Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP)

Award Amount
Application deadline
Awarded By:

Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards offered annually varies based on the number of qualified applicants and the amount of funds available. The MOSFA will make these awards on a first-come, first-served basis; however, priority is given to renewal applicants who complete the renewal process by the deadline.
In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
  1. This award is for U.S. students.
  2. Must be a graduating high school senior OR be within one year of high school graduation (i.e., a current college freshman).
  3. Must be a legal resident of the state of Mississippi and have resided in Mississippi for the 24 months prior to college enrollment.
  4. Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  5. Must have an ACT score of 20 or higher.
  6. Must have a combined income for himself/herself and his/her parents of $39,500 or less. The allowable average adjusted gross income increases by $5,000 for each additional dependent family member under the age of 21 other than the student. Detailed information on financial eligibility is available on the MOSFA website.
  7. Must enroll full time.
  8. Must be accepted to or currently attend an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi. A list of eligible schools is available on the MOSFA website.
  9. Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

In order to qualify, students must meet the following criteria:

Description: This award is available to Mississippi high school students who are going to graduate or who have graduated from high school within the past year and are planning to attend an eligible Mississippi postsecondary institution. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or higher, and must meet certain family income limitations.

Application requirements for the Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP) are:

  • Application form
  • FAFSA by
  • Proof of residency & household size
  • Official Transcript
Additional Information: Created by the Mississippi Legislature, this program is designed to provide tuition assistance to qualified students whose financial need, as demonstrated by federal student aid eligibility, will not be met with gift aid from other sources. Students must not be in default on a student loan or on any repayment of state awards. Students must be pursuing a first certificate, first associate's degree, or first bachelor's degree.

Award Amount: The award covers tuition and required fees at public institutions. Recipients attending a private institution will receive an award amount equal to the award of a student attending the nearest comparable public institution. Awards are renewable for a maximum of 10 semesters (15 trimesters) or until bachelor's degree completion, whichever comes first.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $5,535.

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Wednesday, March 31

Deadline Information:

Deadline for this scholarship is Wednesday, March 31

The online application must be submitted by March 31.
About Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid:
Contact Information: Peggy Sledge, Director of Financial Aid
Address: 3825 Ridgewood Road Jackson, Mississippi 39211

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