a fraternity or sorority.
30. Harrison Clark Scholarship Awards Fund
Madison Central High graduates planning to attend a 2 or 4-year MS college are eligible to apply. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required, and applicants must have scored at least in the 60th percentile on college admission exams. This one time award of $1000 is based on the applicant’s merit. Preference is given to Madison Central High Band members.
31. Anthony “Tony” Gobar Juvenile Justice Scholarship Fund
Full-time upcoming juniors or seniors attending a university in MS are eligible to apply. The $1200 award is based on merit and need. The applicant must be studying criminal justice, counseling, or political science and show interest in working in juvenile justice or a related field. Applicant must show a strong commitment to community and public service. A GPA of 2.5 is required, and financial need must be demonstrated. Additional requirements include submitting the Scholarship Selection/Certification Form, a transcript, activities sheet, and letters of recommendation.
32. Aura Neely-Gary Memorial Scholarship Fund
Ms. Gary’s family wanted to honor her memory by providing a college scholarship to a person whose secondary school education may have been interrupted for various reasons or those facing financial need. $2000 annually is given to a male or female planning to further their education in Mississippi. Merit and financial need are considered. Preference is given to those who desire to resume their education after personal difficulties. Special consideration is given to young women who had dropped out of school and are now trying to earn an education. Along with the Scholarship Selection/Certification Form, applicants must also submit a transcript, financial form, activities sheet, and a letter of recommendation.
33. Bill Hunsberger Scholarship Fund
This scholarship rotates annually among the universities his daughters attended. The $2000 award is given one year to a junior or senior female student studying journalism at the University of Southern MS, the next year to a junior or senior female student studying journalism at the University of Mississippi, and the next year to a junior or senior female student studying political science who is also involved with student media at the University of Mississippi. The award is also based on merit and financial need.
34. Miriam Scarborough Scholarship
Females attending any school in MS are eligible to apply. Requirements include an ACT score of 24 or SAT score of 1100 and a 2.5 GPA. Applicants should also submit a leadership resume from grades 10-12 including church, school, or community. A statement of financial need and an itemized expense sheet for the school year should also be submitted. Award amounts vary.
35. Young Farmer Scholarship Association
Four $3000 scholarships are awarded to Farm Bureau member students studying agriculture. Considerations include financial need, leadership qualities, and academic record. Available for any Mississippi College, two awards are reserved for entering freshmen, and the other two are for sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.
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