Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students

What is the Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students?

Eligibility for Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students

How Much Can I Receive?

What are Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students?

The Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) is a federal grant made to undergraduate and graduate students in the health professions to help pay for their cost of education. SDS is a grant program of the Department of Health and Human Services. The University of Mississippi is responsible for administering the grant program on our campus.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Grants are need-based aid. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by federal guidelines.

Eligibility for Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students

Your SDS eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office and is based on information you provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Some of the required criteria is as follows:

Parent income and asset information reported on the FAFSA even if an independent student.
Although, all graduate students are considered independent according to the need analysis formula in Title IV of the Higher Education Act institutions still must take parents’ information into account for the purpose of awarding SDS funds. This requirement cannot be waived. In cases where the parents refuse to provide income information, an affidavit documenting such a refusal cannot be accepted in lieu of the required information. Unless the parents are deceased, a student who does not provide parental income information may not be considered for SDS funds.
Enrollment as a full time student in the pharmacy school
U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible noncitizen status
Satisfactory academic progress (as determined by the Office of Financial Aid)
No unresolved defaults or overpayments owed on Title IV educational loans and grants
Satisfaction of all Selective Service Act requirements
Both eligibility and awards are determined each academic year. Grants are usually issued for a single academic year.

How Much Can I Receive?

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Grants award vary based upon vary according to funds availability. Typical awards may be up to $2000 during the academic year.

The Application Process

Because federal regulations require that awards first be made to the most needy students, the Office of Financial Aid will determine your eligibility.

Please read the following information:

Complete your FAFSA online at the Department of Education's website http://fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure to file by the priority deadline each year (February 15). The University of Mississippi's school code is 002440.
Information on parental income and assets must be reported on the FAFSA even if the student is independent.
Once your FAFSA is processed, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) documenting your financial resources and expected family contribution towards educational costs. An electronic copy will be sent to the Office of Financial Aid of the schools listed on your FAFSA.
Download, complete, and submit the Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students and Health Professions Student Loan Application with the required documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. The priority deadline is June 1 of each year.
If you are awarded the Scholarship for Disadvanted Students Grant (SDS), you must accept all or a part of your award on the online Financial Aid Award Notification found under the Check Your Award Status link on the Financial Aid website.

Disbursements of Funds

The grant proceeds will be processed through the Office of Financial Aid. Funds will credit first to your Bursar bill and any excess funds will be mailed to your permanent address or directly deposited to your personal account.