Mississippi Resident Freshman Merit & Achievement Based Scholarships

• Award Amount: Please see the following chart for award amounts. These awards are fixed amounts that are renewable for up to four years as long as all terms and conditions are met. Also note:
  • At the 33+ ACT level, the scholarship stipend will be set to the value of tuition in Year One and capped at that amount for all undergraduates (including Pharmacy) for the life of the scholarship.)
  • Mississippi residents who earn at least a 3.5 high school GPA and 23 ACT score (or the SAT/SAT-R equivalent) are eligible for the additional 1848 scholarship. These award amounts are included on the Mississippi Residents chart.
• Eligibility: Entering Freshman with minimum 3.0 high school GPA and 23 ACT score for Mississippi residents (or the SAT/SAT-R equivalent). 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.
• How to Apply: Gain admission to the University of Mississippi.
• Deadline: Qualifying tests must be taken prior to enrollment as a new freshman at the University of Mississippi.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

2025-2026 Mississippi Freshmen

• Award Amount: Includes full tuition scholarship and the standard cost of a double occupancy room in a campus residence hall. Please be advised that these awards are renewable for up to four years as long as all terms and conditions are met. These cannot be stacked with the Academic Merit awards.
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen with National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist status and a 3.0 or higher GPA.
• How to Apply: Gain admission to the University of Mississippi. Provide documentation of National Merit standing.
• Deadline: Follows National Merit announcement timeline.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $4,000 ($1,000 per year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshman with finalist status and selection of Ole Miss as first choice and who are not receiving a National Merit Corporate award
• How to Apply: Gain admission to the University of Mississippi. Select Ole Miss as first-choice school with National Merit office.
• Deadline: Follows National Merit announcement timeline.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $20,000 ($5,000/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who have achieved National Merit Finalist status and have a 3.0 or higher high school GPA.
• How to Apply: Gain admission to the University of Mississippi. Provide documentation of National Merit standing.
• Deadline: Follows National Merit announcement timeline.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $8,000 ($2,000/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen from Mississippi who have been selected as the Star Student of their high school.
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid. Documentation may be faxed to 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $8,000 ($2,000/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who are named Valedictorian or Salutatorian of their high school. This award is intended for 2 incoming freshmen from each school, so the HS must maintain class rankings.
• How to Apply: Notify the Office of Financial Aid; a letter from a high school official must confirm (1) they have ranked the graduating class, and (2) the student has obtained the ranking of #1 or #2. Documentation may be faxed to the Office of Financial Aid at 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $4,000 ($1,000/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen from Mississippi who have been selected as one of the top 20 All-Star Scholarships by the Mississippi Economic Council.
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid. Documentation may be faxed to 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $6,000 ($1,500/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who served in the top elected position in their high school as president of the entire Student Body (or Student Council).
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid. Documentation may be faxed to 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: New freshmen will receive $6,000 ($1,500/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who have achieved the levels of Eagle Scout or Gold Award.
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid. Documentation may be faxed to 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $4,000 ($1,000/year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who are named as Governor to their state OR the state delegate to Boys Nation/Girls Nation.
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid at 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $1,000 (one-year only)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who participated in Mississippi Boys State/Girls State.
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid at 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: $8,000 ($2,000 per year)
• Eligibility: Entering freshmen who are residents of Mississippi and the Memphis area who have earned the AICE Cambridge Diploma while in high school, and have at least a 3.0 high school GPA.
• How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid at 662-915-1164.
• Deadline: Confirmation must be received within the first term of enrollment.
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: Individually calculated per student to help meet a set percentage of the student’s financial need as a freshman.
• Eligibility: To be eligible for Red & Blue, you must be a first-time/fulltime freshman with financial need after all other awards are considered.
• How to Apply: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Deadline: Awarding priority will be given to students who demonstrate eligibility by April 1. Additional awards will be based on availability of funds.
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Award Amount: This guarantee program provides a benefits package that covers tuition, plus cost for meals and UM-Managed Housing. It is individually calculated “filling the gap” per student up to the set cap each year. For 2025-2026, this guarantee of basic cost was value at $20,942 to include all other grant and scholarship aid awarded to the student. For 2025-2026, an additional $500 will be awarded for books.
• Eligibility: To be eligible for Ole Miss Opportunity, you must be a Mississippi resident, U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a first-time entering freshman at the start of the fall semester in which you first enroll, seeking a degree, and enrolled full-time at Ole Miss. In addition, you must meet the following criteria:
  • The family income listed on your FAFSA (from the federal tax return) must be at or below $40,000
  • Eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Student Aid Index (SAI) no higher than 6,655
  • 3.0 high-school GPA
• How to Apply: The two applications listed below are required every year.
  • Submit a FAFSA by March 1 prior to the fall semester for automatic consideration.
  • Submit the State of Mississippi Financial Aid Application for the MS HELP, MTAG, and MESG grants. (Priority may be given to those who file it by March 31).
• For More Information: Click here.
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu

• Eligibility:
  • The student must be a resident of Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery or Webster County in Mississippi who desires and can benefit from a higher education. For award amounts and how to apply, please visit our Sumners Scholarship Page.

• Award Amount: One-half tuition per semester (full tuition per semester for those children of parents employed before July 1, 1977)
• Eligibility: Students whose parents are full-time, permanent employees of the University of Mississippi’s main campus and/or its branch campuses.
• How to Apply: Print the application (PDF format) and submit to the Office of Financial Aid.
• Deadline: N/A
• For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
• E-mail: finaid@olemiss.edu