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Undergraduate Scholarships

Freshman Competitive Programs

JANUARY 15: Submit the General Application and Competitive Scholarship Application through the GO System.  

[Note: Students must be admitted by DECEMBER 1 for Freshman Competitive Scholarships.]

MARCH 15: Students can login to the GO System and learn their status of the competitive process for Honors College and Luckyday Scholars Program.

MAY 1: Students must accept Freshman Competitive Scholarships in the GO System.

Click here for instructions on How To Apply for Competitive Scholarships in the GO System.

* For a full list of freshman scholarships and eligibility, please visit our main website

HONORS COLLEGE INCOMING FRESHMAN SCHOLARSHIPS
Honors College website | honors@usm.edu | 601.266.4533 

The Honors College at The University of Southern Mississippi fosters a deep, communal engagement with ideas and an atmosphere of personal connection and achievement by providing students with small classes, opportunities for active learning, and research and creative experiences. We create a supportive and challenging intellectual community, promote attentive mentoring, and expose our students to cutting-edge scholars and artists. Above all, we encourage our students to seize opportunities and boldly determine their own paths—both at the university and beyond.

For more information about eligibility and requirements, visit our website. Every student admitted to the program will receive one of our three Honors College scholarships outlined below. These highly competitive scholarships are awarded to students who exemplify the core ideals of the Honors College: intellectual curiosity, creativity, openness to new ideas, passion for learning, and drive. Decisions are made based on the quality of the student’s Honors College application. 

HONORS SCHOLAR AWARD:

  • $2,000 annual scholarship for 4 years

HONORS COLLEGE DISCOVERY SCHOLARSHIP

  • Full tuition for four years
  • The cost of campus housing and meal plan for the fall and spring semesters of freshman year
  • A one-time $5,000 scholarship toward the USM study-abroad program of the recipient’s choice, to be used beginning in the summer following the freshman year.
  • A one-time $1,750 research grant designed to support Honors College thesis research, to be used once a student advances to the research portion of the curriculum

HONORS COLLEGE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP

  • Full tuition for four years
  • The cost of campus housing and a meal plan for four years
  • $500 per semester educational allowance

* Please note that recipients must live on campus during their freshman and sophomore years, and recipients who choose to move off campus during their junior and senior years will retain only the tuition and book stipends.

Click here to access the application via the Golden Opportunities Scholarship Application System.

LUCKYDAY SCHOLARS PROGRAM (MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS ONLY)
Luckyday website | luckyday@usm.edu | 601.266.5981

The Luckyday Scholars Program is grounded in student engagement through a robust living-learning community, leadership development, scholastic achievement, and community service. In addition to being a Mississippi resident with a minimum 3.0 high school core grade point average and a minimum 21 composite ACT score, successful applicants have a history of involvement within their communities and have challenged themselves academically while balancing varying responsibilities. The selection committee engages in a holistic, intensive review process that examines all aspects of the application. Students who feel that they embody the ideals of the program (strong work ethic, social responsibility, academic persistence, a strong desire to pursue an undergraduate education, needs support to pursue higher education, and needs support to pursue higher education are encouraged to apply. Only complete applications will be reviewed, which includes all questions, essays, recommendations, and well developed ZeeMee profile. The Luckyday Scholars Program scholarship is stackable with most other scholarships, with the exception of Presidential or National Merit, but it cannot exceed the federal calculated cost of attendance for the academic year.

Students are required to live on campus their freshman year in Luckyday Citizenship Hall, take a Luckyday Seminar Class fall semester of their freshman year and commit to serving in the Hattiesburg community at least 10 hours each semester. Students will receive a $6,000 annual scholarship for 4 years pending the satisfaction of program requirements.

  • Mississippi residents only
  • Minimum 3.0 core high school grade point average or higher and a minimum 21 superscore on the ACT
  • Demonstrates commitment to building community, engaging in service, developing as a leader, and pursuing academic excellence
  • Click here to access the application via the Golden Opportunities Scholarship Application System.

Other Programs to Consider 

OSEOLA MCCARTY SCHOLARS PROGRAM (MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS ONLY)
Office of Undergraduate Scholarships | scholars@usm.edu |  601.266.4540

The Oseola McCarty Scholars Program honors the legacy of a Hattiesburg native who gave a significant portion of her life savings to the University in order to help students afford college. Oseola Mccarty had a strong work ethic, giving heart, and a love for helping others. Students will receive a $2,000 annual scholarship for 4 years.

  • Mississippi residents only
  • Minimum 3.0 core high school grade point average and at least a 21 ACT score or SAT equivalent
  • Must be from a public high school in south Mississippi, show demonstrated financial need, desire to serve the community, and strong leadership skills
  • Click here to access the application via the Golden Opportunities Scholarship Application System.

The Jump Scholars Program is offered through the Center for Student Success and allows incoming freshman students the opportunity to get a JUMP start on their college experience by participating in a three week, success camp experience. The Jump scholars program allows students to register in one of three different intersession classes. The program is designed to allow incoming first year students time and support during through their transition to college life.

Click here to learn more.

The Powell Scholarship Program begins with the freshman year at USM and can be renewed for an additional three years allowing awardees to enhance engagement in key student success initiatives. During the first two years of the program, awardees will focus on foundational skills, self-awareness, and campus connections through participation in the Jump Scholars and Spark Sophomore Success programs. For the second two years, students will shift their attention to emphasize engagement in the major, career mindset, and career readiness through programs with Career Services, the Office of Pathway Experiences, and the Alumni Association. 

Click here to learn more.

Academic Connections to Enhance Success (ACES) Program provides accepted first-year students with access to a small community of peers within the larger university setting and direct connections with dedicated faculty and staff. Program opportunities hosted by the Center for Student Success, student leaders, as well as course faculty members will be available throughout the fall and spring semesters to ACES students.

Click here to learn more.

The Jubilee Scholars Program provides unique academic and professional development opportunities to a select group of students at The University of Southern Mississippi. Each year in the late spring, 50 Jubilee Scholars are selected from the freshman class. They officially begin the program at the start of their sophomore year.

Click here to learn more.

The Kennard Scholars Program offers a variety of resources to aid students in their ability to pay for college, personal and academic development, and the pursuit of a university degree. Each Kennard Scholar receives an $800 scholarship, a mentor, life skills training, and the opportunity to participate in active learning experiences. The Kennard Scholars Program curriculum is a roadmap to assist in the development of skills necessary to succeed.

Click here to learn more.

Contact Us

Office of Undergraduate Scholarships
Kennard-Washington (KWH) 200
118 College Drive #5011
Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Campus

Campus Map

Email
scholarsFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.4540