College and Adult Child Support in Mississippi: Post-Secondary and Disabled Children

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Mississippi child support runs to 21, which usually covers a college student. We found no provision for support after 21, for college or for a disabled adult child, in the sections we read.

Does child support cover college in Mississippi?

Mississippi support runs to 21 whether or not the child is in college, so a student is usually covered until the 21st birthday (Miss. Code 93-11-65(8)). We found no separate provision in the sections we read that lets a court order support for college after 21. Parents can agree to pay and ask the court to make the agreement part of the judgment.

What if the child quits school after 18?

A court may determine that emancipation has occurred if the child, having attained 18, discontinues full-time enrollment in school (unless disabled) (93-11-65(8)(b)). A child who stays enrolled full-time is not caught by that rule, so enrollment records protect support to 21.

Is there child support for a disabled adult child in Mississippi?

We found no provision in the sections we read for support after 21. The school-enrollment event does not apply to a disabled child (93-11-65(8)(b)(i)). If your child will need support after 21, talk to a licensed Mississippi attorney before then.

Can parents agree to pay for college in Mississippi?

Yes. Put the amount, the schools, grade conditions and an end date in writing and ask the court to approve it so it can be enforced.

What are the age limits for a given birth date?

After 21, college help comes only from an agreement.

Can support for a student be modified before 21?

Yes, under the same rules: a material change outside the DHS three-year review, with notice fixing the start date (43-19-34(3)-(4)). A change in tuition or housing costs is the kind of thing the court weighs.

What if the child takes a gap year?

Support continues to 21 either way unless the judgment or a court finding says otherwise. If the child discontinues full-time school after 18 and is not disabled, a court may find emancipation, so a gap year can put support at risk if the other parent asks.

Is a graduate student covered?

Support ends at 21 in any case unless the judgment says otherwise, so a graduate student over 21 is not covered by the statute we read. An agreement between the parents would be needed (93-11-65(8)(a)).

Does a college student have to live at home for support?

The statute does not say; the court-found emancipation rule asks whether a child over 18 discontinues full-time school or voluntarily moves out, establishes independent living, works full time and stops educational endeavors before 21 (93-11-65(8)(b)). A student who stays enrolled full-time is not in that group.

What if the child is disabled and in school at 18?

The school-enrollment event does not apply to a disabled child, so support is not ended on that ground (93-11-65(8)(b)(i)). Keep medical and school records.

How should a college agreement be written?

• Which costs are covered: tuition, housing, books or a cap.
• Each parent’s share and when payments are due.
• Grade or enrollment conditions and what happens if the child leaves school.
• An end date or maximum number of years.
• Court approval so the agreement can be enforced.

What about unpaid support from before?

It stays owed: see how long Mississippi arrears last and the Mississippi child support end date calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

• Miss. Code 93-11-65: support of minor children; emancipation
• Miss. Code 43-19-34: modification
• Miss. Code 93-11-71: judgments
• Miss. Code 93-11-105: withholding

This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Mississippi statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Mississippi attorney.