MTAG is a Mississippi grant for residents enrolled at approved public or private nonprofit colleges. It is not automatic through FAFSA: students file the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP) each year, and the rules exclude applicants eligible for the maximum federal Pell Grant.
New students generally need one year of state residency, a 2.5 high-school GPA or equivalent, and at least a 15 national ACT; ACT superscores are accepted. They must attend full time and pursue a first certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree. Current college students need a 2.5 college GPA after at least 12 credits.
The state page lists up to $500 per academic year for freshmen and sophomores and up to $1,000 for juniors and seniors; the usual lifetime limit is eight semesters or degree completion. It is a modest grant used alongside other sources and does not cover summer. State-grant overlap is restricted, so the office compares programs under its rules.
File MAAPP between October 1 and September 15. As of October 12, 2026, the next-cycle application deadline may already have passed on September 15, although supporting documents for existing files may be due October 15; do not confuse those dates. Submit the FAFSA or required certification and residency records.
Before accepting an aid package, compare your individual notice with the bill and ask what happens if you change enrollment, major, or campus. Read the program profile and consult the administering agency; your institution’s financial-aid office confirms your individual determination.
MTAG program details — Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
Frequently asked questions — Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid — Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
Information checked on October 12, 2026 against official sources. Deadlines for the 2026–27 cycle have passed for several programs; they are identified as past dates where relevant. Eligibility does not guarantee funding: confirm the academic year, your file, and net cost with the program and your campus financial-aid office.
September 15 is the MAAPP deadline; October 15 applies to supporting documents for applications already filed.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
Up to $500 for early college years and $1,000 for upper years; full-time enrollment, 2.5 GPA, and an eight-semester cap.
State student financial-aid program
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
The agency reviews Pell eligibility, GPA, ACT, enrollment, and other grants; MTAG cannot freely be stacked with every state grant.
Public student financial-aid agency
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official website of Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
-
Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.