Scholarships
Scholarships that open doors for East Mississippi students
Our scholarship programs remove the financial obstacles that stand between talented students and the education they've earned. Whether you're pursuing a four-year degree, community college, or career training, we may be able to help.
Available Scholarships
Programs designed for real East Mississippi students
Every year, we offer a set of named and general scholarships. All awards are need-informed and designed to remove specific financial barriers to enrollment and completion.
Up to $2,500
Rise Above Poverty General Scholarship
Our flagship award for high school seniors and current college students entering or continuing accredited postsecondary programs.
Up to $2,000
First-Generation Scholar Award
For students who will be the first in their immediate family to earn a college degree. Includes an assigned mentor.
Up to $1,500
Career & Trades Scholarship
Supports students pursuing certificates in nursing, welding, HVAC, electrical, information technology, cosmetology, and other accredited trade paths.
Up to $1,000
Community College Persistence Grant
Continuing community college students who have completed at least one semester and are working toward a degree or certificate.
$100 – $500
Emergency Micro-Grants
Reviewed on a rolling basis for students facing an immediate barrier: a required exam fee, a broken laptop, an unexpected transportation cost.
Up to $1,500
Adult Learner & Veteran Award
Non-traditional students, veterans, and returning learners pursuing a new credential or career path.
Eligibility Requirements
Who should apply
- • Currently reside in East Mississippi or graduated from an East Mississippi high school.
- • Plan to enroll — or are currently enrolled — in an accredited college, university, community college, or approved career-training program.
- • Demonstrate financial need (as evidenced by your family's tax return, FAFSA SAI, or a brief personal statement of circumstances).
- • Provide a personal statement describing your goals and how education fits into them.
- • Submit at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach, employer, or community leader.
- • Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA where applicable (exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis).
Required Documents
What to gather
- • Completed online application (or downloadable PDF for those without reliable internet).
- • Most recent transcript (unofficial is acceptable at time of application).
- • One or two letters of recommendation.
- • A personal statement of 500–800 words.
- • Proof of enrollment or admission letter (if available).
- • Optional: FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) or family financial summary.
Application Process
A clear path from interested to awarded
1
Explore
Review available scholarships and confirm you meet the general eligibility criteria.
2
Prepare
Gather transcripts, recommendation letters, and write your personal statement. Attend a free application workshop if you can.
3
Apply
Submit your application online (or by mail) before the annual deadline. Emergency micro-grants can be requested any time.
4
Interview
Finalists may be invited to a brief 20-minute interview with our volunteer review committee — in person or by video.
Selection Criteria
How we choose recipients
We know a scholarship application cannot capture the whole of a young person's life. Reviewers evaluate applications through a rubric that weighs financial need, academic trajectory, personal responsibility, community involvement, and clarity of purpose. Grades matter, but so does a student who works 30 hours a week to help their family — and it shows. We look for evidence that a student will make the most of the opportunity.
Every applicant is reviewed by at least two independent readers. Board members with any relationship to an applicant recuse themselves from that student's review. Final award decisions are approved by the full board of directors.
Scholarship Timeline
Key dates each year
- January: Main scholarship application opens; free FAFSA workshops begin.
- February: Recommendation-letter reminders; application review workshops.
- April: Application deadline; volunteer readers begin.
- May: Finalist interviews; announcement of awards.
- June–August: Award disbursement to schools; mentor matching.
- Year-round: Emergency micro-grants reviewed on a rolling basis.
Tips for Applicants
Small choices that make a big difference
Start early
Great essays are written, then rewritten. Give yourself at least three weeks to draft, revise, and get feedback from a teacher or mentor.
Be specific
Reviewers read hundreds of applications. Concrete details — a class, a job, a challenge, a moment — will always outshine general statements.
Tell your story honestly
You don't need to have overcome the biggest hardship in the room. Reviewers respond to authenticity, self-awareness, and clarity of purpose.
Ask for recommendations early
Give recommenders at least three weeks and share your résumé or a short summary of what you'd like them to highlight.
Proofread out loud
Reading your essay aloud is the fastest way to catch awkward phrasing, missing words, and paragraphs that don't quite connect.
Apply, even if you're unsure
You will always miss 100% of the scholarships you don't apply for. Submit your best effort and let reviewers decide.
Financial Aid Resources
Beyond our scholarships
Our scholarships work alongside federal, state, and institutional aid. Every student should complete the FAFSA (or the alternative application where applicable), research institutional aid at their target schools, and explore Mississippi state aid programs like MTAG, MESG, and HELP. Our Resources page includes step-by-step guides for each of these.
Preparing for College & Career
Not sure where to start?
Whether you're leaning toward a four-year degree, a community college pathway, or a certificate in a skilled trade, the same core preparation applies: strong academic habits, honest self-reflection, and a support network. Our Programs page describes the college readiness, career development, and mentoring supports that pair with every scholarship.
Success Stories
What scholarship recipients say
"The scholarship covered my textbooks and made it possible to keep my part-time job at 15 hours a week instead of 30. I actually had time to study."
Illustrative example based on common recipient experiences
"As a first-generation student, I didn't know what I didn't know. My mentor answered a hundred questions and helped me choose a major I love."
Illustrative example based on common recipient experiences
"I received a micro-grant for my nursing exam fee two weeks before the test. I passed on the first try and I'm working at a local clinic now."
Illustrative example based on common recipient experiences
Apply Now
Scholarship application
Complete the form below to start your application. A member of our review team will follow up by email within 5–7 business days.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
›Do I need a specific GPA to apply?
There is no strict GPA cutoff. We look at a student's whole story — academic record, activities, work, family responsibilities, and personal statement. Most awards go to students maintaining a 2.5+ GPA, but we encourage anyone eligible to apply.
›Can I apply if I already receive other financial aid?
Yes. Our scholarships are designed to complement federal, state, and institutional aid. We often help cover the 'gap' costs — books, fees, transportation, tools — that other aid does not.
›How are recipients selected?
A volunteer review committee reads every complete application. Reviewers consider financial need, academic promise, personal essays, recommendation letters, and community involvement. Final awards are approved by the board.
›Can I re-apply if I don't receive an award?
Absolutely. We encourage students who are not selected to apply again the following cycle. Many of our current recipients applied more than once.
›Are undocumented or DACA students eligible?
Yes. Any East Mississippi student pursuing an accredited postsecondary program is welcome to apply. We do not require a Social Security Number to submit an application.
›How is the scholarship disbursed?
Awards are paid directly to the student's institution to be applied toward tuition, fees, and required materials, or reimbursed to the student with receipts for approved expenses like books and required tools.