The scholarship is related to a U. S. Department of Education grant entitled Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs awarded to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. The award period for the grant is September 18, 2002 through September 17, 2007. The purpose of the grant is to provide counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and other support services to participating students. The GEAR UP Mississippi Scholarship, hereafter known as the GEAR UP MS Scholarship, will be first awarded in the fall 2008.

GEARUP Applicants Apply Here - Online Web Application

Application Deadline: March 31st

Non-academic Requirements:

• Meets all eligibility requirements by the designated deadline date;

• Be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen and registered with the Selective Service, if required;

• Is less than 22 years old at the time of the first scholarship award;

• Participated in GEAR UP MS in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades at an Eligible High School;

• Is a Mississippi resident;

• Have a custodial parent or guardian who is a resident of Mississippi;

• Have no criminal record, except for misdemeanor traffic violations;

• Be accepted for enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible Mississippi public or non public institution of higher learning pursuing a first baccalaureate degree or a full-time undergraduate student at an eligible Mississippi public or non public community/junior college pursuing a first associate degree;

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); Must demonstrate financial need and be eligible for and receive a Federal Pell Grant; Priority consideration will be given to those students demonstrating the greatest need.

• Be in compliance with the terms of federal and other state aid programs;

• When the Gear Up Scholarship is added to a student's award package, the total award package will not exceed the institution's cost of attendance or some other limitation established by the institution which may be less than the cost of attendance. If an over award occurs, the Scholarship will be reduced;

• Must not be receiving a tuition and required fees waiver or tuition required fees award from another state financial aid source including but not limited to, the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, the Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers and Firemen Scholarship Program, the Southeast Asia POW/MIA Scholarship Program or the Critical Needs Teacher Loan/Scholarship;

• Must not have earned a first associate or a first bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.

Academic requirements:

1. Receives a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent on or after January 1, 2008 from a participating GEAR UP school;
2. Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average for all course work attempted in grades 9 through 12;
3. Have a composite score on the American College Test of at least eighteen (18); however, students with a higher ACT score will be given priority consideration. Note: Residual Test Scores are not acceptable. Scores must come from National Testing.
4. Successfully completed the following fifteen and one-half (15 ½) units of high school course work (grades 9 through 12) which constitutes a core curriculum and meets standards for admission to the desired Mississippi public or non public institution of higher learning or Mississippi public or non public community/junior college. The core curriculum is defined as: English (4 units) English I, English II, English III, English IV;
   Mathematics (3 units) Algebra I, Algebra II, & Geometry, A fourth course in high level mathematics is highly recommended, Science (3 units; however, 2 units must be laboratory based) Biology, Advanced Biology, Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, Physics, and Advanced Physics or other science course with comparable content and rigor, One unit from a Physical Science course with content at a level that may serve as an introduction to Physics and Chemistry may be used; Social Studies (3 units) United States History (1 Unit), World History (1 unit) with substantial geography component; Government (½ unit) or Geography (½ unit); Other Advanced Electives - suggested but not required (2 units) Foreign Language; World Geography; 4th year laboratory-based science; or 4th year mathematics One unit must be Foreign Language or World Geography; Computer Applications (½ unit) The course should include the use of application packages such as word processing and spread sheets. The course should also include basis computer terminology and hardware operation.

Renewal Applicant Eligibility Requirements: All continuing participants must meet the non academic requirements listed above and the following additional requirements:

Section IV: The maximum length of eligibility shall not exceed ten semesters or fifteen trimester or degree completion which ever comes first. Factors which may affect the amount of a scholarship are as follows:

 Availability of funds during the period of 2008-2014;

 Number of eligible applicants;

 Demonstrated financial need after all other grant/gift and scholarship aid (including Federal Pell Grant) has been applied, and prior to the awarding of a federal loan or work study;

 The minimum amount of the scholarship for each fiscal year shall not be less than the lesser of 75% of the average cost of attendance for students in 4-year programs of study at public institutions of higher education or the maximum Federal Pell Grant award funded for the award year in which the scholarship will be awarded.

 The minimum amount of the scholarship for each fiscal year shall not be less than the lesser of 75% of the average cost of attendance for students in 2-year programs of study at public institutions of higher education or the maximum Federal Pell Grant award funded for the award year in which the scholarship will be awarded.

 The annual award amount for the GEAR UP MS Scholarship for the cost of attendance at a Mississippi non-public two year or four year institution shall not exceed the average tuition and fees charges required by all the two and four year public institutions of higher education;

 In no case shall any student receive any combination of student financial aid and scholarship that would exceed applicant’s demonstrated financial need;

 Changes in federal or state requirements.

SECTION V:  LOSS OF GEAR UP MS SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY

 Failure to maintain academic eligibility and/or full time enrollment (other than withdrawal) will result in cancellation of the recipient’s eligibility for the GEAR UP MS Scholarship.

 Withdrawal from school will result in cancellation of the recipient’s eligibility for the GEAR UP MS Scholarship; however, the student may file an appeal for reconsideration with the Office of State Student Financial Aid and may be granted an exception for cause.