MAS 2024 County Employee Scholarship Program
Now Accepting Applications
NEW Online Option

MAS is now accepting applications for the 2024 MAS County Employee Scholarship Program until 4:00 p.m. on February 1, 2024. For the first time, we are excited to introduce an online application option!

The Mississippi Association of Supervisors County Employee Scholarship Program will award $500 scholarships to qualifying students in each of Mississippi’s 82 counties meeting the eligibility requirements. Counties will receive up to two $500 scholarships; All counties receive one scholarship based on Association membership. MASIT member counties receive a second scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s county of permanent residence. 

Click HERE to download the Online Instructions then 
Click HERE to start the Online Application After clicking on this link, you will be directed to a landing page, 1.)PLEASE SELECT COMMUNITY - you will see a drop down menu ---- 2.)SELECT COMPETTIONS ----3.) THEN SELECT VIEW COMPETTIONS - you will then need to select 2024 County Employee Scholarship. You MUST CREATE A STUDENT ACCOUNT/LOGIN to begin your application. 

Click HERE to download the Application

Please share this application with your county employees, schools and colleges. 

NEW! Apply Online:

Students my now fill out and submit their application online. For more information on how to submit an application online visit the MAS website.

Why Apply Online?

By applying for the MAS Scholarship online, you'll enjoy a streamlined and convenient process that saves you time and effort. Say goodbye to paperwork, mailing, and email errors– our online application ensures instant submission and the security of your information. Additionally, our online applications has automated checks, ensuring that all required information is provided, reducing the chances of errors or missing documents, which will greatly simplify the application process.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must have an immediate family member (parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, legal guardian or spouse) currently working for or retired from a Mississippi county to be eligible to apply. (Relatives of elected county officials are not eligible.) 

“County employee” means any person working directly for the county government (not a school district, county hospital or other separate entity). 

Eligible:

  • High school seniors
  • Current college students
  • County employees taking college courses
  • County employees’ spouses taking college courses

Not Eligible:

  • Dependents of elected county officials (current or retired)
  • Dependents of teachers, school boards, county-owned hospitals or other non-county government divisions
  • Previous recipients of an MAS scholarship

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How to Submit an Online Application:

The online application process is very simple. In step one applicants will need to create a student account on the MAS portal at https://mas.users.membersuite.com/home. In step two, applicants will navigate to the competition through their account to apply and submit the required documents. For more detailed instructions please click HERE.

Online Application Instructions:
Click HERE to download instructions

Step 1: Creating a Student Account
NOTE: Students who have previously applied already have a student account. Please try logging into the portal using the email you applied with and click “forgot password” to reset the default password. If this does not work, please contact Savanna McCafferty at smccafferty@massup.org.

  1. Visit the MAS Portal at https://mas.users.membersuite.com/home.
  2. In the top right corner, click “Sign up/Join.”
  3. Fill in information.
  4. Click “Sign Up” at bottom.
  5. For the next page, click “Student” as the individual type.
  6. Provide information for all fields.
  7. Once done, click “Next” in the bottom right corner.
  8. Choose the affiliated organization based on the county where Student resides.
  9. For organization role, select “Student.”
  10. Once done, click “Next.”
  11. No action needed for General Communication Settings, so select “Next” and return to home.

Congratulations! You now have a MAS Student account!

Step 2: Apply for the County Employee Scholarship

  1. After MAS Student account is created, make sure to login.
  2. Click “Community” from the menu at the top.
  3. From the dropdown menu, choose “Competitions,” then click “View Open Competitions.”
  4. Locate and click on “2024 MAS County Employee Scholarship.”
  5. Read the scholarship description very carefully.
  6. Click “Enter Now.”
  7. The entry name should be the student’s full name.
  8. Upload all required documents which include:
  • Letter on school letterhead or unofficial transcript proving GPA.
  • Letter on county letterhead verifying sponsor's employment (or retirement) from the county. Letter should be signed by Sponsor's supervisor, human resources clerk or other person of authority. 
  • Your typed essay.
  • Additional pages listing community/civic involvement (if needed). 
  1. Provide information for all text fields marked with a red star.
  2. Click “Next.”
  3. Review all the provided information carefully.
  4. Finally, click “Submit.”

You’ve completed the online scholarship application process. Good luck!

Click HERE to start the Online Application

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How to Submit a Physical Application:

You may email your application and supporting documents to Savanna McCafferty at smccafferty@massup.org or mail to the MAS Office - 793 North President Street, Jackson, MS, 39202 or fax to MAS office at 601.353.2749. Please follow up with an email to Savanna McCafferty to confirm your application was received at the MAS office. Submissions without a confirmation email will be considered ineligible.

Physical Application Instructions:

  1. ALL sections of this application must be completed and submitted with each of the required attachments.  Incomplete applications will be rejected.  Required documents include: 
  • Completed 2024 County Employee Scholarship Application Form.
  • Letter or transcript on school letterhead evidencing student’s current GPA (on a 4.0 scale).  Does not have to be an official transcript, but MUST clearly state GPA.
  • Letter on county letterhead evidencing employment or retirement of Sponsor (non-elected county employee or retired non-elected county employee).  
  • Typed essay (up to 750 words): There are many different roles within county government: supervisor, clerk, sheriff's deputy, road worker, tax assessor, etc. Choose one county official or employee, and discuss the duties and responsibilities of that person.  Be specific and creative.  What does that person do in a typical day at work?  How do they interact with other county offices? How does their job impact you personally, your family and your community?  
  1. Please type or print legibly in blue or black ink.  If additional space is needed, you may attach other pages to the application form. 
  2. Questions? Contact Savanna McCafferty via email at smccafferty@massup.org or by calling 601.353.2741.  
  3. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2024.  Application packets must be received at the MAS Office no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 1, 2024.  Late or incomplete submissions without confirmation will not be considered.

Send completed application with all attachments to:

  • Via U. S. Mail: MAS Scholarship Program, 793 N. President St., Jackson, MS 39202
  • Via email to: smccafferty@massup.org 
  • Via fax to: (601) 353-2749, Attention: Scholarship Program

Click HERE to download the Application

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When to Apply:

Applications must be submitted to the MAS office no later than February 1, 2024 at close of business day to be considered. Contact Savanna McCafferty at 601.353.2741 or via email at smccafferty@massup.org for questions or more information.  We look forward to working with you to promote this scholarship and to assist county employees’ families.  

Eligibility Requirements.  

Applicant must meet all criteria listed below:

  • Applicant must identify an eligible Sponsor. "Sponsor" may be the Applicant or Applicant's immediate family member (parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, legal guardian, or spouse) who is currently employed by or retired from Mississippi county government.  
  • Dependents of elected county officials are not eligible for this Scholarship Program. 
  • Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi. 
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and demonstrate community/civic involvement. 
  • Applicant must be enrolled (or plan to enroll) in an accredited public Mississippi college, junior or community college, or university for the Fall 2024 semester.  
  • If awarded a scholarship, Applicant must sign a Statement of Intent to attend an accredited public Mississippi college, junior or community college, or university for the Fall 2024 semester.  Failure to sign the Statement of Intent before August 1, 2024 will result in forfeiture of scholarship.  A sample Statement of Intent is available here.  

Scholarship FAQs.

1.  What is MAS?  

The Mississippi Association of Supervisors (MAS) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit support association for Mississippi’s 82 counties. Since its inception in 1908, MAS has been committed to the improvement of county government across our state.  Find out more at our website www.mssupervisors.org. 

2.  Who is eligible to apply?

The MAS County Employee Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors, current college students, homeschooled students meeting eligibility criteria, and county employees or their spouses taking college courses.  Applicant must be enrolled (or plan to enroll) in an accredited public Mississippi college, junior or community college, or university for the Fall 2024 semester.   

Applicants must have an immediate family member (parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, legal guardian, or spouse) who is a current or retired employee of one of Mississippi’s 82 counties.  Dependents of elected county officials are not eligible for this scholarship program. 

3.  What is the deadline to apply?

Completed applications must be received at the MAS office no later than 4:30 p.m., February 1, 2024. 

Applications must be mailed to MAS Scholarship Program, 793 N. President St., Jackson, MS 39202; emailed to smccafferty@massup.org; or faxed to 601.349.2749, Attn: Scholarship Program. 

4.  My (parent/grandparent) works for a county, but I live in another state.  Can I apply for this scholarship?

No.  Applicants must be a U. S. citizen and a legal resident of the State of Mississippi. 

5.  My (parent/grandparent) works for a county, but I live in a different county in Mississippi.  Can I apply for this scholarship?

Yes.  Scholarships are awarded based on the Applicant’s county of permanent residence, which does not have to be the same county for which the qualifying family member works. 

6.  My (parent/grandparent) is an elected official (Supervisor/Chancery Clerk/Circuit Clerk/Tax Assessor/Sheriff/etc.).  Can I apply for this scholarship?  What if they are a retired elected official?

No.  Because of Mississippi ethics laws, elected county officials are not eligible sponsors for this program, regardless of whether they are currently in office or retired.  

7.  Are county school districts, teachers/educators or county hospital employees eligible? 

No.  Only those directly employed by (or retired from) a county government are eligible.  County school districts, county hospitals and other county-owned businesses are separate entities, not county departments. Sponsor must receive pay check from the county (i.e., Hinds County, Mississippi), and not from a separate entity (i.e., Hinds County School District).  

8.  I applied for the MAS County Employee Scholarship last year but was not awarded a scholarship.  May I apply this year? 

Yes, you may reapply this year as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. 

9.  I was awarded an MAS County Employee Scholarship last year.  May I apply again this year? 

No, the scholarship is a one-time award.