Types of Financial Aid

PELL GRANT

A Federal Pell Grant, generally, does not need to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. How much you will receive depends on the expected family contribution (which is determined by the U.S. Department of Education) whether you are a full-time or part-time student and whether you attend school for a full academic year or less. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed each year.

SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is for undergraduates with exceptional need. An FSEOG does not need to be repaid. There is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able to receive an FSEOG; the student will be awarded on the basis of availability of funds at our school, on a first-come, first-serve basis. To be considered for this award you must have a complete FAFSA on file at BMC. BMC priority filing date is March 1.

MTAG - MISSISSIPPI RESIDENT TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT

The Mississippi Tuition Assistant Grant (MTAG) is available for all majors--freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors--who have been a state of Mississippi resident for at least one year, maintained at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, have scored at least 15 on the national ACT, and who have been in continuous full-time enrollment. This application is to be completed annually on-line at www.mississippi.edu. Application deadline is September 15 of each year. You may also view complete eligibility requirements and other information on this site.

MTAG awards may be up to $500 per academic year for freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 per academic year for juniors and seniors. Funds will be made available to eligible participants for eight semesters or the normal time required to complete the degree program, whichever comes first. MTAG awards are subject to pro-ration which means that award amounts may be less than the amounts stated above.

MESG - MISSISSIPPI EMINENT SCHOLARS GRANT

The application for Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) is the same as for MTAG. However, to qualify first-time applicants must be entering freshmen with at least a 3.5 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale and a national ACT score of at least 29. This application is to be completed annually on-line at www.mississippi.edu. Application deadline is September 15 of each year. You may also view complete eligibility requirements and other information on this site.

MESG awards may be up to $2500 per academic year, but may not exceed tuition and required fees at the attending institution. No student may receive an MESG for longer than the equivalent semesters required to complete one bachelor's degree or eight semesters, whichever comes first.

WILLIAM WINTER TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP/LOAN PROGRAM

William Winter funds are available for those who wish to become classroom teacher and address Mississippi’s teacher shortage. Eligibility requirements are that you must be a resident of the state of Mississippi and agree to teach in Mississippi. Students must be a junior or senior at a Mississippi college or university. Annual renewal of the William Winter application is required. Applications may be completed online at www.mississippi.edu.  You may also view complete eligibility requirements and other information on this site. Application deadline is March 31 of each year.

To fulfill the teaching commitment of this scholarship one must complete one year's service for one year of loan received. Teaching service is defined as being employed as a full-time classroom teacher in a Mississippi public school.

Junior and Senior participants are eligible to receive up to $4,000 per year. Eligible participants may continue to receive funds for the normal time required to complete the teacher education curriculum. For purposes of WWTS, the normal time required to complete the teacher education curriculum will be determined by when the student began the teacher education curriculum but cannot exceed two semesters for each classification. Maximum eligibility is $8,000. 

CNTP - CRITICAL NEEDS TEACHER PROGRAM

Critical Needs Teacher Program (CNTP) Scholarships are available for those who wish to become classroom teacher and address Mississippi’s teacher shortage. Students must be a junior or senior at a Mississippi college or university, have passed or documented exemption status for the Praxis I, and enrolled full-time or part-time with a minimum of six hours. Recipients agree to become employed immediately upon degree completion as a full-time classroom teacher in a Mississippi public school located in a critical teacher shortage area or in a subject shortage area of the state. Annual renewal of the CNTP program is required. Applications may be completed online at www.mississippi.edu.  Application deadline is March 31 of each year. You may also view complete eligibility requirements and other information on this site.

HELP – Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students

The Higher Education Legislative Plan for Needy Students (HELP) is available for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors--who have been a state of Mississippi resident for at least two years, maintained at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, have scored at least 20 on the national ACT, and met specific high school core curriculum and income limitations. This application is to be completed annually on-line at www.mississippi.edu. Application deadline is March 31 of each year. You may also view complete eligibility requirements and other information on this site.

Graduate Teacher, Counselor, School Administration Loan/Scholarship (GTS)

The Graduate Teacher, Counselor, School Administration Loan/Scholarship Program (GTS) was designed as an incentive to encourage current licensed classroom teachers in our state’s public schools to pursue an advanced degree in education. The primary objective is to place master’s level teachers in our public school classroom and counseling and administration positions. . Applications may be completed online at www.mississippi.edu.  Application deadline is March 31 of each year. You may also view complete eligibility requirements and other information on this site.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete the service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed each year.

STAFFORD LOAN (Federal Direct Subsidized)

The Federal Subsidized Direct Loan is a low-interest loan made to students who demonstrate financial need based upon results from their Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). Undergraduates may borrow $3,500 for the freshman year, $4,500 for the sophomore year, and $5,500 for the junior and senior years. Undergraduate students may borrow an aggregate limit of $23,000. Repayment begins after a six-month grace period once the student graduates, withdraws or drops below half-time status. Repayment may take as long as ten years.

STAFFORD LOAN (Federal Direct Unsubsidized)

The Federal Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan is a low-interest loan made to students and is not based upon financial need. Students may borrow a combination of Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans but may not exceed the annual or maximum loan limits. Repayment terms are the same as the Federal Subsidized Direct Loan.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for a Direct PLUS Loan to help pay their child's education expenses as long as certain eligibility requirements are met. For a Direct PLUS Loan, the parent must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note (MPN) online at www.dlenote.ed.gov. Beginning with the 2011-2012 the student must also have a complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM

The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs to students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses. To apply for work study a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA). The federal work-study wage will be the current federal minimum wage. The federal work-study award depends on when the student applies, the level of need, and the funds available for our school.

COLLEGE WORK-STUDY PROGRAM

This is a Campus-Monitored Work-Study Program which offers on-campus jobs for students who do not qualify for federal work-study. To apply for work study a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA).  Students are paid monthly. The availability of jobs depends on funds available, student skills, and needs of campus departments.

CRV – CHURCH-RELATED VOCATION SCHOLARSHIP

Church-Related Vocation Scholarship is available to a full-time student studying for a church-related vocation who is a member of a Mississippi Southern Baptist church. Renewal applicants must meet the above criteria and have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. This scholarship is renewable annually. The deadline to apply is September 15 for Fall and January 15 for Spring.  Applications are available in both the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Admissions.

GENERAL INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

The Office of Financial Aid processes all General Institutional Scholarships. For more information on deadlines and any other questions, you may contact Carla Benson, Gift Processing and Scholarship Manager, at 662-685-4771 (Ext. 150) or cbenson@bmc.edu.

Office of Financial Aid
662-685-4771 (Ext. 145 or 141)
E-mail:  financialaid@bmc.edu