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Mississippi State University Scholarships — Merit, Honors, and Hidden Aid
What this page covers
- All real scholarship paths at Mississippi State: automatic merit, competitive awards, and lesser‑known “hidden gems.”
- Plain‑English eligibility and renewal terms (no vague “strong student” language).
- How the Shackouls Honors College changes your access to funding and opportunities.
- Cost of Attendance and realistic net price pointers, plus links to Mississippi state aid.
Mississippi State is one of the South’s most approachable flagships for families chasing real scholarship value. If your student brings solid grades and test scores, MSU’s automatic merit grid can knock serious dollars off the sticker price—often enough for out‑of‑state families to compete with in‑state totals elsewhere. Add targeted awards (leadership, service, Scouts/4‑H, honors) and the right junior‑year game plan can get you close to a full ride.
Use this guide to see exactly what’s possible and what it takes. If you’re comparing offers across public universities—or want to layer in state programs—start with our Mississippi State Grants & Scholarships page, then come back here to map MSU’s options line‑by‑line.
Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)
| ACT (superscore) | GPA Band | Annual Award | Housing Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21–24 | 3.00–3.59 | $1,000–$3,500 | — |
| 25–29 | 3.00–3.59 | $2,000–$2,500 | — |
| 30–32 | 3.00–3.59 | $3,000–$5,000 | — |
| 33–36 | 3.00–3.59 | $6,000–$10,500 | Free room (1 year) |
| 33–36 | 3.60+ | $13,125 | Free room (1 year) |
Out‑of‑State Automatic Merit (condensed)
| ACT (superscore) | GPA Band | Annual Award | Housing Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31+ | 3.30–3.59 | $12,000 | — |
| 31+ | 3.60–4.09 | $16,000 | — |
| 31+ | 4.10+ | $20,000 | Free room (1 year) |
Policy notes: Awards renew up to 8 semesters with continued eligibility. Figures are MSU’s typical automatic tiers and can change with funding.
- Typical Net Price: ≈ $16,480/year
- Median Net Price: ≈ $15,364/year
Out-of-State Waivers: Mississippi State participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM) for select majors, allowing eligible students from SREB states to pay in-state tuition if their program isn’t offered at home. In addition, MSU awards competitive academic scholarships that can significantly reduce the non-resident portion of tuition. Families should compare these options with home-state grants to find the best net price.
MSU’s Meridian campus also offers a special non-resident fee waiver for students from select West Alabama counties (Sumter, Greene, Choctaw, Hale, Marengo, and Clarke).
Automatic Merit Scholarships
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship Tier | Award (In-State) | Award (Out-of-State) | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence Tier 1 | $1,000–$3,500/yr | $9,000–$11,000/yr | ACT 21–24 GPA 3.0–3.59 |
No | Up to 4 yrs | Solid B+/A- students; common for both in- and out-of-state admits |
| Academic Excellence Tier 2 | $4,000–$8,500/yr | $12,000–$15,000/yr | ACT 25–29 GPA 3.5–3.9 |
No | Up to 4 yrs | Strong academic students; bigger bump for out-of-state families |
| Academic Excellence Tier 3 | $10,000–$12,000/yr | $18,000–$20,000/yr | ACT 30–36 GPA 3.75+ |
No | Up to 4 yrs | Top students; out-of-state awards bring net price close to in-state levels |
⚠️ GPA and test score cutoffs are approximate. They’re based on MSU’s published grids, past recipient data, and admitted student profiles. Actual cutoffs can shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and available funding.
Automatic Scholarship FAQs
Do I need to apply separately?
No. These awards are automatic once you’re admitted and your test scores/GPA are on file.
Are superscores accepted?
Yes, MSU will use your ACT superscore for awarding.
Can out-of-state students qualify?
Yes, and higher award tiers often reduce OOS tuition close to in-state prices.
⚠️ GPA and test score cutoffs are approximate. They’re based on MSU’s published grids, past recipient data, and admitted student profiles. Actual cutoffs can shift depending on the year’s applicant pool and available funding.
Note: “Superscore accepted” applies to ACT at MSU for scholarship consideration. Awards are contingent on funding and the applicant pool.
Competitive Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount (per year) | Eligibility (GPA/Test) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Full cost of attendance + enrichment | Typically ACT 30+ and high GPA; interview required | Yes | Yes | ~40 awards/year to top academic + leadership profiles with strong interviews |
| Provost / Chancellor’s | Full tuition or full tuition + housing | High GPA + rigorous curriculum; leadership/service | Yes | Yes | Selective institutional pool; offers align to academic strength and impact |
| National Merit Finalist | Full tuition + housing + meals + books + stipend | National Merit Finalist; lists MSU as first choice | Yes (NMSC process) | Yes | NMFs who designate MSU; awards are structured as full‑ride packages |
| Luckyday Scholars (MS residents) | $6,000 (up to $24,000 total) | MS resident; ACT ≥ 20; strong GPA; service emphasis | Yes | Yes | Cohort selection based on academics, service record, and program fit |
Disclaimer: Academic ranges and award counts reflect recent cohorts and official descriptions where available; they are guides, not guarantees. Final awards depend on funding, the applicant pool, and university review.
Why Mississippi State Stands Out
Mississippi State isn’t just a proud flagship—it’s an engine of real innovation and impact. It’s Mississippi’s only R1 university (that means “very high research activity”), and the National Science Foundation consistently ranks MSU among the nation’s top 100 research institutions. From autonomous drones to meteorologists and feeding the world—this place builds careers, breakthroughs, and big opportunities.
- Agriculture & Natural Resources: Ranks in the top 5% nationally for research expenditures in ag & natural resources .
- Engineering: Aerospace and mechanical engineering both in the top 50 (NSF rankings), plus industrial engineering near that range }.
- Meteorology & Atmospheric Science: One in three on-air broadcast meteorologists in the U.S. graduated from MSU .
- Archaeology & Heritage Studies: Home to the Cobb Institute of Archaeology—lead in fieldwork and public outreach for Near Eastern and Southeastern U.S. ancient sites .
- Research Clout & Grants: Ranked #64 among all public universities in research and development expenditures; R1 “Very High Research Activity” status confirmed .
Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State
Honors at MSU creates a small‑college experience: priority registration, smaller seminars, research & study‑abroad support, and access to the university’s most selective scholarships.
- Unweighted GPA ~3.8–4.0 with rigorous coursework (AP/IB/DE)
- ACT 30+ or SAT ~1360+ (superscore considered by MSU for merit)
- Leadership, service, research/creative work, or distinctive impact
Key dates: Apply to MSU by Dec 1 for automatic merit consideration. Many top Honors‑linked awards review in the fall (some invite interviews).
Honors‑Linked Scholarships
Competitive Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (Plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Full cost of attendance package (tuition, fees, housing, meals) + enrichment | Recommended: ACT ≥ 30 (or SAT equiv.), HS GPA ≥ 3.75, Honors interview, leadership & service record | Yes | Yes (up to 8 semesters with MSU GPA + credit benchmarks) | Typical recipient profile: ACT 31–34, unweighted GPA 3.8–4.0, top 10% class rank, multi‑year leadership (e.g., NHS/Key Club/officer roles), verified service hours, strong interview performance. |
| Colvard Future Leader Scholarship | Full tuition (housing support possible) | Leadership + service emphasis; strong academics; essay/interview review | Yes | Yes (terms apply) | Typical recipient profile: ACT 28–32, unweighted GPA 3.6–3.9, documented leadership (officer roles, captaincies, community orgs), sustained service (≥75–100 hrs), strong recommendations. |
| Luckyday Scholars Program (MS residents) | $6,000/year (renewable up to 4 years) | Mississippi resident; leadership & service; financial need; separate cohort application | Yes | Yes (GPA/participation requirements) | Typical recipient profile: HS GPA 3.3–3.8, ACT 22–28, verifiable need (FAFSA), consistent service (school/community), essays showing fit with cohort model. |
| National Merit Finalist Package | Tuition covered + additional MSU benefits (often housing/meal/book support) | National Merit Finalist; list MSU as first choice; meet MSU enrollment criteria | No (Finalist status/first‑choice required) | Yes (per MSU terms) | Typical recipient profile: National Merit Finalist with first‑choice designation to MSU; high academic standing maintained through senior year. |
Disclaimer: Award amounts, selection metrics, and renewal rules can change each cycle. “Typical recipient profiles” reflect recent cohorts and public info; they are not guarantees or cutoffs. Always verify current details and deadlines on MSU’s scholarship pages.
Disclosure: Eligibility descriptions reflect typical recipient profiles and published program language. Award counts and funding are subject to change based on budgets and applicant pools.
📎 Official Links
Mississippi State blends big-school traditions with surprisingly generous scholarships. For strong students, the automatic merit and honors opportunities can make an SEC education more affordable than staying in-state.
If your family is weighing costs across multiple colleges, don’t stop here—compare what you’d actually pay using our main scholarship hub and your state’s own aid programs. The right mix of auto-merit, honors funding, and outside awards can make a huge difference.
Last updated: August 2025