Scholarships - [ academic scholarships for entering freshmen ]
* Admission to the university and an online resume are required for scholarship consideration.
*MSU offers general scholarships to entering freshmen based on a scholarship grade-point average (overall GPA submitted on the official high school transcript or core GPA calculated by MSU on a 4.0 scale from 9-11 grades), official ACT/SAT scores submitted directly to MSU, and submission of the online resume.
* The written portion of the ACT or SAT is not considered for the awarding of scholarships.
* Recipients must enroll as a full-time student the semester in which the award is received. Recipients also must remain in good standing.
Mississippi State University has a variety of academic scholarships including scholarships for National Merit and National Achievement, Valedictorians, Salutatorians, and overall academic excellence.
In addition to earned outstanding honors and awards, these scholarships require a competitive ACT/SAT score, an above average high school GPA, and excellent leadership and service activities.
Scholarship amounts are competitive and include awards ranging from the cost of books and housing to full resident and non-resident tuition.
Note: Only National Test Date ACT/SAT scores will be considered in determining scholarship awards. The 2011 December ACT/SAT is the last ACT/SAT to be considered for scholarship purposes. The written portion of the ACT/SAT is not considered for admission or scholarship awarding purposes.
Freshman Academic Excellence
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: December 1
- Award: Starting at $4,000
- Criteria:
- Competitive ACT/SAT
- Above average high school GPA
- Excellent leadership and service activities
Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: December 1
- Award: Ranging from 50% to 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition
- Criteria:
- Competitive ACT/SAT
- Above average high school GPA
- Excellent leadership and service activities
*May be awarded in addition to the Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship.
International Baccalaureate Scholarship
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: December 1
- Level One Award: $6,000 over four years ($1,500 per year)
- Level One Criteria:
- Must have earned the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 30
- Must have a minimum 26 ACT or 1170 SAT
- Must have earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0
- Scholarship Resume must be received by December 1, 2011
- Official International Baccalaureate Diploma must be received by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships before August 1, 2012
- Level Two Award: $10,000 over four years ($2,500 per year)
- Level Two Criteria:
- Must have earned the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 35
- Must have a minimum 28 ACT or 1240 SAT
- Must have earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0
- Scholarship Resume must be received by December 1, 2011
- Official International Baccalaureate Diploma must be received by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships before August 1, 2012
- Level Three Award: $14,000 over four years ($3,500 per year)
- Level Three Criteria:
- Must have earned the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 40
- Must have a minimum 30 ACT or 1320 SAT
- Must have earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0
- Scholarship Resume must be received by December 1, 2011
- Official International Baccalaureate Diploma must be received by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships before August 1, 2012
*May be awarded in addition to the Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship.
National Merit/Achievement Semifinalist & Finalist Scholarships
Four-year award (eight semesters)- Priority Date: December 1
- Award:
- Semifinalists: $6,000 over four years($1,500 per year)
- Finalists: an additional $6,000 for a total of $12,000 over four years ($3,000 per year)
*Scholars sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation or a foundation may be selected for an annual stipend ranging from $500 to $3,000.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship
One-time award- Priority Date: December 1
- Award:
- $1,000 for Valedictorian students named by their high schools
- $500 for Salutatorian students named by their high schools
- Criteria:
- Scholarship Resume must be received by December 1, 2011.
- Letter of verification by a high school guidance counselor, principal, or other high school official must be received by the Office of Admissions and Scholarships before August 1, 2012
4-H Academic Scholarship
One-time award- Priority Date: August 1
- Award: A one-time award of $500 ($250 per semester)
- Criteria:
- Be an entering freshman
- Mississippi resident
- Must have a scholarship GPA of 3.0
- Must have a minimum 20 ACT or a 940 SAT
- Must be an active member in the 4-H Community Club
- Must submit a letter of participation from the county 4-H representative or the state 4-H office
