Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
MTAG helps Mississippi residents pay for undergraduate study at approved public or private nonprofit colleges. It generally offers up to $500 a year to freshmen and sophomores and up to $1,000 to juniors and seniors, for no more than eight semesters or twelve quarters. It is a modest grant that can complement other aid, not a promise to cover full tuition.
About Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG)
MTAG helps Mississippi residents pay for undergraduate study at approved public or private nonprofit colleges. It generally offers up to $500 a year to freshmen and sophomores and up to $1,000 to juniors and seniors, for no more than eight semesters or twelve quarters. It is a modest grant that can complement other aid, not a promise to cover full tuition.
The entering-freshman pathway requires at least one year of Mississippi residency, a 2.5 high-school GPA, and a minimum ACT score of 15 or accepted equivalent; the program also checks Pell eligibility through FAFSA or, in certain cases, a certification statement. Students must enroll full time at an approved institution and pursue a first certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree. Students with college credits should check the separate continuing-student route and GPA rules.
The state office lists an annual application window from October 1 through September 15, with supporting documents due October 15 if requested. The fall 2026 application date passed on September 15, but the next academic-year window can begin October 1. The college financial-aid office should confirm which cycle applies and whether FAFSA or a certification statement is needed, then ensure it reports enrollment on time.
Renewal is not automatic: MTAG reviews college GPA, continuous full-time enrollment, and progress each regular semester. Rules also cap combined aid at the institution’s cost of attendance, so an award may be adjusted when other grants exceed that limit. Ask what amount applies to your class year, when it is credited, and whether combining it with MESG or other awards changes the final package.
Ask the financial-aid office for a written term-by-term estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, books, and other costs. Keep the award letter, records, and any service agreement. If your studies, residence, or course load change, contact the administrator before that decision affects your aid.
College scholarship and financial-aid program