Financial Aid

Many Mississippi State University students receive various types of financial aid to help pay the costs associated with attending college. The following information is provided to inform students and their families of the estimated costs of attending MSU, the types of financial aid available to help pay these costs, some of the general aid eligibility requirements, and the aid application procedures. The information contained in this section is accurate as this document went to print. Please visit our Web site at www.sfa.msstate.edu for further information and updates.

Student Expenses - The Cost of Attending MSU - 2020-21

The following list of basic university expenses covers those for a full-time, undergraduate student living on or off campus for a nine month academic year. Note: These costs are average costs.

Financial Aid

Starkville/Main Campus	Planned Expenses
Tuition and Fees	$8,910.00
Books and Supplies	$1,200.00
Room and Board	$10,435.00
Personal and Transportation	$5,356.00
Total (Mississippi Resident)	$25,901.00
Non-Resident Total	$40,941.00 (Additional fees - $15,040)

Sources of Financial Aid

Federal Sources of Financial Aid Programs are “need based” or “non need based” as determined by the federally mandated needs analysis formula.

A. Federal Sources of Financial Aid

1. Pell Grants - A federal student aid program designed to provide a foundation of gift aid to students who demonstrate financial need. All undergraduate students enrolled for their first undergraduate degree are eligible to apply for Pell Grants. Pell Grants awards for the 2020-2021 year ranged from $649 to a maximum of $6,345. Depending on Congressional allocations, Pell Grant amounts may change each year.
2. Federal Work-Study - A program of part-time employment for students who demonstrate financial need. Eligible students may work up to 16 hours per week during regular school sessions.
3. Stafford (subsidized and unsubsidized) Student Loans - Long-term loans provided by the U.S. Department of Education for students who need assistance in meeting educational expenses. Subsidized loans are based upon financial need. Unsubsidized loans are not based upon financial need.
4. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - A federally sponsored program to provide gift aid for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Funds are limited. Apply early each year.
5. Federal Direct Plus Loans - Plus Loans are credit loans for parents of dependent students and for graduate/professional students. Eligible parents may borrow on behalf of their eligible dependent student and eligible graduate/professional students may borrow for themselves. Plus Loans are non-need based in that borrowers may request funds to cover the student's unmet cost of attendance.

B. Institutional Sources of Financial Aid

1. Mississippi State Promise - Mississippi State University offers the Mississippi State Promise program that provides institutional financial assistance for entering freshmen and community college transfer students from Mississippi who are from families that are Pell Grant eligible. Please refer to the Student Financial Aid Web site at www.sfa.msstate.edu for details.
2. Undergraduate Tuition Remission Policy for Children of Faculty and Staff - The partial tuition remission policy applies to all single dependent children of full time faculty and staff. See tuition remission policy for any restrictions that may apply.
3. Emergency Short-Term Loans - The University has available for students a means of borrowing small sums of money to meet emergency expenses during the academic year. Such loans are repayable during the same semester in which the loan is made. Application is made to the Dept. of Student Financial Aid.

C. Institutional Sources of Scholarships

Mississippi State University has a variety of academic scholarships including scholarships for National Merit  and overall academic excellence. These scholarships require a competitive ACT/SAT score and an above average high school GPA.  Leadership and Service Scholarships are also available to students who have excellent leadership and service activities.

Scholarship amounts are competitive and awarded on a funds-available basis. 

Admission to the university is required for all scholarships.  To be considered for competitive and private scholarships, a general scholarship application must be submitted.

1. Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarships – Mississippi State University has a variety of academic scholarships for National Merit finalists and semi-finalists, and overall academic excellence. These scholarships require at least a 3.0 scholarship GPA (9-11 grade) and minimum 20 ACT (SAT equivalent). Students must maintain continuous full time enrollment and at least a 3.0 overall GPA to renew scholarships.
2. Non-Resident Tuition Scholarships – Non-resident freshmen who have at least a 3.0 scholarship GPA (9-11 grade) and minimum 22 ACT (SAT equivalent). The non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may be combined with the Freshman Academic excellence Scholarship. Students must maintain continuous full time enrollment and at least a 3.0 overall GPA to renew scholarships.
3. Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarships – Non-resident freshmen who are sons and daughters of alumni.  The minimum qualification for alumni status is 48 semester hours of work completed at MSU.  Student must have a minimum 3.0 scholarship GPA (9-11 grade). The Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may be combined with the Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship for students with a minimum ACT of 22 (SAT equivalent). Students must maintain continuous full time enrollment and at least a 3.0 overall GPA to renew scholarships.
4. Level one Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded to non-resident students who have completed at least 48 transferable hours from the community/junior college and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA as computed by MSU.
5. Level two Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship – This scholarship is awarded to non-resident students who have completed 24-47 transferable hours from the community/junior college and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA as computed by MSU.
6. Leadership and Service Scholarships – MSU offers a variety of Leadership and Service Scholarships including Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Eagle Scout, Gold Award, Key Club, etc.  Verification letters or other supporting documentation are required.
7. Departmental Scholarships – Colleges and Departments within the university offer scholarships designed to assist students majoring in a specific discipline.  Most are competitively awarded and renewable.  Students who have a chosen major are encouraged to contact the department in their major areas of study regarding scholarship opportunities.
8. Sumners Scholarships are available to permanent residents of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery and Webster counties in Mississippi.  A Sumners Scholarship Application must be submitted by September 15.

D. State and Other Sources of Financial Aid

1. Army/Air Force ROTC Four-Year Scholarships - Scholarships available to students interested in commissions as officers in either the Army or the Air Force. Scholarships are based on ACT scores and high school grades, not financial need. Visit the following Web pages for further information. Army ROTC: http://armyrotc.msstate.edu. Air Force: www.msstate.edu/dept/afrotc.
2. The state of Mississippi provides several student aid programs for students who are residents of the state of Mississippi. These include, but are not limited to: Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG), Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG), Critical Needs Teacher Program (CNTP), Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP) and Summer Developmental Program Grant (SDPG).

Information about these and other aid programs is available from the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211. Web: http://www.msfinancialaid.org, Jackson-area phone 601-432-6647; toll free 1-800-327-2980.