For information on enrollment and financial aid call
601.266.5000 – Hattiesburg
228.865.4500 – Gulf Coast
On the Web, download enrollment application at
http://www.usm.edu/about/files/Katrina_Relief_Application.pdf
 
     SOUTHERN MISS PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS WHO
         NEED FINANCIAL HELP TO PURSUE COLLEGE EDUCATION
                Federal aid designated for those affected by Hurricane Katrina
 
HATTIESBURG – At first, their prospects for returning to school to continue and complete their college education looked bleak because of Hurricane Katrina. But students adversely affected by the storm can get the help they need now to attend the University of Southern Mississippi in the spring, summer and fall 2006 semesters.
 
Mississippi received $95 million from the federal hurricane relief legislation that passed just before the Christmas holidays, designated for higher education assistance to students who need funds to pay for tuition, housing and meals. The assistance is in the form of grants and does not have to be repaid. Those who need assistance because Katrina had a negative impact on them financially or otherwise can apply on online at www.usm.edu.
 

The significance and urgency of this program cannot be overstated,” said Southern Miss President Shelby Thames. “Katrina has already taken so much from us; we should not allow her to steal the educations of our citizens.
 “As faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of Southern Miss, we should contact and encourage students to take advantage of Katrina Relief funding so that they can benefit from this opportunity.”
 

Many students have already applied for assistance from the special funding and enrolled at Southern Miss, said Vice President for Student Affairs Joe Paul. “The response has been good,” he said. “We’ve had a large number of students inquire and apply, and funds are still available and they can continue to apply again in the summer and possibly for the fall semester.”
Paul added that the special funding is limited to this year and that students should take advantage of the opportunity while the assistance, which is designated for 2006 only, is available.
“Some students have dropped out because of the availability of short-term, higher-paying jobs (brought on by labor shortages after the storm), but I hope that they consider the future earning potential that can come from having a college education and realize that these funds will not be available beyond this year,” Paul said.
 

For more information, contact Southern Miss in Hattiesburg at 601.266.5000; Southern Miss Gulf Coast at 228.865.4500; or apply online at http://www.usm.edu/about/files/Katrina_Relief_Application.pdf

Last updated: 01/25/06