Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Ole Miss National Merit Scholarships
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) offers a variety of scholarships to students, encompassing both merit-based and need-based awards. For those high-achieving students who are recognized as National Merit Finalists or Semifinalists, a range of significant scholarship opportunities are available. This article provides a detailed overview of these scholarships, focusing on eligibility requirements, award amounts, and how to apply, with particular attention to the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG).
Merit-Based Scholarships at Ole Miss
Ole Miss recognizes students for their hard work and dedication during their high school years, offering awards based on high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and extracurricular activities. These scholarships are generally renewable for subsequent undergraduate years, provided the recipient maintains the required grade point average. It is important to review the specific terms and conditions of each scholarship.
Non-Resident Freshman Merit and Achievement-Based Scholarships
These scholarships recognize the accomplishments of incoming non-resident students and help make attending Ole Miss more affordable. To be considered a "freshman" for these scholarships, students must not have earned more than 18 college credit hours after high school graduation; dual enrollment courses taken during high school do not count towards this limit.
Academic Merit Scholarships
Entering freshmen with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA are eligible for Academic Merit Scholarships. These are fixed amounts that are renewable for up to four years as long as all terms and conditions are met. This is a fee-specific scholarship that pays towards the non-resident fee and does not stack with Academic Success NR. The specific award amounts can be found on the Ole Miss financial aid website.
Academic Excellence National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist Scholarship
Entering freshmen with National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist status and a 3.0 or higher GPA are eligible for this scholarship. The award covers the cost of tuition and housing and also covers non-resident fees for out-of-state students.
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Mississippi Resident Freshman Merit and Achievement-Based Scholarships
These scholarships are designed for incoming Mississippi residents. To be considered a "freshman" for these scholarships, students must not have earned more than 18 college credit hours after high school graduation; dual enrollment courses taken during high school do not count towards this limit.
Academic Merit Scholarships
Entering freshmen with a minimum 3.0 high school GPA and a 23 ACT score (or the SAT equivalent) are eligible for Academic Merit Scholarships. The university will accept super scores (highest subject tests from ACT/SAT when scores from multiple test dates are submitted for admission). These awards are renewable for up to four years as long as all terms and conditions are met and cannot be stacked with the Academic Merit awards. Mississippi residents who earn at least a 3.5 high school GPA and 23 ACT score (or the SAT equivalent) are eligible for the additional 1848 scholarship.
High School Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship
Entering freshmen who are named Valedictorian or Salutatorian of their high school are eligible for this scholarship, which awards $8,000 ($2,000/year). This award is intended for two incoming freshmen from each school, so the high school must maintain class rankings. To apply, students must notify the Office of Financial Aid, and 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.
The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG)
The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant (MESG) is a program created by the Mississippi Legislature to provide financial assistance to Mississippi residents attending state-approved public and private not-for-profit two-year and four-year eligible colleges and universities. The primary objective of MESG is to provide educational opportunities for high-achieving high school students who wish to pursue postsecondary education in the state.
Eligibility Requirements for Entering Freshmen
To be eligible for MESG as an entering freshman, students must:
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- Be a legal resident of the State of Mississippi for one year prior to high school or Home School completion.
- Earn a high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. (Home School applicants must submit a signed transcript of 9th through 12th grades.)
- Score a minimum of a 29 on the National ACT (1350 on the SAT), or be named a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist. ACT Superscores are accepted.
- Enroll full-time at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility Requirements for Students Currently Enrolled in College
Students currently enrolled in college may also be eligible for MESG if they:
- Meet all the eligibility requirements of the entering freshman and apply within three years of high school graduation.
- Have a minimum 3.5 cumulative college GPA on at least 12 completed college hours but no more than 18 completed college hours.
- Attend an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi in a program of study leading to a first certificate, first associate’s, or first bachelor’s degree.
- Enroll full-time and maintain full-time enrollment (complete with passing grades) each semester. Full-time enrollment is 12 hours per semester.
Award Amount and Length of Eligibility
MESG awards up to $2,500 per academic year, but awards may not exceed tuition and required fees. A recipient may receive MESG for up to 8 semesters or degree completion, whichever comes first. No student may receive undergraduate grant aid through more than one state-supported undergraduate grant program in the same term of enrollment. If a student is eligible for aid through multiple grant programs, the student shall be awarded from the program that awards the larger sum. No student shall receive undergraduate grant aid from any program or any combination of programs for more than eight semesters.
How to Apply for MESG
To apply for MESG, students must:
- Complete the online application each and every academic year for which the applicant seeks aid.
- Submit required supporting documents. New applicants and some renewal applicants with a break in enrollment will be required to submit two forms of residency documentation.
Preferred Residency Documents:
- FAFSA
- Mississippi driver’s license (can be submitted electronically during the online application)
Alternate Residency Documents Accepted:
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- State Tax Return (NOT Federal) for the current tax filing year. Dependent students would provide a signed copy of the first three pages of the parent’s return. Independent students would provide a signed copy of the student’s return.
- Homestead Exemption
- Voter Registration
- MS Road and Bridge Privilege Tax Registration Receipt
Note: The Office of Financial Aid receives FAFSA results electronically for all Mississippi residents. When possible, the state tax return or Mississippi driver’s license pending document will be replaced by the FAFSA.
Important Dates for MESG
- Application Dates: October 1 - September 15
- Supporting Documents Deadline: October 15 (following September 15 application deadline)
Maintaining MESG Eligibility
To maintain continuous full-time enrollment during the fall and spring during each successive academic year, unless granted an exception for cause. If a recipient fails to maintain continuous full-time enrollment, unless granted an exception for cause, that student is ineligible to receive funds during the next semester of full-time enrollment of a regular academic year. Summer semester enrollment is not considered part of the regular academic year.
A student must maintain full-time enrollment. If a student drops below full-time status during a semester of the academic year, that student is ineligible to receive funds during the next semester of full-time enrollment of a regular academic year.
Continuing eligibility for MTAG will be evaluated at the end of each semester of the regular academic year. Cumulative grades (3.5 required) and continuous full-time enrollment will be evaluated.
Regaining MESG Eligibility
If a student loses MESG eligibility due to less than full-time enrollment status, that student must attend, without the benefit of MESG funds, one full-time semester during a regular academic year before regaining eligibility unless an exception for cause has been granted. If a student loses MESG eligibility due to having less than a 3.5 GPA, that student will regain eligibility when the cumulative GPA is improved to the required minimum.
MESG and Summer School
MESG is available during the regular academic year only and is not available for summer school.
Reinstatement of MESG Award
If a MESG award was canceled because the institution reported that the student was not enrolled full-time, the award can be reinstated, but the student must get their institution to submit an electronic enrollment verification report verifying that they are full-time by the applicable deadline for the term of enrollment. The deadline for Fall term is October 15, and for Spring term is March 15.
If a MESG award for the Spring term was canceled because the institution reported that the Fall semester cumulative GPA was below the required 3.5, and due to grade changes, the cumulative GPA is now 3.5 or better, the institution must submit an electronic grade verification report demonstrating that the student earned the minimum required GPA. The grade verification must be received by March 15.
Other Scholarship Opportunities at Ole Miss
Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship
The Ole Miss Opportunity Scholarship guarantees the basic cost of attendance is fully met for eligible Mississippi students through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid. To be eligible, students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a first-time entering freshman at the start of the fall semester in which they first enroll, seeking a degree, and enrolled full-time at Ole Miss. In addition, they 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
To apply, students must submit a FAFSA by March 1 prior to the fall semester for automatic consideration and submit the State of Mississippi Financial Aid Application for the MS HELP, MTAG, and MESG grants. For award amounts and how to apply, please visit our Sumners Scholarship Page.
Compilation of Large Merit Awards for National Merit Finalists and Semifinalists
Ole Miss offers a range of large merit awards for National Merit Finalists and Semifinalists. These awards can include:
- Full Tuition: covers the cost of tuition for 4 years
- Full Ride: covers Tuition, Room, and Board for 4 years (may include other benefits as well)
- exp: stipend for experiential learning (internship, study abroad, etc., allowable uses vary by college)
National Merit Scholarships at Other Universities
Many universities across the United States offer significant financial incentives to attract National Merit Finalists and Semifinalists. These scholarships can range from full tuition to full rides, covering tuition, fees, housing, meals, and books. Some examples include:
- Full Tuition or Better, No Residency Required, Automatic:
- Faulkner University
- Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
- Florida International University (FIU)
- Liberty University
- New College of Florida
- Oakwood University
- Oklahoma Christian University (OC)
- Texas Tech
- The University of Alabama
- University of Idaho
- University of Maine
- University of Mississippi (Ole Miss): Academic Excellence National Merit Semifinalist/Finalist Scholarship
- University of Missouri
- University of New Mexico
- University of North Texas
- University of Southern Mississippi
- University of South Florida (USF)
- UT Dallas
- University of Tulsa (TU)
- University of West Florida (UWF)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
- Partial Tuition or Other Benefits:
- ASU
- BYU
- Bryan College
- Iowa State University
- La Sierra University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
- Northern Arizona University
- Oklahoma State University (OSU)
- University of Houston
- University of Oklahoma (OU)
Private Scholarships
Private scholarships are awards provided by organizations outside of the University, such as Elks, Rotary, your local high school, national organizations, churches, etc. Students apply directly to the organization sponsoring the scholarship. The organization then selects the recipient(s) and sends the funds to the University, which are then applied to the student's Bursar’s account. If a student receives a private scholarship award, this may impact their financial aid award since the combination of all financial aid and scholarships cannot exceed their cost of attendance. If needed, the loans that are offered to students will be reduced first, then other aid. If you know that you will be receiving a private scholarship, please contact our office as soon as possible to prevent receiving an overaward and possible repayment of aid you have already received.
The Significance of National Merit Recognition
Becoming a National Merit Semifinalist is an impressive achievement, as just the top 1% of scorers in a given state receive that recognition. National Merit Finalists begin as National Merit Semifinalists-an honor earned by scoring highly on the PSAT/NMSQT. Just 16,000 students out of over 1.5 million test takers are recognized as Semifinalists!
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