Scholarships & Financial Aid

The University of Southern Mississippi offers generous scholarship support to scholars, leaders, National Merit Semifinalists and Finalists, and more.

Freshman Scholarships
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 must have submitted an application for admission, $35 application fee, ACT/SAT scores, and a high school transcript.

Our advice to students seeking freshman scholarships is to begin the admissions process by November of the senior year.  The competitive scholarship deadline (Presidential Scholarship, Leadership Award, and Luckyday Foundation Citizenship Scholarship) is January 5, 2009.  Freshmen admitted by March 15, 2009, will be considered for the Academic Excellence and Regional Awards.

Click here to learn more about freshman scholarships at Southern Miss.

Transfer Scholarships
Scholarships are available to students planning to transfer to Southern Miss with 54 hours completed or in progress who meet certain criteria.  Students who have previously attended Southern Miss or another 4-year college/university are not eligible for scholarships.  To be considered for any of these scholarships, students must have submitted an application for admission, $35 application fee, and transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended.

Click here to learn more about transfer scholarships at Southern Miss.

Financial Aid
The federal government is the single largest source of financial support to college students.  The State of Mississippi also offers aid to qualified students. 

Click here to learn more about financial aid opportunities at Southern Miss.

Golden Opportunity Program
First-time entering freshmen with a 20-23 composite ACT/combined SAT score of 970-1080 and a strong grade point average who demonstrate academic potential will be automatically considered for financial assistance made possible through the Golden Opportunity Program.  The level of financial assistance available ranges from $2,000-$8,000 (payable over four years). Recipients must be enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress at Southern Miss.  No application is necessary.  Freshmen admitted by March 15 will be considered.