Frequently Asked Questions

Students who wish to apply for the METP will need to apply and be admitted to MSU.  Once you have been admitted, you may apply to the METP through your student Banner account.

Competitive applicants are expected to have an ACT composite score of 28 or a SAT score of 1310 and a high school GPA of at least 3.5. Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. We receive applications from many highly qualified students and standardized testing is one of many important factors considered in our holistic review.

Yes, all METP fellows must declare a major in elementary education; secondary education with a concentration in either English, mathematics, or science; or special education. However, students can also choose to dual major, or add a minor.

Upon leaving the program to pursue another field, awarded scholarships will be converted into loans and must be repaid within a set amount of time.

Students who are selected to be admitted to the METP will be notified via letter once all award decisions have been made.

The Mississippi Excellence in Teaching program is set up as a loan forgiveness program. If you fulfill the five year teaching commitment, you will never have to pay any money for tuition or fees (which is noted in the loan documentation, of course). However, legally you must sign the loan documentation to acknowledge that if you don't fulfill the teaching commitment, you agree to pay the money back.

The interest rate is three percent.

The financial aid office uses the published Cost of Attendance document to determine how much they will pay each semester for books, meals, housing, tuition, etc. For example, in the fall 2013 semester, they would pay $600 for textbook expenses.

Congratulations! The financial aid office will factor that amount into your award package. The Sponsored Student Programs office is the one that processes "external" scholarships (that is, scholarships that don't come from MSU). For more detailed information, please contact them.

You may apply online here.

In order to retain full privileges of the Honors College, you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.4 and enroll in at least one graded, three-hour Honors course per calendar year.

The master class schedule will show you which honors courses are offered each semester. In the search criteria, select "HON: Honors College," and click the "Display Classes" button. Any section of a course that has an "H" prefix is an honors course.

We encourage everyone to participate, but it is not required.

Upon joining our program, students make a commitment to teach in a Mississippi public school for five years after graduation. However, students can temporarily defer the teaching commitment to pursue graduate school.

No. You must teach in a Mississippi public school to fulfill the teaching commitment, but there are no restrictions whatsoever on which districts or schools you may teach at.

Absolutely! We have a liaison from the Career Center who works exclusively with the College of Education to help our graduates find teaching positions. Mississippi State hosts an Education Interview Day event twice a year where graduates are given a chance to network and interview with school districts across the state of Mississippi.