Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Scholarships at Mississippi Universities

For students aspiring to pursue higher education in Mississippi, understanding the landscape of available scholarships is crucial. Several universities in the state offer various financial aid programs to recognize academic achievements and support students in their educational endeavors. This article delves into scholarship opportunities at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Mississippi University for Women (The W), outlining eligibility requirements, award amounts, and unique program benefits. Additionally, it briefly touches on scholarships at Mississippi College (MC).

The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Provost Scholars Program

The University of Mississippi recognizes academically talented incoming freshmen through the Provost Scholars Program. This program aims to reward and support students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in high school.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Provost Scholars Program at Ole Miss, students must meet the following criteria:

A high school GPA of 3.25 or higher.
An ACT composite score of 26 or higher (or an SAT combined score of 1,170 or higher on the old SAT critical reading/mathematics or 1,240 or higher on the new SAT-R evidence-based reading and writing/mathematics).

It's important to note that there is no separate application process for the Provost Scholars Program. All students who apply to the University and meet the academic requirements are automatically invited to join.

Benefits of Being a Provost Scholar

The Provost Scholars Program offers a range of benefits designed to facilitate student success:

Priority Registration: Provost Scholars receive priority registration, which allows them to enroll in courses they need for timely degree completion. This fall benefit applies to spring courses.
Orientation Session: Provost Scholars attend an orientation session with open availability, providing them with valuable information and resources to navigate university life.
Reserved Course Sections: Provost Scholars may enroll in reserved Provost Scholar course sections, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.
Network-Building Activities: Provost Scholars participate in network-building activities with other Provost Scholars, Deans, faculty, and the Provost, creating valuable connections and mentorship opportunities. These activities may include Ice Cream Socials and Meet-the-Provost sessions.
Exclusive Seminars and Workshops: Provost Scholars have access to exclusive seminars and workshops designed to facilitate success, covering topics such as public speaking and writing for exams.
Research, Internship, and Travel Opportunities: The program provides experiences for research, internship, travel, and more, allowing students to expand their horizons and gain practical skills.
Living Learning Community: The Provost Scholars Living Learning Community (LLC) is housed in Minor Hall, providing a supportive residential environment for Provost Scholars.

Maintaining Membership

To remain a Provost Scholar, students must maintain continuous enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, assessed each year at the conclusion of the August intersession.

It's important to note that while the Provost Scholars Program offers numerous benefits and opportunities, there is no scholarship attached to membership. However, Provost Scholars may be eligible for other merit-based scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

Provost Scholarships at Ole Miss

The Provost Scholarships at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) are awarded to entering freshmen who have demonstrated academic excellence. It can be given to Mississippi residents, or to out-of-state students. The Provost Scholarships have replaced both the Academic Excellence and the Colvard Future Leader Scholarship programs.

To qualify for this scholarship, you must have:

3.75 GPA or higher
ACT score of 30 or higher
SAT score of 1360 or higher

Recipients of Provost Scholarships get an academic scholarship of $8,910 per year, and an additional $4,000 to study abroad. Non-resident students can receive scholarships that pay for up to 100% of their out-of-state tuition.

Read also: The Vice Provost's Influence

Additionally, provost scholars have access to the following:

$1,500 research grant
One-summer optional tuition credit for $1,000 ($2,400 for out-of-state students) and free housing for the summer in Griffis Hall
Optional $750 travel grant to attend a conference
Opportunities to research by the spring of their second year, and create a research report to present at an Ole Miss undergraduate research symposium
Participation in provost scholar activities and the opportunities they provide

Mississippi University for Women (The W) Scholarships

Mississippi University for Women (The W) is committed to supporting its students through various financial awards that recognize academic achievement and provide assistance for their studies.

General Requirements

To qualify for a scholarship award at The W, a student's ACT/SAT score and their college preparatory curriculum (CPC) grade point average from high school are weighed to determine their award range. Students must also be eligible to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All merit awards begin with at least an 18 ACT or 940 SAT and a 3.0 CPC GPA or a 20 ACT or 1030 SAT and a 2.75 CPC GPA. The priority deadline for awards is May 1, and students are strongly encouraged to apply by this deadline to ensure full consideration for scholarships. The application requires a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor.

Premier Scholarship Programs

Students can submit the Premier Scholarship Application to be considered for one or more of the Premier Scholarship Programs. Selected students are expected to participate in Interview Day on November 14th to be considered for a scholarship. Students must be admitted to the university to complete the Premier Scholarships Application.

Centennial Scholarship

The Centennial Scholarship is The W’s most prestigious scholarship, covering the full cost of tuition, room and board, and including a small book stipend. Ten Centennial Scholarships are awarded each year. Recipients also participate in the Ina E. Gordy Honors Forum and receive a one-time $5,000 award toward the Study Abroad program.

Read also: Scholarship Opportunities at UAB

Honors Award

The Honors Award is The W’s second most prestigious scholarship, with an average award of $33,000 over four years. Ten Honors Awards are given each year. Recipients also participate in the Ina E. Gordy Honors Forum and receive a one-time $2,500 award toward the Study Abroad program.

Other Scholarship Opportunities at The W

The W offers a variety of other scholarships to support students with diverse backgrounds and achievements:

First-Generation Student Scholarship: This award is $8,000 over four years and is given to students whose parents did not complete a bachelor’s degree.
The W Leadership Program: This leadership development initiative empowers students and addresses barriers to their success. The award is $10,000 over four years.
International Freshman Merit Scholarship: Prospective international freshman students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA may apply for this one-time merit scholarship, which is based on the student's ACT/SAT score and GPA.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian Awards: The W awards one-year scholarships to first-time college students who were valedictorians ($500) or salutatorians ($400) of their high school class.
Phi Theta Kappa Award: Early College High School graduates who are members of Phi Theta Kappa may be awarded $2,000 per year, reserved for members with at least a 3.0 overall transferable GPA and 24 transferable hours. Proof of membership is required.
EMCC Tuition Guarantee: Students who earn an Associate of Arts Degree from EMCC, are Lowndes County residents, and have a 2.5 overall transferable GPA are eligible to apply for this award, which covers the remaining cost of tuition for four semesters at The W after any university awards and grants are applied.
Eagle Scout/Gold Award Scholarship: Incoming freshmen beginning in Fall 2023 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout or the Gold Award may receive $1,000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years if the student maintains a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Jana Brown Tyler Scholarship: This scholarship covers full tuition and is renewable but not to exceed eight semesters for a freshman and four semesters for a transfer student, based on the 124 hours required to graduate with an undergraduate degree.
G. Halbert Uplift Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to one student who has been admitted to The W as a full-time freshman or first-year transfer student, with preference given to African-American students from Lowndes County or Oktibbeha County in Mississippi. Selection is based on GPA and essay.
Jeraldine Pruden Scholarship: This scholarship supports undergraduate students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and a commitment to pursuing a career in law. Preference is given to in-state students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who plan to attend law school.
Alumni Association Scholarships: Mississippi students whose parents or grandparents graduated from The W and are active members of the MUW Alumni Association are eligible to receive a renewable scholarship of $400 per year. The MUWAA Legacy Scholarship is awarded to one family member of an alum who has been admitted to MUW as a new, full-time student. The selection is based on the student’s potential for academic and leadership success at MUW. Additionally, the Culinary Arts Advisory Board Scholarship is awarded each fall semester, supported by funds from an endowed scholarship funded by the MUW Alumni Association.
First Generation College Student Scholarship: The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association’s First Generation College Student Scholarship is established to support a First Generation College Student and to help alleviate some of the financial concerns associated with furthering their education at MUW. The priority deadline to submit applications to the MUWAA is June 1st for the following fall semester.
Women’s College Scholarships: All MUW students, regardless of gender, are eligible to enroll in the Women’s College. Students receiving Women’s College scholarships must complete all the requirements as either an 1884 Scholar or an 1884 Fellow, including course credit and activity points. The 1884 Scholar Scholarships and 1884 Fellow Scholarships are awarded in two rounds for incoming students.
MSMS Scholarship: This scholarship is exclusively available to graduates of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS). It is non-stackable and cannot be combined with any other Mississippi University for Women Academic Scholarships.

General Scholarship Requirements

Most MUW scholarships and awards are for a period of one academic year (fall and spring only). To receive and renew scholarships, all scholarship recipients must earn at least 12 hours per semester at The W and maintain a 2.5 or higher MUW cumulative grade point average per academic year. Students at the point of admission will have 8 semesters of award eligibility. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to have their award renewed. Students may receive more than one type of scholarship to attend The W. However, the total W award package, including state, federal, institutional, and private funds, may not exceed the total cost of attendance.

Provost Scholars Workshop

The W also encourages students to attend a Provost Scholars workshop to learn how to move beyond high school and create a professional profile that will display their college achievements. This workshop focuses on basics of resumes and cover letters, while gaining insights into the benefits of hands-on professional experience.

Mississippi College (MC) Scholarships

Mississippi College offers academic scholarships to incoming freshmen and transfer students based on their academic achievements. Incoming freshmen are awarded scholarships based on a combination of their standardized test score (ACT/SAT/CLT) and their high school GPA. Transfer scholarships are determined by the student's GPA. There is no deadline for academic scholarships, meaning this award can increase, according to our matrix, up until the time you enroll. For that reason, we encourage students to take standardized test multiple times up until the point of enrollment.

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