Freshman Scholarships

Scholarship Consideration Deadline: February 1

Freshman Scholarship Guidelines
Freshman scholarships are available to students attending Southern Miss the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.  To be considered for any of these scholarships, students should submit an application for admission, a $35 nonrefundable application fee, ACT or SAT scores, and a high school transcript.  Continuation of all scholarships is based on satisfactory academic progress and other conditions once the student is enrolled.  Specific requirements are available upon request.

Please note that only standardized test scores earned through December 2009 (ACT) and January 2010 (SAT) will be considered for scholarship-awarding purposes.

Students may be considered for multiple merit-based scholarships offered through the Office of Admissions, but only one scholarship offer may be accepted.*

* Students may accept only one scholarship offered through the Office of Admissions.  The only exception is the Regional Scholarship, the award representing the full cost of out-of-state fees; the Regional Scholarship may be combined with one other Office of Admissions-based scholarship.  However, students can accept multiple scholarships offered through other departments at The University of Southern Mississippi or scholarships offered through sources outside of the University.  Such departmental or outside scholarships may be “stacked” with Office of Admissions-based scholarships.

General Admissions-Based Scholarships
Admission deadline for General Scholarship consideration: February 1

Presidential National Merit Scholarship
A limited number of students recognized as National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists will qualify for the University-sponsored Presidential National Merit Scholarship, which is valued at approximately $48,000 (for Mississippi residents) and is designed to cover the cost of attendance for four years, including tuition (and out-of-state fees, if applicable), campus housing, a meal plan and a book stipend for four years.  Semifinalists and Finalists should also seek admission to the Honors College.  Finalists must further list The University of Southern Mississippi as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Corporation.  Students who progress to Finalist status will also receive a $4,000 scholarship to study abroad in a University program of their choosing.

Academic Excellence Scholarship
Students with a composite 26 ACT or higher (combined SAT score of 1170* or higher) and an above-average core GPA (as calculated by the Office of Admissions**) will be automatically considered for these awards upon admission.  (No application is necessary.)

Golden Opportunity Scholarship (Mississippi residents only)
Students with a composite ACT of 24-25 (combined SAT score of 1090-1160*) and an above-average core GPA (as calculated by the Office of Admissions**) will be automatically considered for these awards upon admission.  (No application is necessary.)

Regional Scholarship (for nonresidents of Mississippi)
Nonresident students may be considered for the Regional Scholarship, an award representing the full cost of nonresident fees.  Students with a 21 composite ACT or higher (combined SAT score of 980 or higher*) and an above-average core GPA (as calculated by the Office of Admissions**) will be automatically considered for these awards upon admission.  (No application is necessary.)

Competitive Admissions-Based Scholarships
Application deadline for Competitive Scholarship consideration: February 1

Presidential Scholarship
Students with a composite 30 ACT or higher (combined SAT score of 1330 or higher*) and who are admitted to the Honors College will be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, which is valued at approximately $48,000 (for Mississippi residents).  National Merit Commended Students and National Merit Achievement Semifinalists admitted to the Honors College may also be considered.  Presidential Scholarships are designed to cover the cost of attendance for four years, including tuition (and out-of-state fees, if applicable), campus housing, a meal plan and a book stipend for four years.  To be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, students must complete and submit the 2010 Competitive Freshman Programs Application. 

Leadership Scholarship
The Leadership Scholarship is a $16,000 award (payable over four years) for students who have a strong academic history, a proven record of leadership in high school and community activities, and exceptional leadership potential at Southern Miss.  To apply, students must complete and submit the 2010 Competitive Freshman Programs Application.

Luckyday Foundation Citizenship Scholarship
The Luckyday Foundation Citizenship Scholarship is a $16,000 award (payable over four years) for exemplary students who have a 3.0 high school grade point average, who are outstanding citizens committed to service in the community, campus involvement and academic excellence, and who need financial assistance for college.  To apply, students must complete and submit the 2010 Competitive Freshman Programs Application.

* The written portion of the SAT is not considered for scholarship-awarding purposes.

**Core GPA is calculated with the student’s grades earned in coursework that is part of the college preparatory curriculum (CPC).