University of Southern Mississippi Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Looking at colleges in Mississippi? The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a solid option for families who want good value without leaving the state. This guide breaks down scholarships, real costs, and financial aid strategies—all in plain English. If you’re a Mississippi resident, be sure to check our Mississippi state aid guide for programs that can stack with USM awards.
💰 Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)
Assumes full-time enrollment under USM’s flat-rate band (12–19 credit hours/term).
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (annual) | $10,394 | $12,394 |
| Housing & Meal Plan (on-campus average) | $12,278 | $12,278 |
| Books & Supplies (standard allowance) | $860 | $860 |
| Transportation (standard allowance) | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Personal/Misc. (standard allowance) | $3,344 | $3,344 |
| Course Fees (avg.) | $610 | $610 |
| Total (before aid) | $28,786 | $30,786 |
Flat-rate band confirmed by Business Services (12–19 hours/term). On-campus budget shown; off-campus and living-with-parents budgets are lower.
- Who qualifies? Residents of participating Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states admitted to a USM program not offered in their home state.
- How is the price set? Approved students pay in-state tuition at USM for that approved major.
- Real $ savings (simple example): Out-of-state tuition/fees $12,394 → in-state $10,394 = about $2,000/year savings on tuition/fees (housing/meal and other costs unchanged).
- Automatic or application? Application-based: approval required through your state ACM coordinator + USM certification; program availability varies.
Tip: Search the ACM inventory to confirm your major, then follow USM’s ACM steps.
COA & Waiver FAQ
- Who gets the ACM rate? Only students in approved majors whose home states don’t offer that program and who complete state/USM ACM certification.
- How much can we save? Typical tuition/fee difference is roughly $2,000 per year at USM (2025–26). Amounts can change with IHL approvals.
- Do we have to apply? Yes. Apply through your state’s ACM office and coordinate with USM Financial Aid; approval is not automatic and program lists can change.
• USM Financial Aid — “Cost of Attendance Future Year (Fall 2025/Spring 2026)” — accessed Aug 17, 2025 — https://www.usm.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance-future-year.php
• USM Business Services — “General Tuition & Fees (2025–2026; 12–19 credit flat band)” — accessed Aug 17, 2025 — https://www.usm.edu/business-services/general-tuition-fees.php
• NCES IPEDS Data Feedback Report (confirms 2022–23 net price metric/definition) — accessed Aug 17, 2025 — https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/dfr/2024/ReportHTML.aspx?unitId=176372
• Average Net Price value cross-verified from IPEDS-sourced summaries (latest available 2022–23).
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
At Southern Miss, automatic scholarships are tied to GPA and test scores when you apply by the priority deadline. These awards help bring down the sticker price—especially for strong in-state students and nonresidents with solid ACT/SAT results.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship (In-State) | $2,000–$3,000/year | Mississippi residents with ACT 21–23 and 3.0+ GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA; full-time) | Local students with solid but not top scores; most admitted freshmen in this band receive it |
| Freshman Academic Distinction Scholarship (In-State) | $4,000–$6,000/year | ACT 24–28 and 3.0+ GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA; full-time) | Stronger in-state students; the majority in this band secure the award |
| Freshman Academic Excellence/Distinction (Nonresident) | $6,000–$11,000/year | Nonresidents with ACT 23–29 and 3.0+ GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA; full-time) | Most out-of-state admits with scores in this range; brings OOS cost closer to in-state levels |
| Freshman Academic Excellence/Distinction (High Scores) | $12,000–$16,000/year | ACT 30–36 and 3.0+ GPA | No | Yes (3.0 GPA; full-time) | Top students—both residents and nonresidents—score near-full tuition coverage |
Note: GPA/test score cutoffs are approximate, based on official award charts and prior recipient data. Actual cutoffs can shift each year depending on applicant pool and funding.
FAQ
Do I need a separate application?
No. Students are automatically considered if they apply for admission by the published deadline.
Does Southern Miss superscore the ACT?
Yes. They consider your highest sub-scores across test dates, which can boost eligibility for higher awards.
Can I stack automatic scholarships with the Academic Common Market?
No. ACM tuition savings and automatic scholarships cannot be combined. Families should compare which option results in the bigger discount.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards go beyond grades and test scores. They’re limited in number, often require essays or interviews, and can cover much more than tuition. Here’s what’s on the table at Southern Miss:
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | Full tuition + housing + stipend | High GPA + ACT/SAT; Apply to USM by Dec 1; Scholarship app due Jan 15 |
Yes – separate application & interview | Yes, if GPA & service maintained | Only about 20–25 students selected each year; typical winners have near-perfect GPAs, ACT 30+, and strong leadership/service. |
| Luckyday Citizenship Scholarship | Up to $6,000 per year | Mississippi residents; min 3.0 GPA; Scholarship app due Jan 15; separate Luckyday application also required |
Yes – separate foundation application | Yes, if service & GPA standards met | Around 60 new recipients each year across Mississippi; winners usually show strong community service, leadership, and steady academics. |
FAQs
Why are these called “competitive”?
Because they have limited slots and require extra steps like essays or interviews. Only a fraction of applicants are selected.
Is the Luckyday Scholarship just for USM?
No. Luckyday is a Mississippi-based foundation program offered at a few universities, including Southern Miss. Each campus runs its own cohort.
Can I apply for both?
Yes, if you meet the criteria and deadlines. Winning both is rare, but you can apply to maximize your chances.
Are these stackable with automatic scholarships?
Often they replace or include automatic awards. Always check your financial aid package to see how it’s combined.
⭐ College Specialties
Southern Miss might not always get the national spotlight, but families in Mississippi know it has a few powerhouse programs worth bragging about.
Other standout areas where Southern Miss gets attention:
- Education (Teacher Preparation): Ranked #90 nationally among U.S. News Best Education Schools (2025), second-highest in Mississippi.
- Sport Management (Online Master’s): Ranked #13 Best Online Master’s by Intelligent.com (2023).
- Symphony Orchestra & Fine Arts: Mississippi’s oldest university symphony orchestra; accredited in all major fine arts areas.
🎓 Honors College at Southern Miss
The Honors College at Southern Miss is one of the oldest in the nation and has two distinct entry paths: Freshman Entry (straight out of high school) and Keystone (for current students who qualify later on). While the program itself doesn’t guarantee automatic scholarships, Honors students often have access to extra funding and research opportunities.
| Scholarship / Program | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors College Entry Scholarships | $1,000 – $2,500/year | Incoming freshmen accepted into the Honors College; strong GPA and test scores expected | Yes – separate Honors app (unless auto-invited) | Yes | High-achieving students with ACT 28+ (SAT 1300+) and GPA around 3.6+ who also show curiosity and leadership. |
| Honors College Research Fellowships | $500 – $2,000 (one-time) | Honors students completing research or creative projects; proposal required | Yes – project proposal | No | Motivated juniors and seniors in Honors with faculty support for their research or capstone project. |
Honors College FAQs
Does every Honors student get a scholarship?
No — many Honors students receive scholarships, but not all. Entry awards are competitive and tied to academic profile.
Is the Honors College worth it if my student already has automatic merit?
Yes, because Honors adds priority registration, smaller classes, research support, and fellowship opportunities that can stack with other aid.
How competitive is entry?
Pretty competitive. Most admitted freshmen have ACT 28+ (SAT 1300+) and strong high school records, but holistic review also matters. Some students with 30+ ACT and 3.5+ GPA receive direct invitations.
Can students join Honors later?
Yes — through the Keystone program, current USM students with a high GPA can apply to join Honors in their sophomore year.
📎 Official Links
🎓 Final Take on Southern Miss Scholarships
Southern Miss is a solid option for Mississippi families who want to keep costs low. The automatic awards are limited, but the Presidential Scholarship and Luckyday Scholars stand out as big opportunities if your student has the grades, test scores, and timing to land one. Add in statewide perks like Academic Common Market programs, and the net cost can be surprisingly affordable compared to going out of state.
Honors College students get extra perks and access, but even outside of that track, Southern Miss leans heavily on need-based aid and Mississippi programs to make the numbers work.
Bottom line: If your student is serious about staying in Mississippi, Southern Miss deserves a close look. It might not throw around automatic full rides like some neighbors, but the flagship awards are competitive enough to be life-changing.
Last updated: August 2025