Unlocking Ole Miss: A Guide to Merit Scholarships

An education from the University of Mississippi represents a strategic investment in one's future. The Office of Financial Aid stands ready to provide comprehensive information on available financial aid programs. Ole Miss offers a spectrum of financial aid, ranging from academic merit-based scholarships to need-based aid. To be considered for any scholarship, prospective students must first apply for and secure admission to Ole Miss, followed by the submission of the Freshman Scholarship Application by the specified deadline. The school FAFSA code is 002440.

Understanding Financial Aid at Ole Miss

Navigating financial aid doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The Office of Financial Aid is here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about funding your education. From scholarships and grants to loans and work-study opportunities, resources are available for all types of students-freshmen, transfers, international students, and lifelong learners.

The office is responsible for assisting students in navigating various financial aid options and providing guidance on scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs to make higher education accessible and affordable.

Academic Merit Scholarships for Freshmen

Ole Miss provides several merit-based scholarship opportunities that reward academic achievement, test scores, and high school performance.

Eligibility for Incoming Freshmen

Incoming Freshmen who are enrolling in the Fall semester are eligible to apply for general endowed scholarships (for all majors) as well as scholarships awarded by specific schools. To be considered for any scholarship, you must first apply and gain admission to Ole Miss, then submit the Freshman Scholarship Application.

Read also: Guide to Ole Miss Scholarships

How to Apply for Freshman Scholarships

Applicants can apply in the UM Application Portal upon admission. The deadline to apply is January 10.

Competitive Scholarships

The highest scholarship available to freshmen entering in fall semester covers the full cost of attendance plus an enrichment fund for internships and study abroad.

International Student Scholarships

The University of Mississippi extends generous scholarships specifically for international undergraduate students. International students can also apply for some special programs and scholarships.

International Academic Excellence Scholarships

All scholarships for International Academic Excellence are Automatic. Applicants do not need to submit any supplemental materials or start a separate application. If you are eligible for one of these scholarships, once you have been accepted for admission to the University of Mississippi, you will receive an award letter based on your GPA. Applicants must meet the minimum English proficiency requirements to qualify. Admitted international undergraduate students are automatically considered for International Academic Excellence and SAT/ACT scholarships.

These scholarships are exclusively for incoming freshman undergraduate international students. GPA is calculated as the sum of all course grades divided by the total number of credits, typically reported on a 4.0 scale in US high schools, where the top grade A equals 4.0.

Scholarship Tiers

Mississippi Premier Scholarship: \$27,660 per year for 4 years (93% of tuition per year). Qualification: 3.9 - 4.0 GPA on US Scale.
Mississippi Champion Scholarship: \$12,000 per year for 4 years (40% of tuition per year). Qualification: 3.75 - 3.89 GPA on US Scale.
Mississippi Magnolia Scholarship: \$9,500 per year for 4 years (32% of tuition per year). Qualification: 3.5 - 3.74 GPA on US Scale.
Mississippi Legacy Scholarship: \$5,000 per year for 4 years (17% of tuition per year). Qualification: 3.25 - 3.49 GPA on US Scale.

SAT/ACT Scholarships for International Students

International students test scores will be evaluated by International Enrollment Management and sent to the Financial Aid office for approval. Entering Freshmen must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA on the US scale and at least a 24 ACT score or the 1160 SAT/SAT-R. The university will accept super scores (highest subject tests from ACT/SAT when scores from multiple test dates are submitted for admission). Subject test scores must be from the same exam type (ACT or SAT) to create a super score.

Award Values Based on GPA and Test Scores

The following award values are for the academic year.

High School GPA	No Test Score Provided	1160 - 1220 SAT / 24-25 ACT	1230 - 1290 SAT / 26-27 ACT	1300 - 1350 SAT / 28-29 ACT	1360 - 1410 SAT / 30-31 ACT	1420+ SAT / 32+ ACT
3.0 - 3.49	\$3,000	\$4,000	\$5,000	\$8,000	\$10,000	\$15,000
3.5 - 3.74	\$5,000	\$7,000	\$8,000	\$10,000	\$15,000	\$20,160
3.75 - 4.0	\$8,000	\$9,000	\$10,000	\$12,000	\$18,000	\$20,160

It's important to remember that SAT/ACT Scholarships cannot be combined with International Academic Excellence Scholarships. The scholarship award with the highest value will be activated for the student’s financial aid.

International Undergraduate Student Scholarships (IUSS) for Transfer Students

International students who transfer from Universities within or outside of the USA may qualify for International Undergraduate Student Scholarships (IUSS) which can cover up to 100% of non-resident tuition fees. Scholarships are based on available funding, earned university/college grades and evidence of English proficiency. Scholarships are credited towards non-resident fees. They may be combined with other scholarships, but will only be applied to the non-resident portion of tuition. Scholarships are non-deferrable and non-transferable, though are renewable, provided academic progression and grade requirements are met, and valid legal status is maintained. Students may be awarded the scholarship for a total of 4 academic years towards a first bachelor’s degree only. International students who are externally funded (e.g. by their government) may not qualify for these scholarships.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Ole Miss First Scholarship (OMF)

Eligibility Criteria

Incoming Freshmen
Minimum high school GPA of 3.0
Typically ACT of 25+ unless otherwise specified
Demonstrated involvement in high school activities
Demonstrated community service
Financial need as designated by scholarship
Must be registered for 12 semester hours

Application Process

Apply for admission to The University of Mississippi.
Complete Entering Freshman Scholarship Application.
In some cases, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is also required.

Departmental Scholarships

Several departments within the University of Mississippi offer scholarships tailored to students in their respective fields. Here are some examples:

Read also: Campus Life at Ole Miss

Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Scholarships

These scholarships range from \$500 to \$2,000 distributed over the fall and spring semesters. Specific scholarships include:

Scholarship 1: Full-time Criminal Justice/Law Studies major, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum GPA of 2.25.
Scholarship 2: Full-time Junior or Senior Criminal Justice and Law Studies major. Recipients shall be selected based on academic excellence, community involvement, integrity, and commitment to the program.
Scholarship 3: Full-time Criminal Justice/Law Studies major, classified as a senior for the fall semester prior to applying. Minimum GPA of 3.75. Application must be submitted by February 1.
Scholarship 4: Criminal Justice/Law Studies major. Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.
Scholarship 5: Criminal Justice major. Recipient shall be selected based on being an incoming freshman enrolled full-time. Recipients must have a cumulative high school GPA of 2.75 or higher, be pursuing a degree in criminal justice, and contribute to the diversity of the Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies.
Scholarship 6: Criminal Justice major, enrolled full-time, and who has taken or is enrolled in CJ450 (Criminal Justice Research Methods). Application must be submitted by April 15.
Scholarship 7: Law Studies major. Recipient shall be selected based on academic excellence, integrity, and commitment to the program.

Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, professional motivation, and financial need. Topics to include in the application:

What you believe in OR a person that has influenced you the most
Your future career goals
How your current education program in NHM will help you in achieving your goals
Your personal attributes and skills that will help you achieve your goals

Specific scholarships include:

The Vallabhbhai G. Patel Endowment: Hospitality Management major, full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12hrs).
Ole Miss Hospitality Management program scholarships: High-achieving and promising students and/or students who strengthen diversity at the University of Mississippi. Two scholarships are available each year.
- Level 1: A first-generation college student, incoming freshman or upcoming sophomore, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Level 2: Financial need as determined by the free application by FAFSA, upcoming junior or senior, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, full-time enrollment status (minimum 12hrs)(note: Level two's essay is 1000 words)
The Susan C. Haskins Memorial Scholarship Endowment: Hospitality Management major, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12hrs).
The Vasilyev Family Scholarship Endowment: Upcoming junior or senior, Hospitality Management major, overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12hrs).
The Sydney E. Pucheu Hospitality Management Scholarship Endowment: Hospitality Management major, full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12hrs).
The Rodney Chamblee Memorial Scholarship: Hospitality Management major, full-time student classified as juniors, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, Mississippi resident.
The Tommy Ramey Scholarship Endowment: Majoring in Culinary Arts (both HM and DN eligible), overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12hrs), evidence of participation in student activities and/or extracurricular activities, Mississippi resident.
The Louise Burnett Scholarship Endowment: Dietetics and Nutrition major, overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, full-time enrollment status (minimum of 12hrs), outstanding academic and leadership record.

Department of Social Work Scholarships

The Social Work Department currently has a small number of scholarships available for MSW students.

General Requirements and Information

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is crucial for accessing various forms of financial aid, including scholarships. Completion of the FAFSA is required for all forms of financial aid for which you might apply. The FAFSA is used to determine financial need for Scholarships. We recommend you apply online for fastest results. The school FAFSA code is 002440.

Renewal of Awards

These awards are fixed amounts that are renewable for up to four years as long as all terms and conditions are met

Deadlines

Qualifying tests must be taken prior to enrollment as a new freshman at The University of Mississippi. Some of our scholarships have different deadlines. To be considered for any scholarship, you must first apply and gain admission to Ole Miss, then submit the Freshman Scholarship Application. The Freshman Scholarship Application is due by the January 10 deadline. Application for the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Scholarship 3 must be submitted by February 1. Application for the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Scholarship 6 must be submitted by April 15.

Cost of Attendance for International Students

PLEASE NOTE: International students are charged the Out-of-State tuition rate and are also charged an International Student Fee of \$100 per semester.

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