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Office of Financial Aid
University of Mississippi

Mississippi 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 in which they participated.  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 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). 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 Semifinalist/Finalist Scholarship

  • 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

National Merit Finalist Award

  • 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

Mississippi Star Student

  • 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

High School Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship

  • Award Amount: $6,000 ($1,500 / 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

Mississippi All Star Scholarship

  • 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
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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

  • 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

Mississippi Boys State/Girls State Scholarship

  • 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

AICE Cambridge Diploma Scholarship

  • 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

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.
  • 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

Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship

  • 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:
    • Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, 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)
    • 3.0 high-school GPA
  • How to Apply: The two applications listed below are required every year.
    • Submit a FAFSA by March 1 (extended to June 1 for the 2024-2025 year, due to delays in Federal processing this year) 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

Sumners Scholarship

  • 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 additional information, please visit our Sumners Scholarship Page.

Child of Faculty/Staff Scholarship

  • 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