Millsaps Gulf Coast Scholars Program Scholarship

The Millsaps College Gulf Scholars Fellowship is available to all students, no matter their major or division, interested in pursuing “Changemaking in the Gulf South” as a minor. This minor is designed to develop capacities to facilitate community-based change that leads to more ethical, sustainable ways of living. The minor places a special emphasis on the unique, intertwining environmental and social issues of the Gulf South and explores how we can collaborate with frontline communities to address the most pressing ecological challenges of our region.

The CMGS minor includes an introductory course, two interdisciplinary electives and a two-course capstone sequence where students will implement a community-based impact project of their own design. Students in the CMGS minor will form a mutually supportive group that gathers regularly, contributes to each other’s efforts and participates together in program events and nature-based outings. Students who have declared a CGS minor are eligible for paid internships, funding for conference travel and financial support for their impact project during the spring semester of their junior and fall semester of their senior years.

Students selected for the Gulf Scholars Program scholarship will receive:

• Up to $5,000 per year for four years (for up to five students)
• Paid internship opportunities with community and regional partners
• Resources for completing a two-semester, community-based capstone project
• Personalized mentoring from Millsaps faculty throughout the program

• The Gulf Scholars Program minor will be available to all students who can complete the minor before graduation.
• The Gulf Scholars scholarship is for first-time, first-year students.
• Students must apply and be admitted to Millsaps College.
• Students must pursue Changemaking in the Gulf South minor.

• Standard Millsaps application
• One letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, principal, employer or mentor. Letters should not come from a relative.
• One short essay (no less than 750 words) response to a prompt on the application.

Millsaps combines rigorous academics, community-engaged learning and personalized faculty mentoring to prepare students for meaningful lives of leadership and service. The Gulf Scholars Program builds on these strengths to create transformative experiences for students and the broader community.

The application deadline for the first class of Gulf Scholars is March 1, 2026.