Financial Aid Basics
Financial Aid can be received based off of merit or financial need. Below you find information about private scholarships, institutional scholarships, federal aid, and state aid. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me!
Private Scholarships
Privately funded scholarships are one type of financial aid for which students can apply. The funding may be national, such as Coca Cola or Gates Foundation or local, such as Rotary or Junior Auxiliary.
Click the link below for specific scholarship information. Local Scholarships updated as received.
Scholarships
Some other good resources for private scholarships may be available at your local insurance companies, parents place of work, community organizations (e.g. Scouts). Below you will find some links to websites and search engines that may prove to be useful in your search for additional private scholarships.
Scholarships are free money for college! The only way to receive a scholarship is to apply for it, so I have made the process so easy. On my Canvas page I have a scholarship list that is updated and has all of the links. I have that list below as well. These will be updated often, so check back!
Popular Online Scholarship Websites (National)
- Scholarships 360-Multiple Deadlines
- FastWeb Scholarships
- Kaleidoscope Scholarships
- Unigo Scholarships
- Scholarships.com (database that matches you with scholarships based on your profile)
- UNCF (United Negro College Fund)- Multiple deadlines majority for HBCU students
- Social Cause Student Scholarship- Monthly Scholarships
- Army ROTC Scholarship-Multiple Deadlines
- https://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.htmlLinks to an external site.
- Applications opened June 12, 2023. Your application must be started by Feb. 4, 2024 and completed by March 11, 2024 to be eligible for review.
The Army ROTC National Scholarship Board will next review applications for the 2024-2025 school year on:
- Applications are due by Oct. 9, 2023 to be reviewed by the board from Oct. 16-20, 2023
- Applications are due by Jan. 15, 2024 to be reviewed by the board from Jan. 22-26, 2024
- Applications are due by Mar. 11, 2024 to be reviewed by the board from Mar. 18-22, 2024
- Opp U Achieve Scholarship- Multiple Deadlines
Current Scholarships (More Local):
- Christian Leaders of the Future Scholarship- Deadline October 6, 2023
- Heisman High School Scholarship-Deadline October 18, 2023
- Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency Scholarship Program- Deadline October 20, 2023
Scholarship Guidelines:
1. The student must be a graduating senior from an accredited Mississippi high school.
2. After graduation from high school, the student must be accepted by or have intentions of fall enrollment in either a junior college or university.
3. Two letters of recommendation: one from a school teacher and one from an adult of your choice (It can be from another teacher).
4. An essay of 300 to a maximum of 750 words will be required on one of the following topics:
a. Why you are a registered organ and tissue donor
b. The importance of encouraging others to be an organ and tissue donor
c. How have you or your family been affected by organ and tissue donation or by transplantation of organs and /or tissue
d. Why you want to be an organ and tissue donor
- VFW-Voice of Democracy Scholarship- Deadline October 31, 2023 (9-12 graders)
- College Xpress Scholarship- Deadline October 31, 2023
- Prudential Emerging Visionaries- Deadline November 3, 2023 (9-12 graders)
- Regeneron Science Talent Search- Deadline November 8, 2023
- 10 Words or Less Scholarship- Deadline November 15, 2023
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship- Deadline November 16, 2023
- Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards- Deadline November 13, 2023
- Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship- Deadline November 13, 2023
- Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers- Deadline December 1, 2023
- Hagan Needs-Based Scholarship- Deadline December 1, 2023
- MSBA- Mississippi School Boards Association Essay/Speaking Scholarship- Deadline December 14, 2023
- Mindscape Big Picture Scholarship- Deadline December 15, 2023
- Pilot Overachievers Student Grant- Deadline December 15, 2023
- Equitable Excellence℠ Scholarship Program- Deadline December 17, 2023
- Burger King- James McLamore Foundation Scholarship- Deadline December 15, 2023
- Cirkled In- No Sweat Scholarship- 9th-12th- Deadline December 31, 2023
- Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship- Deadline January 10, 2024
- Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF)- Deadline January 8, 2024
- Taco Bell- Live Mas Scholarship- Deadline January 11, 2024
- Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship-Deadline January 27, 2024
- The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program- Deadline January 24, 2024
- Technology Addiction Awareness Scholarship- 9th-12th-Deadline January 30, 2024
- Foot Locker Scholar Athlete- Deadline January 30, 2024
- Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships- Multiple scholarships- Deadline January 31, 2024
- Dream Opportunity Scholarship- Deadline January 31, 2024
- Mississippi County Employee Scholarship- Deadline February 1, 2024
- Bulk Office Supply Scholarship- Deadline February 1, 2024
- McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship - Deadline February 7, 2024
- Elvis Presley Fan Club Scholarship- Deadline February 14th, 2024
- Hispanic Scholar Program- Deadline February 15, 2024
- The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians Foundation 2024 David G. Hall, M.D. Memorial Scholarship- Deadline February 24, 2024
- Flavorful Futures Scholarship- February 28, 2024
- Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship- Deadline March 1, 2024
- Children of Warriors National President's Scholarship- Deadline March 1, 2024
- Nissan Scholarship- Deadline March 1, 2024
- Blue Mountain Christian University Scholarship Application- Deadline March 1, 2024
- Blue Mountain College Heritage Scholarship- ACT 27 and above- Deadline March 1, 2024
- Line Street Scholarship- Deadline March 1, 2023
- Create a Greeting Card Scholarship- Deadline March 2, 2024
- Doodle for Google Scholarship- Deadline March 5, 2024
- Sallie Mae- Bridging the Gap Scholarship- Deadline March 8, 2024
- Thurgood Marshall Scholarships- Multiple Scholarships on one site- Deadline March 8, 2024
- Dr. Marshall E. Hollis Family Health Care Scholarship- Deadline March 10, 2024
- Dr. Marshall E. Hollis Family Scouting Scholarship- Deadline March 10, 2024
- Dr. Marshall E. Hollis Family 4-H Scholarship- Deadline March 10, 2024
- Dr. Marshall E. Hollis First Baptist Church Scholarship- Deadline March 10, 2024
- Ashley Furniture: Grant-In-Aid Scholarship- Deadline March 15, 2024
- Ashley Furniture: Wanek Engineering & Design Scholarship - Deadline March 15, 2024
- Northeast Foundation Scholarships-Deadline March 15, 2024
- Horatio Alger Association Scholarships-State and National Scholarships Opens December 1st and Closes March 15th
- KFC Reach- Employee Scholarship- Deadline March 26, 2024
- Mississippi Professional Educators Scholarship- March 24, 2024
- Black and Positively Golden Scholarship- Deadline March 27, 2024
- Northeast Tuition Guarantee March 15, 2024
- VFW Auxiliary Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest- Deadline March 31, 2024
- AFA Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest- Deadline April 1, 2024
- Roy D. and W. A. Prather Educational and Community Development Foundation Scholarship- April 1, 2024
- NEMCC Scholarship Application- Deadline April 1st, 2024
- The Southeastern Theatre Conference Scholarship- Deadline April 1, 2024
- Anne Ford Scholarship- For students with Learning Disabilities and/or ADHD- Deadline April 5, 2024
- Mississippi Construction Education Foundation Scholarship- Deadline April 14, 2024
- Tri-State Scholarship- Deadline April 15, 2024
- Del Gaillard Math Scholarship- Deadline April 15, 2024
- Allie Conner Gaddis Creative Writing Scholarship- Ripley High School Students- Deadline April 30, 2024
- Jacob Brown Friendship Award- Deadline May 6, 2024
- MLK Dream Team Scholarship- Deadline April 24, 2024
- CRITERIA: ALL applicants MUST submit a 200 word essay on "How Dr. Kings Teaching Has Impacted/influenced My Life" to the following email address: mlkdreamteam@outlook.com
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- B. Davis Scholarship- Deadline May 21, 2023
- Mississippi Municipal League 2022 Scholarship- Deadline May 27, 2024
- The Montesi Scholarship- Deadline May 30, 2024
- PB & J Scholarship- Deadline May 31, 2024
- Dr. Charles Noplis Scholarship- Deadline June 15, 2024
- MS Trucking Association Foundation Scholarship Deadline June 22, 2024
- Wade Kricken Future Lawyer Scholarship- Deadline July 15, 2024
- Dr. Jon Kiev Scholarship- Deadline August 15, 2024
Past Scholarships
- Pizza Hut Foundation Scholarship- Deadline September 7, 2023
- Gates Scholarship- Deadline September 15, 2023
- Nike HSI Scholarship- Deadline September 15, 2023
- Quest Bridge- National College Match for Full Tuition- Deadline September 26, 2023
- Cirkled In- No Sweat Scholarship- 9th-12th- Deadline September 30, 2023
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program- Deadline October 2, 2023
Institutional Scholarships
Most scholarships come directly from individual colleges and universities, these are considered institutional scholarships. Complete applications for admission in the fall of your senior year. You must be accepted for admission in order to receive scholarships and financial aid. Sometimes the application for admission is used to award scholarships, however many colleges have additional applications.
There may be departmental scholarships or scholarships for specific programs such as Honors Colleges, or talent based scholarships requiring auditions or portfolios. Check out each college’s website and make sure you meet all the deadlines. All Mississippi Community Colleges and Universities are linked in my Canvas page for students.
Federal Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in getting money for college. It is required for federal student aid. However, the FAFSA results may also be used for private scholarships, money that comes directly from the college or university and also for state financial aid, all with different deadlines.
Important Tip - Make sure you are using the correct website for the FAFSA. There are scam sites that request credit card information! The direct link is https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Need Help Completeing the FAFSA or State Aid Application??
The FAFSA will not open until December 2023.
To schedule a slot call the school at (662) 837-7583 email me at stroupel@stsd.ms
State Aid
The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid offers scholarships and grants based on merit and financial need to full-time (15 credit hours per semester) students attending eligible Mississippi colleges and universities. The application is available at https://www.msfinancialaid.org or you can link to the Mississippi application after completing the FAFSA and most of your info will be pre-filled.
Mississippi State Aid Application is for three specific financial aid opportunities, some of which are substantial! These are listed below in more detail.
MISSISSIPPI TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT (MTAG)
DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15 (after graduation)
Covers up to $500/year for freshmen and sophomores and up to $1000/year for juniors and seniors. Initial eligibility for the student who:
- Has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum of 15 on the national ACT or equivalent score on the national SAT
- Is not full Pell Grant eligible
MISSISSIPPI EMINENT SCHOLARS GRANT (MESG)
DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15 (after graduation)
Covers up to $2500/year, but may not exceed tuition and required fees at attending institution.
Initial eligibility for the student who:
- Achieves a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
- Scores a minimum of 29 on the national ACT or equivalent score on the national SAT or is a National Merit/National Achievement Finalist or Semi-Finalist.
HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE PLAN (HELP)
DEADLINE: MARCH 31
Covers tuition and required fees for no more than 8 semesters at a public institution. Participants attending a private institution in Mississippi will receive an award amount equal to the award of a student attending the nearest comparable Mississippi public institution. Additional documents must be submitted by April 30. Initial eligibility for the student who:
- Is a freshman and/or sophomore who graduated from high school within the immediate past two years using the designated core curriculum and is a resident of Mississippi.
- Demonstrates need as determined by the results of the FAFSA
- Meets the income threshold to qualify as listed on the HELP website.
- Has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum of 20 on the national ACT.