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Office of Financial Aid
University of Mississippi

Non-Resident Freshman Merit & Achievement Based Scholarships

We enjoy recognizing students for their hard work and dedication during their high school years.  These awards are given to students based only on their high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and/or the activities they participated in during these years. Select each section for additional details!

Academic Merit 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 32 and 33+ ACT levels, the non-resident scholarship will be set to the value of the non-resident fee in Year One and capped at that amount for all undergraduates (including Pharmacy) for the life of the scholarship.
    • Similarly, 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.)
  • Eligibility: Entering Freshman with minimum 3.0 high school GPA and 25 ACT score for non-residents (or the SAT/SAT-R equivalent). Beginning in the 2021-2022 academic year, 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


Academic Excellence National Merit Finalist/Semifinalist Scholarship

  • Award Amount:  Includes full tuition scholarship and the standard cost of a double occupancy room in a campus residence hall. Also covers full non-resident fee, if applicable. 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

National Merit Finalist Scholarship

  • 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

Barnard Scholarship

  • 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

Academic Success Non-Resident

  • Award Amount: $12,000 ($3,000 / year)
  • Eligibility: Entering freshmen who have a 3.75 or higher high school GPA. This cannot stack with Academic Merit.
  • How to Apply: Gain admission to The University of Mississippi.
  • Deadline: Award must be made within the first term of enrollment.
  • For More Information: Office of Financial Aid, 800-891-4596
  • E-mail:finaid@olemiss.edu

J. Means Non-Resident Scholarship

  • Award Amount: Ranges from $5,000 – $8,000)
  • Eligibility: Incoming, first-year, full-time students who are residents of Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette Counties in Tennessee, with a minimum high school GPA of 3.75 and either no test score or ACT equivalent of 23 and below – OR- students with an ACT score of at least 24 and a high school GPA of at least 3.0..
  • How to Apply: Gain admission to The University of Mississippi. Qualifying tests must be taken prior to enrollment as a new freshman at 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

STEM Major Non-Resident Scholarship

  • Award Amount: $8,000 ($2,000 / year toward out-of state tuition)
  • Eligibility: to incoming, first-year, full-time students with at least a 3.5 high school grade point average (GPA) and a 28 ACT (or the SAT/SAT-R equivalent) who will be enrolled in any of the following STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) majors:

B.A. in Physics
B.S. in Physics
B.S. in Geology
B.S. in Forensic Chemistry
B.A. in Chemistry
B.S. in Chemistry
B.A. in Mathematics
B.S. in Mathematics
B.A. in Biochemistry
B.A. in Biology
B.S. in Biology
B.S. in Biological Science
B.S.G.E. in Geological Engineering
B.S.M.E. in Mechanical Engineering
B.S.E.E. in Electrical Engineering
B.S.C.E. in Civil Engineering
B.S.Ch.E. in Chemical Engineering
B.E. in Engineering
B.S. in Engineering
B.S. in Computer Engineering
B.A. in Computer Science
B.S.C.S. in Computer Science
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering

High School Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship

  • 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

Student Body President Scholarship

  • 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

Eagle Scout/Gold Award Scholarship

  • 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

Boys State/Girls State Scholarship

  • 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

Red & Blue Scholarship

  • 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. In addition nonresidents must have a 25+ ACT (or SAT equalivalent) and at least a 3.0 HS GPA.
  • 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