Office of National Scholarship Advisement
The Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) supports and advises students applying for a select number of competitive national and international merit-based awards.
Office of National Scholarship Advisement
The Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) supports and advises students applying for a select number of competitive national and international merit-based awards.
These awards offer life changing opportunities where academic excellence, leadership, and active communal engagement are valued and nurtured. This is not just a gateway to undergraduate and graduate school funding, but an opportunity to further your mind, commit to bettering our world, and actively engage in a scholarship community.
National scholarships are competitive awards that reward scholastic achievement and civic engagement. Typically they fund study, research, or teaching in the United States and abroad. These merit-based scholarships recognize leadership potential and engagement with the world’s economic, social, political, and environmental issues. There are many things students can do to become competitive for such awards. It all starts with becoming engaged with your classes, your professors, and your community–starting your freshman year.
Interested UM students are encouraged to contact the Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) at onsa@olemiss.edu to learn more, or attend any of our ONSA Scholarship Workshops.
Making a Difference Through Scholarship
28 Fulbright Student Awardees
From 2020-2025, 28 University of Mississippi students have received Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards. The Fulbright is one of the United States' most prestigious scholarship programs and supports students who are passionate about international study, research, teaching, and cultural immersion.
28 Boren Awards
In the past five years, 28 University of Mississippi students have been awarded the prestigious Boren Scholarships or Fellowships. The Boren supports a year of intensive Critical Language study and valuable cultural experience for students who are passionate about language and committed to public service, working in critical positions to U.S. national security.
12 Goldwater Scholars
From 2020-2025, ONSA and the University of Mississippi have supported 20 students applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, 12 of whom were selected as Goldwater Scholars. The Goldwater Scholarship Foundation provides undergraduate funding to exceptional sophomores and juniors who are pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics.
5 Truman Scholars in 4 Years
In the past four years, ONSA and the University of Mississippi have been proud to have 5 Truman Scholars. The Truman Scholarship provides graduate funding for students who are committed to public service careers and are aspiring leaders in the world's most vital economic, political, social, and environmental issues. In 2022, for only the second time in Mississippi history, two Mississippi students, Jilkiah Bryant and Andy Flores, were chosen as Truman Scholars.
About ONSA
The Office of National Scholarship Advisement (ONSA) supports the University of Mississippi’s mission to engage minds, transform lives, and serve others by helping students become effective citizen-scholars.
Who We Are
ONSA helps eligible students, including University of Mississippi undergraduates and graduate students, find and apply for national competitive scholarships and fellowships that fund research, international study, professional development, or post-baccalaureate study. We provide advice and professional guidance throughout the application process and offer information and writing workshops as well as individual advising throughout the year.
Diversity Statement: ONSA serves ALL students and alumni of the University of Mississippi, including all majors and areas of study. Many awards we promote specifically support underrepresented students in higher education. We highly encourage students of ALL backgrounds to explore opportunities with us!
What We Do
ONSA serves all undergraduate, graduate, and alumni students at the University of Mississippi and helps eligible students find and apply for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships. If you are applying for any of our National Scholarships, we can help by providing
- Guidance on the application process
- Institutional endorsements (most prestigious scholarships require a support letter from ONSA)
- Writing consultations and feedback for application essays and statements
- Information sessions on our list of national scholarships and application processes
- Writing workshops
- Interview practice and preparation sessions
Students and alumni who are interested in applying for nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships should first explore our Getting Started page, then schedule an appointment with an ONSA staff member using our Appointment Scheduler.
Meet the Staff in ONSA
Vivian Ibrahim-Dinius
- Associate Professor of History and Director of the Office of National Scholarship Advisement
Whitney Dedmon-Woods
- Assistant Director of Office of National Scholarship Advisement