Types of Assistance

The primary responsibility of financing a college education lies with the student's family. However, we are committed to joining with the family to make a Millsaps education as affordable as possible. Most students who enroll at Millsaps receive financial assistance from us; in fact, more than 90% of this year's entering students received some kind of assistance.

There are several types of aid available to you.

I. Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships at Millsaps are competitive and are awarded without regard to financial need. From the Second Century Scholarships to smaller, specialized endowed scholarships, all our awards seek to recognize outstanding achievement and/or potential for success in a collegiate setting. In order to be considered for academic scholarships at Millsaps, the Application for Admissions and Scholarship is the only document needed. Be sure to postmark the application or apply online by the appropriate deadline to insure maximum scholarship consideration.

Millsaps Scholarships for Incoming Freshmen:

• Presidential Scholarships
  Postmark deadline January 8
  Submit admission application
  $12,000 - $25,000
  4-year renewable
  Interview by invitation only
• Second Century Scholars Program
  Postmark deadline January 8
  Submit admission application
  Up to $12,000 annually
  4-year renewable
• Millsaps Awards
  Submit admission application
  Up to $11,000
  4-year renewable
• Millsaps United Methodist Scholarships
  Postmark deadline March 1
  Submit Millsaps Application for United Methodist Scholarships
  Several competitive scholarships with varied amounts
  Other scholarships available from GBHEM
• Performing and Fine Arts Scholarships
  (Component of Second Century Scholarships)
  $500 - 1,500
  Requires audition or presentation of portfolio on Fine Arts audition days.
• Charles and Eloise Else Scholars Program
  Postmark deadline February 1
  Submit admission application
  $3,000 annually
  4-year renewable
• Jonathan Sweat Music Scholarships
  Requires audition on Fine Arts audition days
  $2,000 - 10,000 annually
  4-year renewable
• Kelly Gene Cook Scholarships
  Selection and interview set by the Kelly Gene Cook Charitable Foundation
  Up to $8,000 annually - based on financial need
  4-year renewable - need based eligibility must be reestablished annually
• E.H. Sumners Grant
  Postmark deadline by February 1
  Amount determined annually
  4-year renewable

If an accepted freshman is eligible to be considered for multiple awards from the following list, the student will receive only the award with the highest monetary value: Second Century Scholarship, Millsaps Award, E.H. Sumners Grant, Tuition Exchange benefit and Staff/Faculty tuition benefit. Renewal of all scholarship is contingent on meeting specific eligibility criteria provided with the award.

Millsaps Scholarships for Incoming Transfer Students:

• Millsaps Awards
  Submit admissions application
  $1,500 - 12,000
  3.5-year renewable
• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
  $5,000
  2-year renewable
• E.H. Sumners Grant
  Amount determined annually
  3-year renewable
• Millsaps United Methodist Scholarships
  Submit Millsaps Application for United Methodist Scholarships by March 1 deadline
  Several competitive scholarships with varied amounts

If an accepted transfer student is eligible to be considered for multiple awards from the following list, the student will receive only the award with the highest monetary value: Millsaps Awards, Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, E.H. Sumners Grant, Tuition Exchange benefit, Staff/Faculty tuition benefit. One exception: Millsaps Awards and Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships can be awarded together. Renewal of all scholarships is contingent upon meeting specific eligibility criteria provided with the award.

II. Need-Based Financial Aid

To apply for need-based financial aid, students must begin the process by completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). We recommend completing this form as soon as possible after January 1, and before our priority financial aid filing date of March 1. Need-based aid recipients must reapply and re-qualify each year. There are several types of need-based assistance for which you may demonstrate eligibility.

Need-based Assistance Programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
  The Pell Grant is a federal program available to families with low income. Pell Grants are valued from $400 - 4,050 per year. The maximum amount a student can receive is subject to federal appropriations.
• Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Grant (LEAP)
  This grant is available to full-time students who demonstrate need and are residents of Mississippi. The grant is valued from $200 - 1,500 per year.  Awards are determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
  This federal grant is available to students taking at least two courses, and is valued from $200 - 4,000 per year. Awards are determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
• Federal Perkins Loan
  A maximum of $20,000 is available for this undergraduate federal program. Repayment and accrual of interest begin at the rate of 5% nine months after the student completes study or drops below half-time status.
• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
  $3,500 available for the first year of study, and a total of $23,000 available for the undergraduate program. Subsidized Stafford Loans carry a variable interest rate capped at 8.25%. Repayment begins six months after the student completes study or drops below half-time status.
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
  Valued at the same amount as a Subsidized Stafford Loan, this program expands borrowing privileges to students who do not meet the income criteria for those loans. Terms and conditions are also the same as Subsidized Stafford Loans except that the borrower must pay the accrued interest each year.
• Millsaps Need-based Grants
  Amounts vary, and may range from $500 - 10,000 per year. Awards are determined by the Office of Financial Aid, and eligibility must be reestablished each year.

United Methodist Student Aid

Millsaps offers scholarships to students who are members of the United Methodist Church and active in church ministry. To apply for any United Methodist scholarship, request a Millsaps Application for United Methodist Scholarships at the Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Aid, or click here for an online application (page 1, page 2).  Priority deadline is March 1st.

Millsaps also provides $3,000 per year in tuition assistance to dependents of Methodist ministers.

Other Methodist scholarships offered by GBHEM.

Dollars for Scholars
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) will provide $1000 matching scholarship to the first eligible 325 applicants on a first-come,first-served basis. The sponsoring church must remit a check payable to UMHEF for $1,000 with the completed application form. Candidates must be enrolled or enrolling as a full-time student, fall 2007, in a UM-related college,university, or seminary and be an active member of the UMC for at least one year. Upon verification of enrollment UMHEF will transfer $2,000 to the institution. Only one application per church will be accepted. Only one application per student will be accepted. All information must be completed in order to be considered.

Applications are available at www.umfche.org.

State Aid for Mississippi Residents

The State of Mississippi sponsors two state grants. The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG), valued at $500 per year for freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 per year for juniors and seniors, and the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG), valued at $2,500 per year, are available to state residents based on specific academic and enrollment criteria. If you are a Mississippi resident, complete the 2007-2008 Mississippi Student Financial Aid Scholarship Application online at www.ihl.state.ms.us/financialaid/ after January 1.

Millsaps TOPS Scholarships for Louisiana Students

$3,000 will be awarded in addition to a second century scholarship to LA students who qualify for the LA TOPS Honors scholarship. (Minimum 27 ACT and 3.5 GPA required)