Application Guidelines

The Luckyday Scholars Program is grounded in student engagement through shared living spaces, community service, and leadership development. 

Who can apply for a Luckyday Scholarship?

Mississippi residents who have been accepted into The University of Southern Mississippi as freshmen may apply for the scholarship. Applicants must also have at least a 3.0 core GPA in high school and a minimum ACT of 20.

What qualifications are evaluated in the applications?

The successful applicants have a history of involvement in their community and have challenged themselves academically while balancing varying responsibilities. Evaluation is placed on financial need, community service, leadership positions in high school, recommendations, and overall fit for the Luckyday Program. Students who feel that they embody the ideals of the Program (strong work ethic, social responsibility, academically persistent, strong desire to pursue an undergraduate education, and desires/needs support to pursue their higher education dreams and goals, and is committed to the growth of others) are encouraged to apply.

What is included in the application?

Students will need to complete the general application in the GO Application System. After submitting that portion, other competitive applications for which they are eligible will open in their account. A complete application includes:

• Well written, thoughtful responses to the three essay prompts
• Counselor Report completed by high school counselor
• Recommendation form completed by an academic reference
• Recommendation form completed by a service supervisor or an organization advisor
• FASFA 

How do I access the application?

Students who are interested in applying for Freshman and Transfer Designation-Based scholarships, the Luckyday Scholars Program, USM Foundation Scholarships, and Honors College Admission and Achievement Awards will use the GO Application system. The application system is housed at www.usmfoundation.com/go. You must first be accepted to the University and log into the Go Application system using your student ID and SOAR password. 

What are the application dates?

First year students entering fall 2024:
The application system will open on September 1, 2023. Applications may be submitted through January 15, 2024. The previous FASFA submission deadline was February 15, 2024, but because of complications with the FASFA process the documentation will not be used for selection purposes but will be required of all named scholars before the beginning of the academic school year.