Starting your college journey can be both exciting and overwhelming, but one thing that can make the transition smoother is securing financial aid. If you’re considering the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) for Fall 2025, you’ll be happy to know that there are several scholarship opportunities specifically for incoming freshmen. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence and provide students with the financial support they need to focus on their education.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the top freshman scholarships available at USM for the 2025 academic year:
1# Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Academic Excellence Scholarship is one of the most sought-after awards for incoming freshmen at Southern Miss. This scholarship is automatically awarded to students based on their high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Here’s how it breaks down:
- ACT Score 30-36 (or SAT 1360-1600): Full tuition scholarship
- ACT Score 27-29 (or SAT 1260-1350): $7,000 annually
- ACT Score 25-26 (or SAT 1200-1250): $5,250 annually
- ACT Score 23-24 (or SAT 1130-1190): $4,500 annually
- ACT Score 22 (or SAT 1100-1120): $3,000 annually
This scholarship is renewable for up to four years, provided students maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and complete 15 credit hours each semester.
2# Freshman Housing Scholarship
The Freshman Housing Scholarship is an additional one-time award for students with a high ACT/SAT score. For students scoring 33 or higher on the ACT (or 1450+ on the SAT), the scholarship covers the full value of a double-occupancy dorm room for the first year.
To qualify, students must live on campus during their freshman year. The housing scholarship is valued at approximately $8,030 per year, but it only covers double-occupancy housing. If you prefer a single room, you’ll need to cover the difference.
3# Designation-Based and Competitive Scholarships
Southern Miss offers several designation-based and competitive scholarships, such as:
- Luckyday Citizenship Scholars Program
- Honors College Scholarships
- McCarty Scholars Program
These scholarships are awarded based on leadership, community involvement, and academic merit. To apply for these scholarships, students must submit an application through the Golden Opportunities (GO) System by February 1, 2025. Competitive scholarships often require essays, recommendation letters, and other supplemental materials.
4# National Merit Scholarships
If you’re a National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist, you can qualify for additional scholarships at USM. Semifinalists automatically receive scholarship offers, while Finalists must submit official documentation through the GO System by May 1, 2025, and designate USM as their first-choice school.
5# Applying for Scholarships at USM
Applying for scholarships at USM is straightforward. Most scholarships, including the Academic Excellence Scholarship, are awarded automatically based on your admissions application and test scores. However, for competitive and designation-based scholarships, you’ll need to apply through the GO System. Be sure to submit all required documents by the relevant deadlines, and don’t forget to complete your FAFSA by December 15, 2024, for full scholarship consideration.
Important Deadlines:
- February 1, 2025: Deadline to apply for competitive and designation-based scholarships
- March 1, 2025: Deadline for submitting test scores for Academic Excellence consideration
- May 1, 2025: Deadline to accept freshman scholarships.
Application Invitation Page: https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-scholarships/freshman-scholarships.php.
