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FINANCIAL AID

STEP 3 - APPLY FOR STATE AID

Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP)

Program Overview
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.

Important Dates
Application Dates: January 1 – March 31
Supporting Documents Deadline: April 30
The dates are important as the number of awards and recipients are dependent upon available funds.

Eligibility requirements for the high school senior

Eligibility requirements for students currently enrolled in college

  • Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for two years prior to application deadline
  • Be within one year of high school graduation
  • Have scored a minimum of a 20 on the National ACT
  • Have a minimum of a 2.50 cumulative college grade point average
  • Attend an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi
  • Meet income limitations
  • Demonstrate need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Not be in default on a student loan or on any repayment of state awards
  • Enroll and complete full-time enrollment each semester
  • Must be pursuing first certificate, first associate or first bachelors degree

Award Amount

  • Tuition and required fees at a public institution
  • Participants attending a private institution will receive an award amount equal to the award of a student attending the nearest comparable public institution.

Maximum Length of Eligibility
A recipient may receive this scholarship up to 10 semesters (15 trimesters) or degree completion which ever comes first

Awarding Priorities
The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid will make awards on a first come first served based upon our level of funding. However, priority is given to renewal applicants who complete the renewal process by the deadlines.

To Apply

  1. Complete the online application.  This online application must be completed each academic year whether you are a prior recipient or a first-time applicant.
  2. Submit the following supporting documents:
  • Signed copy of the first two pages of parent’s Federal Tax Return for the current tax filing year. Independent students would provide signed copy of student’s Federal Tax Return. Am I Dependent or Independent
  • Signed copy of the first two pages of parent’s State Tax Return for the current tax filing year. Independent students would provide signed copy of student’s State Tax Return.
  • Signed copy of the first two pages of parent’s Federal Tax Return for the prior tax filing year. Independent students would provide signed copy of student’s Federal Tax return.
  • Signed copy of the first two pages of parent’s State Tax Return for the prior tax filing year. Independent students would provide signed copy of student’s State Tax Return.
  • Those that are not required to file a tax return must submit a non tax filer form for the applicable year(s):
    Mississippi Non Tax Filer Form for 2009
    Mississippi Non Tax Filer Form for 2008
    Federal IRS Non Tax Filer Form for 2009
    Federal IRS Non Tax Filer Form for 2008
  • Completed HELP Worksheet 
  • Copy of Mississippi driver’s license, unless you elected to submit it electronically during the online application
  • Verification of completion of specific high school core curriculum

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why must I reapply for HELP every year?
    Current legislation requires “…the board shall create a renewal application for each student who received the award for one or more terms during the immediately preceding academic year.” At a minimum, a student must file the following renewal document no later than the close of business on the deadline date.
  2. Is my grade point average (GPA) checked at the end of each semester or at the end of the academic year? Besides my GPA, what else is checked?
    The grade point average of HELP recipients will be reviewed at the end of the fall semester/trimester; however, continuing eligibility for HELP will be determined annually at the end of the spring semester/trimester. HELP recipients will be monitored for continuous full-time enrollment at the end of each semester/trimester.
  3. My ACT score is 20 (or better) but my high school GPA is less than 2.5. Will I be eligible for HELP after attending my first year of college and establishing a 2.5 GPA on college course work?
    The answer is “yes”; however, HELP awards are made annually therefore when a student has a college GPA of 2.5 (or better) after one regular academic year and meets all other eligibility criteria, that student would be eligible to apply.
  4. My ACT score is 20 (or better) but I did not complete the high school core curriculum requirement. Will I be eligible for HELP after attending my first year of college and establishing a 2.5 GPA on college coursework?
    The answer is “yes”; however, HELP awards are made annually therefore when a student has a college GPA of 2.5 (or better) after one regular academic year and meets all other eligibility criteria, that student would be eligible to apply.
  5. My high school GPA is 2.5 (or better) but my ACT score is below 20. Will I be eligible for HELP after attending college and establishing a 2.5 GPA on college course work?
    The answer is “no”.
  6. I have lost eligibility for HELP. How can I regain eligibility?
    If a student loses HELP eligibility due to less than full-time enrollment status, that student must attend and pay for, without the benefit of HELP funds, one full-time semester or trimester during a regular academic year, before regaining eligibility unless an exception for cause has been granted. If a student loses HELP eligibility due to having less than a 2.5 GPA that student will regain eligibility when the cumulative GPA is improved to the required minimum.
  7. I graduated from high school three years ago and just learned about HELP. Am I eligible to apply?
    The answer is “no”. HELP applicants must apply and qualify for HELP within one year of high school graduation.
  8. Is HELP available to me for summer school?
    The answer is “no”. HELP is available during the regular academic year only.