HELP vs. MTAG vs. other Mississippi scholarships — what's the difference?

[BenTiller]

I've been researching Mississippi state scholarships and it's SO confusing. Here's what I've pieced together from the Office of Student Financial Aid website :

HELP (Higher Education Legislative Plan)

• Covers full tuition and required fees at Mississippi public universities
• Requires 29 ACT score and 3.5 GPA in high school
• Must have financial need (determined by FAFSA)
• Renews if you maintain 3.5 GPA in college

MTAG (Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant)

• Up to $500 per year for freshmen/sophomores
• Up to $1,000 per year for juniors/seniors
• Requires 15 ACT score and 2.5 GPA
• Based on financial need, but less competitive than HELP

MESG (Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant)

• $2,500 per year
• Requires 29 ACT and 3.5 GPA
• Academic merit, not need-based

Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Scholarship

• For dependents of law enforcement/firefighters killed or disabled in line of duty
• Covers tuition and fees

Nursing Education Scholarship Program

• For students pursuing nursing degrees
• Requires commitment to work in Mississippi after graduation

The deadlines are March 31 for priority consideration . I'm trying to apply for everything I qualify for.

For students who've received these: how competitive were they? Did you have to do anything besides fill out the FAFSA? I need all the help I can get.