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Financial Aid

Steps to Apply

Page Content

 

Apply for Admission

Step 1: Apply for Admission


Apply for admission or readmission to Southern Miss at usm.edu/admissions or by contacting the Office of Admissions at (601) 266-5000. Be aware of deadlines.

Financial aid cannot be processed without a clear admission status.

FAFSA

Step 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)


The FAFSA is available for the upcoming year on October 1st. (Apply early, as the priority date is December 15th)

Mississippi Residents may apply for state aid at the State of Mississippi Student Financial Aid Website by clicking here

Students should also apply for Southern Miss scholarships by completing the general application in the GO System here

If you are a new student starting in the Spring or Summer, you must also complete the USM online financial aid application in your SOAR account. 

Checklist

Step 3: Monitor your SOAR Account & USM Email


The Financial Aid Office will communicate with you through your SOAR account and USM Campus Email. This may include additional documentation needed to complete your Financial Aid Application, issues with your Financial Aid Application, or the amount of aid you have been awarded.

Students selected for verification by the Federal Government will need to submit additional information.

Accept

Step 4: Accept or Decline Awards in SOAR

 

Instructions for accepting your offers in SOAR can be found here.

When the Office of Financial Aid receives all necessary documentation you will receive your Financial Aid Offer Notice. 

Ensure timely processing of your awards by accepting your award in SOAR and completing Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) if you are a first time loan borrower.

NOTE: If you were awarded institutional scholarships, they must be accepted in the GO System, not SOAR. 

 Awareness

Step 5: Be Aware

 

Contact Us

Office of Financial Aid
Kennard-Washington Hall (KWH) 101
118 College Dr. #5101 Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Campus

Fax 601.266.5769

Campus Map

Email
financial.aidFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.4774

Contact Us

Student Services One Stop
Gulf Coast Library (GCL) 101
730 East Beach Blvd. 
Long Beach, MS 39560

Gulf Park Campus

Campus Map

Email
OneStop_GPFREEMississippi

Phone
228.214.3370