AccelerateMS, Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid Launch UPSKILL Mississippi Grant
JACKSON, Miss. — AccelerateMS and the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid launched the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant, creating a new pathway for adult Mississippians to access state financial aid for education and training connected to critical careers.
Created by House Bill 562 during the 2026 legislative session, UPSKILL Mississippi — Upgrading Priority Skills for Key Industry Learning and Labor — provides last-dollar financial assistance to eligible Mississippians enrolled in workforce-aligned certificate and associate degree programs at the state’s public community and junior colleges.
Under the legislation, AccelerateMS is responsible for identifying eligible programs annually based on Mississippi’s priority sectors and occupations. The State Workforce Investment Board has approved the initial list, which includes programs in advanced manufacturing and industrial maintenance, construction and skilled trades, agriculture, transportation and maritime, and healthcare.
View the full list of UPSKILL Mississippi eligible programs here.
“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. Aligning financial aid with priority occupations gives more Mississippians a way to build valuable skills while strengthening the talent pipeline our economy depends on.”
The UPSKILL Mississippi Grant will be administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid. For eligible recipients, the grant will cover remaining tuition and fees after other gift aid has been applied and provide an additional $500 annual stipend for books and materials.
“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. “By pairing state financial aid with programs connected to workforce opportunity, we can help students make informed choices about their education while reducing one of the biggest barriers to completing it.”
To qualify, applicants must meet requirements established in HB 562, including being at least 24 years old, meeting Mississippi residency requirements, completing the FAFSA and Mississippi Aid
Application, and enrolling at least half-time in an eligible program at a Mississippi public community or junior college.
UPSKILL Mississippi goes beyond tuition assistance by requiring participating institutions to provide recipients with additional support designed to help them complete their programs and transition into the workforce. Those supports include advising or success coaching, career planning, connections to paid practicums or apprenticeships when available, and assistance identifying resources for needs such as child care and transportation.
“Mississippi has to be strategic about how we invest in workforce development,” said Sen. Nicole Boyd. “UPSKILL gives us a way to focus state resources on the skills our economy needs most while creating a stronger connection between education, workforce development and the industries driving growth in our state.”
The program will launch with a limited pilot, followed by a full pilot during the 2027-28 academic year and full implementation beginning with the 2028-29 academic year.
“Strengthening Mississippi’s workforce is not a one-year initiative; it is a long-term investment in the future of our state,” said Rep. Donnie Bell. “By continuing to strengthen quality career training and pathways into high-demand fields, we can create opportunities that benefit Mississippi families, communities and employers for years to come.”
“Workforce development isn’t simply about creating more training programs. It’s about making sure our policies, investments and institutions are working together toward the same outcomes,” Taylor said. “UPSKILL Mississippi is another step toward building that kind of system — one that starts with where Mississippi’s economy is going and helps our people get there.”
Adults enrolling in eligible programs at a Mississippi community college may apply now by completing the 2026-27 Mississippi Aid Application (MAAPP) available online at www.msfinancialaid.org. Students who have already completed a 2026-27 MAAPP may apply by logging into their MAAPP Dashboard and updating their application.
Learn more about UPSKILL Mississippi at www.msfinancialaid.org/upskill.
About AccelerateMS
AccelerateMS supports the people and businesses of Mississippi by creating and implementing workforce strategies that link individuals to transformative, high-paying careers. Through strong partnerships and effective grants management, the organization promotes sustained individual, community and statewide economic growth.
About the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid
The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid provides state-funded financial assistance to students in pursuit of postsecondary education. By serving Mississippi students at public, private, two-year, and four-year colleges, the Office helps the state achieve the goal of a more educated citizenry while alleviating critical workforce needs in specific service areas.
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