Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning financial aid programs are focused (like most states) on helping students who intend to pursue teaching or health care as a profession.
Mississippi schools mainly used the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) for federal student loans.
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Education Services Foundation (ESF) was the nonprofit managing company for the Mississippi Higher Education Assistance Corporation (MHEAC).
They offered added benefits and incentives when students got their loans from them.
This ended when the health care bill passed. All government school loans now come from the Direct federal student loan program.
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning- Scholarship Loans
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning mainly focuses on 'scholarship loan programs'. These are awards with a service obligation. If students do not meet the obligation, they must pay back the money. Here are the programs:
Counseling and School Administration Loan/Scholarship (CSA)
- for a public school teacher admitted into a Mississippi Counseling or School Administration graduate program
- agrees to remain employed full-time as a classroom teacher in a Mississippi public school while in graduate school
- award is reimbursement of earned graduate hours
Critical Needs Teacher Loan/Scholarship Program (CNTP)
- for a junior or senior student at a four year Mississippi college
- agrees to work immediately after graduation as a full-time classroom teacher in a Mississippi public school in an area of critical shortage- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is tuition and fees + average cost of room and meals + an allowance for books
Family Medical Education Loan/Scholarship
- Program discontinued- renewals only
Graduate and Professional Degree Loan/Scholarship
- for Mississippi residents who are admitted into an approved out-of-state school for the study of chiropractic medicine, orthotics/prosthetics or podiatric medicine
- agrees to practice the approved medical specialty in Mississippi immediately upon degree completion- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is $7,000 per year
Graduate Teacher Loan/Scholarship (GTS)
-for a public school teacher admitted into a Mississippi graduate school of education
- one year service as a full-time teacher in a Mississippi public school at the same time scholarship is used and for one full academic year following degree completion
- award is reimbursement of earned graduate hours
Health Care Professions Loan/Scholarship
- for a resident junior, senior or graduate student at a Mississippi college majoring in speech pathology, psychology or a graduate major in physical therapy or occupational therapy
- agrees to work at one of the state operated health institutions- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is $1,500 per year for 2 years for undergrads; $3,000 per year for 2 years for graduate students
Nursing Education Loan Scholarship Program (NELS)
- for Mississippi juniors, seniors, and graduates who are pursuing a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing
- agrees to work in public health in Mississippi- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is $4,000 per year for 2 years for degrees except PHD; PHD award is $5,000 for two years
Nursing Teacher Stipend Program (NTSP)
- for Mississippi nurses enrolled in a graduate school of nursing and in the Nursing Education Loan/Scholarship Program
- agrees to teach in an accredited school of nursing in Mississippi after graduation- 2 years of work for each loan year
- for Mississippi students admitted into an approved out of state school for study of optometry or osteopathic medicine
- agrees to practice medicine (patient care) in the specialty area in Mississippi- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award funds are determined annually- award can be for up to 4 years
State Dental Education Loan/Scholarship
- for Mississippi students admitted into the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry for the study of family dentistry
- agrees to practice family dentistry immediately upon graduation in a critical need area of the state- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is tuition for up to 4 years
State Medical Education Loan/Scholarship
- for Mississippi students admitted to the University of Mississippi School of Medicine for the study of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics or obstetrics/gynecology
- agrees to practice their specialty in a critical need area of the state- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is tuition for up to 4 years
Veterinary Medicine Minority Loan Scholarship
- for classified minority Mississippi students admitted to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- agrees to practice veterinary medicine in Mississippi- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is $6,000 per year for up to 4 years
William Winter Teacher Scholar Loan (WWTS)
- for Mississippi juniors or seniors at a four year Mississippi college or university
- agrees to work immediately upon undergraduate degree completion as a full-time classroom teacher in a public school in Mississippi- 1 year of work for each loan year
- award is $4,00 per year for 4 semesters
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning is the agency responsible for administering all of these programs. If you do not qualify for any of these and you still have a tuition gap (after federal loans) you might be seeking private student loans. Check credit unions also, when looking for a private loan lender.
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning assists the education and health majors in their state with loan scholarships. For other majors, there are some need-based grant programs.
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning 3825 Ridgewood Road Jackson, MS 39211-6453 Phone: (601) 432-6647 Toll-Free: (800) 327-2980 Toll-Free Restrictions: MS residents only Fax: (601) 432-6527
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning assists the education and health majors in their state with loan scholarships. For other majors, there are some need-based grant programs.
