FINANCIAL AID

Graduate and Professional Degree Loan/Scholarship (STSC)

Program Overview
Mississippi funds are available for those interested in Chiropractic medicine, orthotics/prosthetics or podiatric medicine.

Important Dates
Application deadline: March 31
Document deadline: July 31

The dates are important as the number of awards and recipients are dependent upon available funds.

Eligibility
You may be eligible if all of the following apply:

• Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to application
• Be fully admitted to an approved out-of-state institution
• Agree to service as a licensed health care provider in an approved discipline in Mississippi
• Enroll and maintain full-time enrollment

Click here for a complete listing of eligibility requirements.

Award Amount and Length of Eligibility
Average award amount up to $7,000 annually (varies by discipline and institution) for the normal time required to complete the degree curriculum

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

Service Obligation
The loan to service obligation must be rendered in Mississippi for a period of, not less than, one year's service for one year of scholarship received. Service is defined as the practice of medicine (patient care) in the specialty area for which the scholarship was received. Click here for important information on service requirements and penalties for non compliance.

To Apply

1. Complete the online application by the application deadline of March 31. This online application must be completed each academic year whether you are a prior recipient or a first-time applicant.
2. Submit an official Letter of Acceptance from the educational institution the applicant plans to attend, showing date admitted and entering classification.
3. If currently enrolled, submit a Letter of Good Standing from the Registrar’s Office.
4. Submit two of the following three documents for residency verification by the deadline date of July 31:

• Signed copy of the first two pages of your (and your spouse if married)MS Resident Individual Income Tax Return for the current tax filing year; or
• The results from having completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); or
• Copy of Mississippi driver’s license, unless you elected to submit it electronically during the online application.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens to my award if I drop classes during the semester?
   Should a recipient fail, withdraw from, or have to repeat any course, he/she is suspended from participation in the program and his/her awards are stopped until such time he/she has the proper official at his/her institution inform the Board that he/she is ready to advance.
2. How is "good standing" determined?
   The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid will abide by the determination of the attending institution regarding grade point average, enrollment status, program of study and any other information which involves your eligibility for initial consideration and continuing program participation. There will be no reimbursement for challenged, audited or prerequisite courses which are required to be accepted into a school. If you have questions regarding these issues, you must contact the school you are attending for resolution.
3. If awarded STSC, when and how are the funds made available to me?
   All STSC awards are made payable to the institution with the student (you) designated as the recipient. It is the student's responsibility at the end of each term to request his/her school's registrar to mail an official transcript to us. Funds will be delivered to the school and credited to your student account after verification by our office that you are enrolled in the required credit hours, have maintained the required GPA and are continuing to pursue the appropriate program of study. Every effort is made to deliver funds to the appropriate school by registration each semester.
4. How do I receive a Service Cancellation or Service Deferment?
   Please review the instructions and complete the appropriate form at ACS - Campus Products and Services.