Academic Excellence Scholarships

The Academic Excellence Scholarships are merit-based awards designated for high school seniors who are fully admitted to the University of Southern Mississippi and enroll during the fall semester immediately after high school graduation without attending any other college. These scholarships are automatically awarded based on high school GPA and standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), with award amounts ranging from $1,500 to full tuition annually depending on academic achievement. All awards are automatically renewed for a total of 4 years (8 consecutive fall/spring semesters) as long as the student maintains a 2.5 USM cumulative GPA and completes 15 USM credit hours each fall and spring semester. Students with exceptional academic credentials (3.6+ GPA and 32+ ACT score) may also qualify for an additional housing scholarship covering the full value of a double occupancy room during the first year. Official test scores must be submitted and processed by March 1 for scholarship consideration, and students must accept awards by May 1 in the SOAR system.