Scholarships
Mississippi State University awards automatic scholarships based on specific academic criteria. Opportunities for additional scholarships, such as departmental or private scholarships, are available based on submission of the General Scholarship Application, which opened on October 1, 2026, for students entering in summer/fall 2027. Please note that beginning in 2027, the ACT science score will no longer be factored into superscore calculations for scholarship eligibility.
2027-2028 Scholarships
2027-2028 automatic and competitive scholarship information, including eligibility requirements and award amounts, can be found at sfa.msstate.edu/scholarships.
Visit the MSU Scholarship Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mississippi State University offer automatic scholarships?
Yes. Mississippi State University automatically awards academic scholarships to incoming freshman and transfer students who meet qualifying GPA and test score criteria. No separate application is required. Automatic scholarship awards are determined at the time of admission and are renewable based on maintaining a minimum GPA and continuous full-time enrollment. Admitted students who want to be considered for the maximum scholarship eligibility should also complete the General Scholarship Application, which opens October 1.
What GPA do you need for a scholarship at Mississippi State?
Automatic academic scholarships at MSU are available to Mississippi resident freshmen with a minimum 9th-11th grade GPA of 3.0 and a qualifying ACT or SAT score, and to out-of-state freshmen with a minimum GPA of 3.30, with award amounts increasing at higher GPA and test score combinations (updated for 2027). Transfer students with a minimum overall transferable GPA of 3.25 are eligible for automatic transfer scholarships (updated for 2027). Higher-tier competitive scholarships, such as the Maroon & White Scholarship and Phi Theta Kappa awards, have additional GPA or test score requirements.
Does Mississippi State University have good scholarships for out of state students?
Mississippi State offers academic scholarships to out-of-state students. Freshmen are automatically considered when they’re admitted, based on 9th through 11th grade GPA and ACT or SAT scores, and no separate application is needed. Non-resident tuition scholarships are available to help reduce the out-of-state portion of tuition. Most academic scholarships can be renewed for up to four years with a qualifying college GPA and full-time enrollment. Admitted students who want to be considered for the most scholarships should also complete the General Scholarship Application, which opens October 1.
Can scholarships at Mississippi State University be stacked?
In some cases, yes. The Academic Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship can be combined with the Alumni Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship for children of MSU alumni, as long as the two together don’t go over the non-resident portion of tuition. Competitive scholarships awarded through the General Scholarship Application may also stack with the automatic non-resident awards, so completing that application after admission is a good step. The Non-Resident Military Tuition Waiver works differently. It’s awarded in place of the non-resident-specific scholarships, not on top of them.
Can I have all of my tuition covered at Mississippi State University?
It depends on the student. National Merit finalists receive a scholarship worth about $40,000 over four years plus a non-resident tuition scholarship that covers the out-of-state portion of tuition. Military-connected students may receive the Non-Resident Military Tuition Waiver, which covers only the non-resident portion of tuition, equivalent to $18,991. It doesn’t cover the rest of tuition, fees, housing, or meals. Awards vary by student, and applying for additional scholarships through the General Scholarship Application can add to what’s available.
Is Mississippi State University affordable?
Costs depend on your scholarships and living choices. For 2027-28, estimated yearly costs for tuition, fees, median-value housing, and the weekly 21 meal plan are:
In-State Tuition & Fees: $11,095
Housing (Median Value): $9,990
Meal Plan (Weekly 21 Plan): $5,210
Total for In-State: $26,295
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees: $30,086
Housing (Median Value): $9,990
Meal Plan (Weekly 21 Plan): $5,210
Total for Out-of-State: $45,286
These totals are before scholarships. Many students receive scholarships that lower what they pay.
Does Mississippi State waive out-of-state tuition?
Yes, for military-connected students. Veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents and spouses may qualify for the Non-Resident Military Tuition Waiver. It waives only the non-resident portion of tuition, which is equivalent to $18,991, and honorable discharge documentation is required. Students who aren’t military-connected may qualify for merit-based scholarships that help reduce the cost of out-of-state tuition, and for some students that can bring costs closer to in-state levels. Full details on the waiver are at admissions.msstate.edu/veterans.
How do I apply for scholarships at Mississippi State?
Some MSU scholarships are awarded automatically based on academic credentials. For competitive and departmental scholarships, students must submit the General Scholarship Application, which opens each October 1. Full scholarship details, deadlines, and applications are available on MSU’s scholarships website.
When does the MSU scholarship application open?
The General Scholarship Application at Mississippi State opens on October 1 each year for students entering the following summer or fall semester. The priority deadline for entering freshmen to submit their application and additional requested documentation is December 1. The priority deadline for entering transfers is March 1. These dates are updated for 2027.
Does Mississippi State offer scholarships for transfer students?
Yes. MSU offers several scholarships specifically for transfer students, including the Transfer Academic Scholarship for Mississippi residents, the Transfer Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship for out-of-state transfers, the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship for PTK members, and the Presidential Partnership Scholarship for nominated community college transfers. Transfer scholarships are renewable for up to five semesters.