New UPSKILL Mississippi Grant can help training for in-demand careers at MCC
Adults interested in training for several high-demand careers at Meridian Community College may now qualify for new state financial aid through the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant.
UPSKILL Mississippi is known as Upgrading Priority Skills for Key Industry Learning and Labor.
At MCC, eligible students may receive assistance while enrolled in Diesel Mechanic Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) programs.
The new grant, launched by AccelerateMS and the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, is designed for Mississippi adults age 24 and older who want to earn a certificate or associate degree that can lead to an in-demand career.
UPSKILL Mississippi can cover eligible tuition and fees that remain after other grants and gift aid are applied. Students who receive the grant also will receive a $500 annual stipend for books and materials.
The program was created by the Mississippi Legislature through House Bill 562 during the 2026 legislative session. AccelerateMS identifies programs that qualify based on workforce needs across the state, while the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid manages the grant.
“UPSKILL is about being more intentional with the tools we already have,” said Dr. Courtney Taylor, executive director of AccelerateMS. “When we know where Mississippi has workforce shortages and where employers are creating opportunity, we should be reducing barriers that keep people from connecting to those opportunities,” Dr. Taylor said.
“Aligning financial aid with priority occupations gives more Mississippians a way to build valuable skills while strengthening the talent pipeline our economy depends on,” Dr. Taylor added.
“UPSKILL Mississippi could be a great help for adults who want to come back to school and train for a better job,” said Dr. Lara Collum, MCC vice president for workforce solutions and dean of nursing. “It gives eligible students one more way to make college affordable, while also helping our community build the skilled workforce local employers need,” she added.
Eligible programs across Mississippi include career fields such as advanced manufacturing, industrial maintenance, construction and skilled trades, agriculture, transportation and health care.
To be considered for UPSKILL Mississippi, students must meet requirements set by state law, including: Be at least 24 years old, meet Mississippi residency requirements, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), complete the Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP), enroll at least half time in an eligible program at a Mississippi public community or junior college.
“UPSKILL Mississippi creates an important new opportunity for adult Mississippians who may have thought the cost of returning to school to pursue a credential or degree was out of reach,” said Dr. Jennifer Rogers, executive director of the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid.
Students receiving the grant also will have access to support aimed at helping them finish their programs and enter the workforce. Depending on the college and program, that may include academic advising, career planning, help finding paid practicums or apprenticeships, and connections to resources for needs such as child care and transportation.
The program will begin with a limited pilot before expanding during the 2027-28 academic year. Full implementation is planned for the 2028-29 academic year.
Adults interested in an eligible MCC program can apply now by completing the 2026-27 Mississippi Aid Application, or MAAPP, at msfinancialaid.org.
Students who have already submitted a 2026-27 MAAPP can log in to their MAAPP Dashboard and update their application.
More information about the grant, including eligibility requirements, is available at msfinancialaid.org/upskill.