Through the F.L.I.G.H.T. Program, we have partnered with iGrad to bring financial literacy to the entire University in a cohesive and extensive platform that is easy to use. 

iGrad is an interactive, online platform that offers a suite of tools designed to provide Southern Miss students with knowledge on financial topics, including budgeting, financial aid, banking, investing and more. There are videos, calculators, articles, recommendations, games and other resources that can help them improve their finances. The platform is free to all currently enrolled students, faculty and staff. 

LEARN MORE

It is vital for Southern Miss students to receive adequate financial literacy education since academic success and financial stability coincide. For many students, they are obtaining their first jobs, living on their own for the first time, trying to help provide for their families, buying or saving for their first automobiles, and juggling various other financial obligations alongside financing their education. Although scholarships can supplement, and in some cases fully finance, a student’s college education, personal finances will always be a factor in their long-term success. 

Events and Workshops

F.L.I.G.H.T. Ambassadors is a student organization designed to enhance the financial wellness of USM’s undergraduate students. F.L.I.G.H.T. Ambassadors utilize research and a peer-to-peer education model to increase the knowledge of financial awareness across campus. They provide financial education and awareness to students through presentations, individual coaching sessions, outreach tables and resource referrals. 

Their purpose is to teach and promote financial literacy campus-wide, so students feel empowered to achieve their financial goals. They believe that no one understands the needs and concerns of students better than fellow students! 

Learn More

• Never received financial education in high school | 78.1%
• Never met with a financial aid counselor | 58.3%
• Never took a one-time personal finance session/workshop in college | 78.1 %
• Never took a reoccurring personal finance course/workshop in college | 94.2%
• Unlikely to somewhat likely could come up with $400 in the event of an emergency this year | 86.4%​​
• Worry about affording major life plans (marriage, house, etc.) | 66.1%

• I have enough money to participate in most of the same activities as my peers | 52.9%
• I worry about having enough money to pay for school | 71.5%
• After graduation, I will be able to support myself financially | 65.3%
• I think that the cost of college is a good investment for my financial future | 64.3%
• Neglect your academic work? | 30.2%
• Reduce your class load? | 21.9%
• Change your program of study? | 14.5%
• Transfer to a different institution? | 10.7%
• Consider dropping out of college? | 10.41%
• Change your post-graduation plans? | 35.1%

If you are planning to attend Southern Miss in the fall directly after your high school graduation, we have outlined some helpful resources to help make sure that you have the proper knowledge to secure your financial needs and prepare your student(s) in learning about basic money management. Start with learning key financial terms, deadlines and procedures for our University, and where to find corresponding information.

• Glossary of financial terms: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/glossary
• Information about Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html?src=rn
• Review all freshman scholarship criteria, procedures, and deadlines at https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-scholarships/freshman-scholarships.php
• Complete your General Application and apply for additional USM scholarships in the GO System: There are over 900 other scholarship opportunities open to USM students.
• Utilize a reputable scholarship search site, such as https://www.fastweb.com/: Fastweb is your connection to scholarships, colleges, financial aid, part-time jobs, internships, additional financial literacy resources, and more.
• Search scholarship opportunities provided by organizations within your community, parent or guardian's employer, or scholarships associated with student organizations that you are an active member: Make all awards payable to Business Services.
• Complete your https://www.msfinancialaid.org/ application for all state of MS aid (if applicable) and contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional questions about this process
• Complete your FAFSA for all federal aid opportunities: grants, federal work-study, federal loan opportunities, and some private loan opportunities: Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional questions about this process. Also, remember that the Office of Undergraduate Scholarships requires a FAFSA to be on file for scholarship consideration.
• Visit the USM financial calendar and academic calendar to make sure your student is ready to tackle all upcoming deadlines
• Visit https://www.hsfpp.org/about/parents.aspx for educational and financial literacy resources to share with your student
• Schedule your tour with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions today, if you have not already!
• Explore First Year Programs provided through Center for Student Success at USM by visiting https://www.usm.edu/new-student-retention-programs/ 

Every year students should complete the General Application in the GO System, apply for additional scholarships, complete a new FAFSA, and review all deadlines. In addition to these items, we also recommend the following: 

• Apply for additional student programs through the Center for Student Success, such as Academic Coaching, Sophomore Spark, Jubilee Scholars, Transfer Student Association, and more: Many programs offered through various offices at Southern Miss offer additional scholarships to participants. Many programs offered through various offices at Southern Miss offer additional scholarships to participants.
  • Not only are these resources and programs a great asset to your development as a student, but they can also help in covering college expenses. They also provide hands on experiences and student engagement within individual campus communities.
• Utilize our Financial Wellness resources before, during, and after college to assist with various financial needs and gaps.
• Become actively engaged on campus and in the community by finding the right volunteer opportunity through the Inclusion and Multicultural Office
• Explore Career Services resources, such as Job Location and Development and schedule appointments as needed
• Visit the Center for Pathway Experiences to learn how to gain more hands on experience, while earning your degree
• Visit our website for Nationally Competitive Programs and schedule an appointment to get started
• Consider taking the Personal Finance 200 course offered at USM as an elective to learn more about managing your own personal finances

In addition to taking advantage of the above resources, seniors should begin planning for graduate school, interviewing for jobs, and/or preparing financially to tackle any student loan payments and personal expenses associated with life after graduation. 

• Utilize our Financial Wellness resources before, during, and after college to assist with various financial needs and gaps.
• Make an appointment with Career Services to cover your basis: resume, sharpen your interview skills, networking, job seeking skills
  • Attend the Career and Internship Expo,  Teacher Job Fair, and utilize Handshake through Career Services.
  • Career Services encourages students of all classifications (Freshman - Alumni) to attend the Career and Internship Expo. They believe that students should begin networking and speaking with employers as early as Freshman year, so that they can grow in their confidence with connecting to employers.
• Review Graduate School Deadlines and Graduate Admissions processes at Graduate Admissions
• Complete your General Application in the GO System and apply for scholarships: All University offered scholarships are located in the GO System, including scholarships for graduate students
• View the Funding Resources tab on Graduate Admissions' website for a list of additional ways to fund your studies
• Apply for the McNair Scholars Program (if applicable)
• Attend the GRE Prep Bootcamp hosted by the Graduate School