Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
Offered by Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid · Free to apply
High scorers who stay in Mississippi can add $2,500 a year to their aid package through this state grant, paid at any approved in-state public or private nonprofit college. Entry takes a 3.5 high school GPA plus a 29 ACT or 1350 SAT, and National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist standing counts in place of the test score; entering freshmen must also have been Mississippi residents for the year before finishing high school. It is an entitlement rather than a contest, so every qualified applicant is funded, though amounts can be prorated if the program is underfunded and the grant can never exceed tuition and required fees. Applications run through the state aid portal from October 1 to September 15 of the award year, with supporting documents due October 15. Keeping it takes a 3.5 college GPA and an annual renewal filing, for up to eight semesters.
How hard is the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Mississippi residents
- Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
- Fewer rivalsRequires at least a 3.5 GPA
- Fewer rivalsRequires a minimum test score
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Mississippi
- Open to high school seniors and current college students
- GPA of 3.5 or higher (unweighted)
- SAT score of 1350 or higher
- ACT score of 29 or higher
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist standing qualifies as an alternative to the 29 ACT / 1350 SAT
- Must be a Mississippi resident for one year prior to high school completion
- Supporting documents due October 15, one month after the September 15 application deadline
What the application takes
- Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is September 15, 2026. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around September 15 each year. Applications open October 1. The window is long but the September 15 close is firm, so apply in the fall of senior year and leave room for document collection.
- State aid application opens
- October 1, 2025
- Supporting documents due
- October 15, 2025
- Application due
- September 15, 2026
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
How much is the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) worth?
The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) awards up to $2,500/yr (cannot exceed tuition and required fees) and is renewable in later years.
When is the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) deadline?
The current deadline is September 15, 2026. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around September 15 each year. Applications open October 1. The window is long but the September 15 close is firm, so apply in the fall of senior year and leave room for document collection.
When do Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) applications open?
Applications open October 1, and close September 15, 2026. The window is long but the September 15 close is firm, so apply in the fall of senior year and leave room for document collection.
Who is eligible for the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Mississippi; Open to high school seniors and current college students; GPA of 3.5 or higher (unweighted); SAT score of 1350 or higher. 2 more criteria are listed on this page.
Does the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) require an essay?
No essay is required. The application does ask for a transcript. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) free to apply?
Yes. The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.