| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | February 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) | November 1, 2026 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $3,000–$4,000; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Sliding-scale tuition by household income: $200–$3,000. Estimated family tuition and fees by income; families can request additional aid on the enrollment form after acceptance.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Sliding-scale tuition by household income: $200–$3,000. Estimated family tuition and fees by income; families can request additional aid on the enrollment form after acceptance.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | On-campus boarding: $0. Covered by program funders.; Food: $0. Covered by program funders. (2027 cycle) | Room: $0; Meals: $0 (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 6–10 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher | Grades 10–11 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 6–10 when applying; Requirement: Junior Division: in grade 6, 7 or 8 during the school year of application; Requirement: Senior Division: in grade 9 or 10, with at least a B average for the last full school term and the current year; Requirement: Classified as gifted by a Louisiana public school system, or scores on an acceptable aptitude test | Residency: Texas high school students; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Students enrolled in summer school during the program dates cannot participate (full-time attendance required) | Residency: Mississippi; Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 10–11 when applying; Requirement: Has not previously attended the Mississippi Governor's School; Requirement: Meets at least one academic qualification: Mississippi gifted eligibility, composite ACT 25+, SAT 1250+, PSAT Selection Index 175+, or cumulative GPA 3.25+ on a 4.0 scale; Requirement: Demonstrates advanced ability in academic aptitude, creative thinking, leadership, or fine and/or performing arts |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; 7 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends June 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | Starts June 6, 2027; Ends June 19, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Lake Charles, LA | Austin, TX | Columbus, MS |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Applicants must meet gifted-identification or aptitude criteria and grade-specific requirements. Applications were reviewed until spaces filled; the program does not publish applicant counts, capacity, or an acceptance rate. | Selection: McCombs describes desired qualities but publishes no current applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, fixed GPA cutoff, identity quota, geographic quota, scoring rubric, interview process, or waitlist policy. Historical cohort figures must not be treated as a future guarantee. Application materials: Essay(s); One letter of recommendation | Application materials: Two recommendation letters (one teacher, one community member); 2027 scholar prompt response (essay, video, presentation or other original format; AI use prohibited) |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-08-20Source 3 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-09Source 4 · checked 2026-10-09Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21 |
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