Undergraduate students may apply for the following grants at The University of Mississippi:

• Ole Miss Opportunity Program
• Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
• Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
• Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
• Gear Up Mississippi
• Summer Developmental Program Grant
• Sumners Grant
• Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (TEACH)

Ole Miss Opportunity Program

 

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing access to quality education for students from all backgrounds. Through our Ole Miss Opportunity program, the University guarantees that eligible Mississippi resident students will receive financial aid support to cover the average cost of tuition, residence hall housing, and an allowance for meals. This program will fill the gap in funding after all federal, state, institutional, and private scholarships and grants awarded to the student have been considered.

 

What are the eligibility requirements?

To be eligible for Ole Miss Opportunity in 2013-14, you must be a Mississippi resident, U.S. citizen, an entering freshman at the start of the fall 2013 semester, seeking a degree and enrolled full time at Ole Miss. In addition, you must meet the following criteria:

• Family adjusted gross income on the 2012 federal tax return must be at or below $30,000
• Qualification for a federal Pell Grant, as determined by the 2013-14 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• 3.0 high-school GPA

How does a student apply?

• Submit a FAFSA by March 1 prior to the fall semester for automatic consideration—no other application form is required. Ensure that the FAFSA is complete by March 15 (received by the university and verified if necessary)

Click here for detailed information.

 

 

Federal Pell Grant

 

Pell grants of up to $5,550 per year ($5,645 in 2013-14) are available to eligible students. Eligibility is determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on a formula approved by Congress. The formula uses the information that is supplied by the parent and/or student on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to produce an EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Award amounts are prorated based on the number of hours for which a student is enrolled. Only undergraduate students who have not previously received a bachelor's degree are eligible. More information about Pell grants is available from the Federal Guide to Student Aid.

 

Federal Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) - New!

 

A new law reduces the duration of Federal Pell Grant eligibility from 18 semesters (or its equivalent) to 12 semesters (or its equivalent). This applies to all Federal Pell Grant eligible students effective with the 2012-13 academic year.

 

The maximum amount of Pell Grant funding a student can receive each year is equal to 100%. The 12-semester or six-year equivalent is 600%. Click here for details.

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Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

 

Grants of up to $4,000 per year are available to students pursuing a first bachelor's degree who show exceptional financial need. Due to limited funds, grants at The University of Mississippi usually do not exceed $800 per year. To apply, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). More information about SEOG is available from the Federal Guide to Student Aid.

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Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant

 

A grant of $500 per year is available for freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 per year for juniors and seniors who are Mississippi residents. MTAG is prorated for those students who receive a Pell Grant; therefore, students who receive the maximum Pell award will not be eligible for MTAG. One-year Mississippi residency and full-time enrollment are required. Entering freshmen must have a minimum ACT score of 15 or equivalent SAT and a 2.5 GPA. Applications are available from high-school counselors or from the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid in Jackson. All requirements must be completed by September 15 of each year. Renewal requires submission of an application each year, continued full-time status and maintenance of a 2.5 college GPA.

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Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant

 

A grant of $2,500 per year is available to Mississippi residents who are entering freshmen and are designated as National Merit/Achievement Finalists/Semifinalists OR who achieve an ACT score of 29 or better (or comparable SAT score) and a 3.5 high-school grade-point average. One-year Mississippi residency and full-time enrollment are required. Applications are available from high-school counselors or the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid in Jackson. All requirements must be completed by September 15 of each year. Renewal requires submission of an application each year, continued full-time status and maintenance of a 3.5 GPA.

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Gear Up Mississippi

 

This scholarship is related to a U.S. Department of Education grant entitled Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs awarded to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (GEARUP MS).

 

This is a renewal scholarship only. The application can be found at

 

 

 

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Summer Developmental Program Grant

 

The Summer Developmental Program Grant is made available through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid in Jackson to high-school graduates attending the Mississippi Summer Developmental Program.

To be eligible, a student must

• Be a Mississippi resident
• Be accepted as a first-time attendee of the Summer Developmental Program at The University of Mississippi
• Complete the current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For the 2012 summer semester, the 2011-12 FAFSA must be completed.
• Demonstrate financial need after all other grant/gift aid is awarded

Students should complete the application after January 1. The deadline for applying is the established deadline date for enrollment in the Summer Developmental Program.

More information concerning this grant is available on the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid site.

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Sumners Grant

 

Eligibility Requirements

• The student must be a resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery or Webster County in Mississippi who desires and can benefit from a higher education.
• All applicants must have resided for 12 continuous months in one of the five Sumners counties prior to enrollment.
• All applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at the institution. Teacher certification courses may also be approved (except for visiting students) if documented as such by the School of Education.
• The amount of the Sumners Grant shall not exceed the cost of attendance when combined with all other types of aid received by the student (including institutional and other scholarships/grants, military stipends, veterans benefits).
• Independent students who have not established a residence in one of the Sumners counties may not establish eligibility by the address of parents who reside in one of the eligible counties.
• If you withdraw from the university within the 100 percent institutional refund period (the first 10 days of classes), any scholarship that has already credited to your bursar account must be repaid in full.

To Apply for the Grant:

You must complete the form online and indicate the academic year for which you are applying. The Sumners Foundation verifies residency in the appropriate counties for all applicants.

 

Amount of Grant

Since the amount received by The University of Mississippi from the Sumners Trust may vary each year, as will the number of students enrolled from each of the eligible counties, it is possible that grant amounts may also vary from one year to the next. The following illustrates our current awarding expectations.

 

Award Amounts 2012-13

Full Time	$2,500 per semester	$5,000 per academic year
3/4 Time	$1,875 per semester	$3,750 per academic year
Half-Time	$1,250 per semester	$2,500 per academic year
Less than Half-Time	$ 625 per semester	$1,250 per academic year

 

Anticipated Award Amounts 2013-14

Full Time	$2,500 per semester	$5,000 per academic year
3/4 Time	$1,875 per semester	$3,750 per academic year
Half-Time	$1,250 per semester	$2,500 per academic year
Less than Half-Time	$ 625 per semester	$1,250 per academic year

 

Course Load Definitions per Semester (in hours)

 

	Full Time	3/4 Time	Half-Time	Less than Half-Time
Undergraduate	12 or more	9-11	6-8	Less than 6
Graduate	9 or more	7-8	5-6	Less than 5
Law	10 or more	8-9	5-7	Less than 5
Pharm.D.	12 or more	9-11	6-8	Less than 6

 

Renewal Requirements

• A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
• Application must be made annually.
• All other criteria must be met, including continued residency in a Sumners county.
• The recipient cannot receive this award for more than one degree at the same level (e.g., one undergraduate degree, one master's degree).

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