EMCC Scholarships

• Scholarship applications will not be accepted after August 1 for fall semester enrollees or January 2 for spring semester enrollees. If you enroll in the fall but miss the scholarship application deadline you will not be allowed to apply for scholarships for the spring semester. You must meet the scholarship application deadline for the first semester you enroll.
• The admissions file must be complete before a student is considered eligible for scholarships. At a minimum, the student must have completed an admissions application.  The EMCC Scholarship Application will not be considered without the completion of the admissions application. Both applications must be completed by deadline dates as specified in the first bullet.
• The applicant must be a Mississippi resident enrolling as a full-time (15 hours or more), first-time freshman in the fall or spring semester following high school graduation. Transfer students are not eligible to apply.
• The applicant must meet the required criteria of each specific scholarship for which they are applying. For ACT-based scholarships, the ACT composite score on file at the application deadline date for the semester the student plans to enroll is the score that will be used. ACT Superscore is not accepted for scholarship considerations.
• Scholarships are only awarded for fall and spring semesters unless the program in which the student is enrolled requires a summer semester (Licensed Practical Nursing and Cosmetology).
• Scholarships are awarded and/or renewed for either two or four semesters, depending upon the scholarship criteria.
  • Multiple scholarships can be applied to all costs (tuition, books, fees, room and board, etc.), however, ACT-based scholarships cannot be stacked.
• No refunds will be given in the event scholarship amounts exceed expenses.
• Progress is checked after each semester. If the required grade point average (GPA) or 15 hour course load is not maintained throughout the semester the student will receive the scholarship under a probationary period during the following semester. If the GPA or course load is not maintained during the probationary semester the scholarship is lost.
• If 15 semester hours are not maintained throughout the first six weeks of any given semester the scholarship is lost for that semester and any subsequent semesters. If you drop below 15 hours within the first six weeks it is possible to enroll in a future term within that same semester (i.e. a mini-term offered within the same semester) in order have enough hours to regain the 15 hour requirement.
• No student will receive institutional scholarships for repeated classes that were successfully completed with a grade of C or higher and those classes will not count toward the 15 semester credit hours required for institutional scholarships.

Amount: $700 per semester
Criteria: ACT 20-23 Composite ACT Superscore is not accepted for scholarship considerations.

 APPLY HERE

Amount: $1,400 per semester. 
Criteria: ACT 24-28 Composite ACT Superscore is not accepted for scholarship considerations.

 APPLY HERE

Amount: $3,500 per semester. 
Criteria: ACT 29+ Composite ACT Superscore is not accepted for scholarship considerations.
Renewal: Maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0.

APPLY HERE

Amount: $500 per semester.
Criteria: Rank first or second in high school graduating class.
Renewal: Maintain cumulative GPA of 3.0. 

APPLY HERE

Resident of Noxubee, Lowndes, Lauderdale, Clay, Oktibbeha, Kemper, or Calhoun counties

• Requirement: Student must be a graduate of a High School within the EMCC service district.
• Amount: Varies, not to exceed the cost of tuition per semester (This award in combination with all other aid cannot exceed the cost of tuition).
• Criteria: Complete FAFSA. | Complete MTAG/MESG. | Apply for EMCC Scholarships | Possess a high school or home-school diploma. 
• Renewal: Cumulative 2.50 GPA (2.00 for Calhoun residents) and successfully complete a minimum of 15 hours each term (failure results in scholarship loss).

Transfer Student & Resident of Noxubee, Lowndes, Lauderdale, Clay, Oktibbeha, or Kemper counties

• Requirement: Student must be a transfer of an accredited college or university & a high school graduate within the last 18 months
• Amount: Varies, not to exceed the cost of tuition per semester (This award in combination with all other aid cannot exceed the cost of tuition).
• Criteria: Complete FAFSA. | Complete MTAG/MESG. | Apply for EMCC Scholarships | Possess a high school diploma.
• Resident: Noxubee, Lowndes, Lauderdale, Clay, Oktibbeha, or Kemper counties only.
• Renewal: Cumulative 2.50 GPA and successfully complete a minimum of 15 hours each term (failure results in scholarship loss).

Our Fall application deadline is August 1st Spring January 2.  

APPLY HERE  

Minimum Requirements:     

• Complete an application for admission to EMCC and an application for the Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholarship.
• Be classified as a first-time, full-time (15 semester credit hours minimum) student with a residence status of in-district (must reside in one of these counties: Clay, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lowndes, Noxubee or Oktibbeha).  Must enroll in the Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Division at EMCC to be eligible.
• Submit a statement of no more than 300 words that describes how the student’s educational goals (college major) and career goals support the automotive manufacturing industry.                                             

Maximum Award:                 

Scholarship is $500 per semester; renewable up to 3 additional semesters for a total of $2,000 per student.

• If all student charges are covered by other scholarships and aid, the Toyota-Haley Barbour Scholarship will be refunded to the student.

Scholarship Renewal:  Each scholarship recipient must submit a renewal application after the first year and adhere to the following requirements to continue receiving the scholarship for the maximum of four semesters.

• Maintain continuous full-time enrollment (15 semester credit hours minimum) each fall and spring term, including a prescribed sequence of honors courses. Maximum award is for four (4) semesters.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher on all coursework.

 APPLY HERE

Amount: $1,800 per semester.

Criteria: Enrolled in a high school vocational center in a county from Noxubee, Lowndes, Lauderdale, Clay, Oktibbeha, or Kemper. | Recommendation by the Vocational Director. | Only one award per Vocational Center.

Questions? Call Lion Central on the Golden Triangle campus at 662.243.1920 or on the Scooba campus at 662.476.5079.

Amount: Free tuition for only one 3 hour course.

Criteria: Awarded to CCAF graduates. | Use within two semesters of graduation. | Send CCAF graduation certificate with EMCC schedule to CAFB campus.

Questions? Call CAFB at 662.434.2660.

Departmental Scholarship Application

To Be Considered:

• Be currently enrolled or be a transfer student who is certificate or degree seeking and in good standing.
• A Mississippi resident.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the year of enrollment by visiting studentaid.gov. 
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester beginning in the fall term.
• Transfer students must have a completed admissions application on file and must request an official copy of all precious college transcripts.
• Awards are for fall and spring semesters. The spring award is contingent on completing a minimum of 15 hours and having a 2.5 GPA or higher.

Actual award amounts will vary from $500 to $1000 per year.

Scholarship awards will be based on availability of funds. 

Incomplete applications or applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.  

Completing the application does not guarantee a scholarship will be awarded.

All award recipients must reapply annually to be considered again.

 APPLY HERE

 APPLY HERE

Amount: Varies. 
Criteria: Application. | Audition.
Questions? Recruiting at the Scooba campus at recruiting@eastms.edu.

The audition will determine the student’s vocal range, as well as his or her ability to match and remember pitches.  Ability to harmonize and read music will also be assessed.  The student will not be required to prepare anything in advance for the audition, which will take about 10 minutes.

 APPLY HERE

Amount: Varies. 
Criteria: Application. | Audition.
Questions? Contact Jamie Taylor, Music Instructor at the Golden Triangle campus at jtaylor@eastms.edu or 662.243.2688

Students will be required to sing a prepared song and then vocalize using scales.

 APPLY HERE

APPLY HERE

APPLY HERE

 APPLY HERE

Amount: $500 per semester for 1st year RAs; $750 per semester for 2nd year RAs 
Criteria: Application. | Interview.
Questions? Contact the Housing Department at 662.476.5443.

 APPLY HERE

Ms. Margaret Pansy Light established this scholarship endowment in memory of her mother, Madie Peden Light.  Recipient must be a sophomore resident of Mississippi and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Industrial Company established this scholarship endowment for students entering the industrial maintenance and construction fields of study.  Recipient must maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. T. L. Cloar, Jr. established this scholarship endowment.  Recipient must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

Dr. and Mrs. John Clay established this scholarship endowment in honor of Dr. Rick Young.  Recipient must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

AT&T established this scholarship endowment.  Recipient must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. Charles E. Box established this scholarship endowment.  Recipient must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mrs. Oneta P. Baker was a 1942 graduate of EMJC.  She established this scholarship endowment as a way to give back to future generations.  Recipient must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Ms. Betty Morgan Benton established this scholarship endowment in memory of her mother and grandmother.  Priority will be given to a music major/participant in a music program. Recipient must have a minimum 18 ACT score and maintain a 2.75 grade point average.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. Jimmy Galloway established this scholarship in honor of his wife, Pam, and in memory of her father, Ray Gildon. Their son, Brandt and his wife, Martha, transitioned the family’s annual scholarship into an endowed scholarship. Recipients must be pursuing a degree or certificate in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average, and demonstrate financial need. Priority will be given to students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program; however, eligible students in other CTE programs may be considered if qualified applicants from Automotive Technology are not available.

Application for Foundation Scholarships

A scholarship in memory of Rod HItt has been established by his children Craig Hitt and Connie Joyner who both received associate degrees from EMCC. This $500.00 scholarship will be awarded to a graduate of West Lauderdale High School enrolled in Foresty program or other technical programs offered on the EMCC Scooba Campus. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 or better grade average. Should there not be an eligible student from West Lauderdale, graduates from other Lauderdale County Schools may be considered.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. Dewayne Hull established this scholarship endowment in memory of his wife, Mrs. Lucy Hull.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to a sophomore pursuing an academic major on the Scooba campus.  The recipient must be nominated by an EMCC faculty member.  Recipient must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, demonstrate financial need, and leadership skills. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. John Meacham, Jr. established this scholarship endowment to honor Hope Dulaney Meacham for her distinguished serviced to EMCC.  Recipient may be either an academic or career-technical student.  Recipient must be a resident of the state of Mississippi and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

The M-OADN established this scholarship endowment to assist an associate degree nursing student in good standing who is also a member of the student organization.  Recipient must maintain a 3.0 grade point average with preference to a student with financial need.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Pilot Club of Columbus, MS established this scholarship to assist an incoming freshman from Lowndes County.  Recipient must attend the Golden Triangle Campus.  Preference will be given to a student pursuing a career dealing with brain related injuries and/or disabilities.  Recipient must apply for all state and federal assistance and demonstrate financial need.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. John D. Gerhart established this scholarship endowment in order to help deserving students.  Preference will be given to a student who attends the Scooba campus.  Recipient must maintain a 2.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

The family of Joshua Reed has established this scholarship in memory of Joshua, a recent EMCC graduate.  The Joshua Reed Scholarship will be awarded to a utility line worker technology program student.  Recipient must maintain a 2.5 grade point average and demonstrate financial need with preference given to a Winston County resident. Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Rush family established this scholarship in memory of Janan, a popular instructor who oversaw the surgical tech program.  The Janan L. Rush Scholarship will be awarded annually to a second semester student who exemplifies dedication, resiliency and commitment to growing in the field.  The recipient must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and provide a letter of recommendation from an EMCC Surgical Technology instructor.

Application for Foundation Scholarships

Dr. Hari Sharma established this scholarship in memory of his wife Anita.  Priority will be given to a female student that is majoring in math and science related fields. Recipient must demonstrate a financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

 Mrs. Debra Sullivan established this scholarship in memory of her aunt, Ruth Rogers, a former librarian at EMCC and her husband, Pat Rogers.  This scholarship is established in order to help a deserving Phi Theta Kappa student that demonstrates a financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Starkville Bridges Out of Poverty and Phillips Financial established this scholarship to help returning Veterans coming back to technical school after serving our country.  Preference will be given to Veterans that have been deployed and served in the middle east and that are from Oktibbeha County.  Veterans must demonstrate a financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. William W. (Will) Botts, Jr. established this scholarship endowment in order to help deserving students who attended and graduated high school in Kemper County.  Recipient must attend the Scooba campus, major and study in mathematics and science fields, and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Dennis D. and Leola K. Cowart scholarship was established by the Cowart family in memory of Dennis and to honor the profession of Leola.  This scholarship was established to assist a deserving nursing student that demonstrates a financial need. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. Jack Forbus established this scholarship in honor of his parents who met and fell in love on the Scooba campus.  Recipient must demonstrate financial need, have strong work ethic, show leadership skills and maintain a 2.5 grade point average. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. and Mrs. Grady Hopper established this scholarship endowment in memory of their son, Joseph Grady Hopper.  The scholarship will be awarded annually to an academic major on the Scooba campus.  Recipient must have a minimum 22 ACT score and maintain a 3.0 grade point average. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Columbus Light and Water established this scholarship to be awarded to former students of the Columbus Municipal School District who enroll in the noncredit Heavy Civil Construction or Utility Lineworker Technology programs. Recipients must be first-time college students who attend EMCC full time.  Application for Foundation Scholarships

Dr. Raj Shaunak and his family established this scholarship in memory of his sister Shaku.  Priority will be given to a female student that is majoring in manufacturing technology. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. Application for Foundation Scholarships

Eddie Al and Cheryl Sparkman established this scholarship to assist a full-time student who is a resident of Kemper County and enrolled in an academic or career-technical program on the Scooba Campus. Recipient must have graduated from either Kemper County High School or Kemper Academy, maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0, and demonstrate financial need.
Application for Foundation Scholarships

Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Hildreth and Mr. & Mrs. David Schoggen established this scholarship in memory of Carl M. (Buck) Hildreth. First priority will be given to residence of Lowndes County Mississippi (If there is no applicant from Lowndes County, Mississippi than a qualifying student from another Mississippi county may be selected). Recipient must be enrolled in the Funeral Service Technology program, maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average, and demonstrates financial need.

Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Blount-Dudley Memorial Endowed Scholarship was set up in memory of John Russell Dudley, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth McDade Dudley and Curran Wilton Blount and Bessie Fail Moseley Blount. Preference shall be given to a graduate of Kemper Academy or Kemper County High School pursuing an academic or career-technical degree, deserving student(s) must maintain a minimum G.P.A of 2.5, and demonstrate financial need.

Application for Foundation Scholarships

Boeing’s InVEST scholarship will focus on removing financial barriers for students with demonstrated financial need in relevant disciplines including: engineering technology, drafting and design; precision manufacturing and machining technology; mechatronics technology; industrial maintenance technology; systems-based automation control technology; electrical technology; welding technology; automotive technology, diesel mechanics; computer networking technology; computer programming technology; network security technology. Veterans entering a two-year associates of applied science degree pathway will be award $250 per semester over four semesters for a total of $1,500

Application for Foundation Scholarships

Cleatus and Harriett Doyel established this annual scholarship in memory of their nephew, John Dodds Gentry.  Priority will be given to active military or veteran (valid military ID or copy of DD214 required).  Recipient must be a resident of Mississippi, graduate of a high school or homeschool program in MS, enrolled in Culinary Arts, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and demonstrate financial need. 

Application for Foundation Scholarships

The mother of Anihya Tyshea Nesbitt established this scholarship in memory of her daughter. The Anihya Tyshea’s Purpose Scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program. Recipient must be a resident of Mississippi, maintain a 3.0 grade point average and demonstrate financial need. 

Application for Foundation Scholarships

The love story of Buster and Jeanie Orr began in September 1955 at East Mississippi Junior College. Their time at EMJC left a lasting impression, and this scholarship was established as a way to honor their journey while giving back to future generations of students. Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need and provide a recommendation letter from the EMCC Campus Ministry. 

Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Buster and Jeanie Orr Endowed Scholarship was established to ensure that their legacy of faith, love, and generosity will continue to touch the lives of East Mississippi Community College students for generations to come. Buster and Jeanie’s journey began in September 1955 on the campus of East Mississippi Junior College. Their time at EMJC not only shaped their education but also sparked a lifelong partnership rooted in commitment to one another, their family, and their community. Through this endowed scholarship, the Orrs sought to give back to the institution that played such a meaningful role in their story. Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need and provide a recommendation letter from the EMCC Campus Ministry. 

Application for Foundation Scholarships

Bob Wade established this scholarship to support students pursuing careers in diesel mechanics. His generosity ensures that future generations of skilled technicians will have the financial assistance needed to complete their education and enter a high-demand field. Recipients must demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled in the Diesel Mechanics program. 

Application for Foundation Scholarships

The Impact Scholarship Program: A New Vision for EMCC

The East Mississippi Community College Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the Impact Scholarship Program, a distinctive new initiative made possible through the vision of an anonymous donor.

This donor has established this program for a one-year inaugural period at every community college across the state of Mississippi. At EMCC, this manifests as a $27,500 total gift, meticulously designed to recognize academic achievement, provide a safety net for students in need, and honor the educators who shape our future.

As we launch this first year, the EMCC Foundation is actively seeking a visionary local donor to partner with us to sustain and grow this program for future Lions.

How the Impact Gift Supports Our Students

The total $27,500 commitment is allocated to provide holistic support for the 2026-2027 academic year:

Scholarship Award & Eligibility

Twenty recipients of the Impact Scholarship receive a $1,000 total annual award:

• $500 for the Fall 2026 Semester     
• $500 for the Spring 2027 Semester

Eligibility is based on:

• Academic Achievement: Demonstrated success in the classroom.
• Financial Need: Verified financial need.
• Enrollment: Planning to enroll or currently enrolled as a Full-Time student at EMCC for the Fall 2026 Semester.
• The Impact Teacher Essay: A required 300–500-word reflection in which students share the story of a teacher or professor who made the most significant difference in their lives.

The Annual Impact Teacher Luncheon

The Impact Scholarship goes beyond financial support by formally recognizing the mentor identified in each recipient's essay.

Each year, scholarship recipients and their honored educators are invited to a special luncheon hosted by the EMCC Foundation. This event brings together students, educators, and EMCC leadership to celebrate the powerful role teachers play in shaping lives. The luncheon serves as a public expression of gratitude and a reminder of the enduring impact of mentorship in education.

Apply for the Impact Scholarship

• Application Deadline: April 15, 2026
•  foundation@eastms.edu For more information call 662-476-5063

A Call to Support Our Future

While this inaugural year is funded by a generous anonymous gift, the EMCC Foundation is looking for a partner to ensure this program—and the vital Emergency Fund—becomes a permanent fixture of our campus culture.

If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring the Impact Scholarship Program for future years, please contact the EMCC Foundation Office 662-476-5063 or email foundation@eastms.edu

Click Here to Apply for Impact Scholarship Program