University tag fees will aid License to Work job plan

Mississippi State's share of proceeds from university license plate sales will be used to help support a student work program providing campus jobs.

State universities receive $32.50 from the sale of each automobile license plate bearing their respective emblems and colors. The tags cost $50 over the regular cost of state license plates.

Mississippi State supporters had bought more than 500 of the special tags by the end of September, generating in excess of $16,000 for the university's eventual use. The program is expected to produce at least that much in successive years as more university supporters learn about the opportunity to buy the tags and the benefits they provide to students, said Dr. Billy Ward, vice president for institutional advancement.

President Donald Zacharias recently approved the recommendation of a study committee that revenue from the tags be devoted to a student jobs program, with part of the student wages paid from license plate fees and the remainder paid by the employing department.

Similar university license plate programs in neighboring states have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for discretionary use by the institutions.

The Mississippi State license plates carry in maroon the words "Mississippi State University" and the university seal, along with the slogan "Serving Mississippi." The tags are available at all county tax assessors' offices.

Of the $50 university tag fee, $14 goes to a state highway fund, the county selling the tag gets $2.50 to cover costs, $1 goes to the Mississippi Burn Center, and the university receives the remainder.