Undergraduate Scholarships
Freshman Scholarships: Academic, Competitive, Designation-Based, and National Merit
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Freshman Scholarships | FAQs
These FAQs are pertaining to receiving and applying-to freshman scholarships at The University of 51¶ºÄÌ Mississippi.
The GO System is an abbreviation for the Golden Opportunities Scholarship and Competitive Programs Application System. The GO System houses a variety of scholarship opportunities for incoming and continuing students at 51¶ºÄÌ Miss. Once admitted, students can search, review requirements, apply and accept their scholarships in one web portal! Click here to view instructions on applying for scholarships in the GO System.
For all freshman scholarships listed below, students must be admitted with all final test scores submitted to the Office of 51¶ºÄÌ and any additional scholarship applications submitted prior to midnight of the scholarship application deadline with all appropriate documentation attached to the online scholarship application.
- Academic Scholarships: No, students will be automatically considered for the Academic Excellence Scholarship. We strongly recommend students complete the Golden Opportunities General Application for other scholarship opportunities.
- Competitive Scholarships: Yes, students must apply for competitive scholarships by February 1, 2025 through the GO System.
- National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship: No, students will automatically see these offers once the National Merit Corporation sends us their verified roster. If you do not receive a National Merit Semi-finalist offer, please email scholars@usm.ed with proof of your status.
- National Merit Finalist Scholarships: Yes, students must apply and submit official documentation by May 1 through the GO System for National Merit Finalist Scholarship. Documentation is verification with the National Merit-Corporation that you have registered USM as your first school choice.
- Designation-Based Scholarships: Yes, students must apply and submit official documentation by August 1 through the GO System
- Foundation, Alumni, Major & Interest Scholarships: Yes, you need to complete the general application in the GO System by March 1, 2025 for priority consideration. On your application is submitted, there may be other recommended opportunities to apply for and submit.
Click here to view instructions on applying for scholarships in the GO System.
Scores from the December test date will be used to update student scholarship offers for competitive programs if the student was admitted by December 1st and submit their updated test scores by January 10th. Test scores must be submitted to the Office of 51¶ºÄÌ.
Students have until March 1 to submit new scores for Academic Excellence consideration and scholarship adjustments will be sent to the student’s home address by mid March if the Academic Excellence Scholarship offer is increased. We will not accept scores after the March 1 deadline.
- Joe Paul Leadership Scholars Program, Office of 51¶ºÄÌ | 601-266-5000
- Luckyday Citizenship Scholars Program, Luckday | 601-266-5981
- Honors Scholars Award, Honors College | 601-266-4533
- McCarty Scholars Program, Office of Undergraduate Scholarships | 601-266-4540
Yes, students must accept all USM scholarship(s) via the GO System, except the Academic Excellence Scholarship and Incoming Freshman Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship. The Academic Excellence Scholarship and Incoming Freshman Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship are accepted in SOAR. Click here for instructions on how to accept these two awards in SOAR.
If you do not accept your scholarship by the stated deadline, your scholarship will be cancelled. Click here to view instructions on accepting your scholarship in the GO System.
- Academic and Competitive Scholarships: May 1
- Designation-Based and National Merit Scholarships: August 15