Unlocking Ole Miss: A Guide to Out-of-State Merit Scholarships

For non-resident students aspiring to attend the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), understanding the landscape of available scholarships is crucial. Non-Resident Fee Specific Scholarships help offset tuition costs for incoming non-resident students at Ole Miss. This article provides a comprehensive overview of merit-based scholarship opportunities specifically designed for out-of-state students, helping to make an Ole Miss education more accessible and affordable. This page provides details on the scholarships available, including eligibility criteria, award amounts, application procedures, and deadlines, so you can plan effectively and take advantage of opportunities to reduce your tuition expenses.

Understanding Non-Resident Fee Specific Scholarships

These scholarships can only be applied directly to the Non-Resident fee. All scholarships specific to this fee can stack, but they cannot exceed the amount of the fee charged. Non-Resident Fee Specific Scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burden of out-of-state tuition. These scholarships can only be applied directly to the Non-Resident fee. All scholarships specific to this fee can stack, but they cannot exceed the amount of the fee charged.

Freshman Merit and Achievement Scholarships

Ole Miss recognizes the accomplishments of incoming non-resident students and helps make attending Ole Miss more affordable. Non-Resident Freshman Merit and Achievement-Based Scholarships recognize the accomplishments of incoming non-resident students and help make attending Ole Miss more affordable. These awards are based on a student's high school GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and extracurricular activities. To be considered a “freshman” for these scholarships, you must not have earned more than 18 college credit hours after your high school graduation. This does not include dual enrollment courses taken while enrolled in high school.

Academic Merit Scholarships

Academic Merit Scholarships 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. It does not stack with Academic Success NR. To be considered a “freshman” for these awards, you must not have earned more than 18 college credit hours after your high school graduation.

Eligibility: Entering Freshman with minimum 3.0 high school GPA. 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.
How to Apply: Gain admission to the University of Mississippi. in PhysicsB.S. in PhysicsB.S. in GeologyB.S. in Forensic ChemistryB.A. in ChemistryB.S. in ChemistryB.A. in MathematicsB.S. in MathematicsB.A. in BiochemistryB.A. in BiologyB.S. in BiologyB.S. in Biological ScienceB.S.G.E. in Geological EngineeringB.S.M.E. in Mechanical EngineeringB.S.E.E. in Electrical EngineeringB.S.C.E. in Civil EngineeringB.S.Ch.E. in Chemical EngineeringB.E. in EngineeringB.S. in EngineeringB.S. in Computer EngineeringB.A. in Computer ScienceB.S.C.S. in Computer ScienceB.S. in Biomedical Engineering High School Valedictorian/Salutatorian Scholarship

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.

Transfer Merit and Achievement Scholarships

For students transferring to Ole Miss from other institutions outside Mississippi, Non-Resident Transfer Merit and Achievement-Based Scholarships recognize the accomplishments of students transferring to Ole Miss from other institutions outside Mississippi. These scholarships recognize the accomplishments of students transferring to Ole Miss from other institutions outside Mississippi. This page provides details on eligibility, award amounts, application instructions, and deadlines to help you plan your scholarship applications effectively.

Transfer Academic Merit Scholarship 1

Award Amount: $8,000 ($4,000 per year for two years)
Eligibility: These scholarships are awarded to transfer students with a 3.0 - 3.49 overall transfer GPA or higher and 30 transferable college credit hours. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive this award. This award can be stacked with Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships.
How to Apply: Students must complete the University of Mississippi admissions application. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive this award. Non-residents will receive an additional $3,000 per year for two years toward the non-resident fee. This award can be stacked with Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships.

Additional Non-Resident Transfer Scholarships

Non-Resident students will receive an additional scholarship to cover their full non-resident fee for two years.

How to Apply: No separate application required; Student must provide documentation of credential to the Office of Financial Aid. These scholarships are awarded to community college transfer students with a 3.0 overall transfer GPA or higher and 30 transferable college credit hours. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive this award.
How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid. These scholarships are awarded to community college transfer students with a 3.25 overall transfer GPA or higher and 30 transferable college credit hours. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive this award.
How to Apply: Provide documentation of status to the Office of Financial Aid.

Non-Resident Fee Specific Scholarships

Several scholarships are specifically designed to offset the non-resident fee for eligible students.

Read also: Campus Life at Ole Miss

Non-Resident Alumni Scholarship

Award Amount: $32,000 ($8,000 per year toward non-resident fee for students entering the University for the first time beginning in Fall 2026 with a HS GPA of 2.5 or higher)
Eligibility: Non-resident students whose parent(s) received a degree from the University. Can be used for up to two parents. Scholarships 1 & 2 cannot be stacked together.
How to Apply: For the 2025-26 aid year, download and complete the application (PDF format) and return to the Office of Financial Aid.

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 an 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.

Academic Common Market (ACM)

Program Description: The Academic Common Market (ACM) is a cooperative agreement allowing residents of a participating state to pursue academic degree programs not offered in their home states without having to pay out-of-state tuition charges. The 16 participating states include AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, OK, SC, TN, VA and WV.

Award Amount: Participation in ACM at Ole Miss allows qualified students to receive a scholarship that covers the non-resident fee in full. As a result, participants pay the in-state tuition only, similar to MS residents. (Please note that this award cannot be combined with any other award that specifically pays for the non-resident fee.)
Eligibility: Non-resident students from a state participating in ACM.

University Foundation Scholarships

The University of Mississippi Foundation offers a variety of scholarships based on academic merit, leadership, and sometimes financial need.

Stamps Scholarship

Award Amount: Up to Cost of Attendance after other awards.
Eligibility: Academic and leadership record is considered. Some scholarships may be need-based. Note: In some cases, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required. Academic and leadership record is considered. Some scholarships may be need-based. Note: In some cases, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required. FAFSA priority date March 1.

Patterson School of Accountancy Scholarships

Deadline to apply is January 10. For more information, contact the School of Accountancy, 662-915-7468

Roger and Susie Friou Scholarship:
- Award Amount: $12,000 ($3,000 per year)
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen and transfer students who are actively pursuing degrees in accountancy; strong academic and leadership record considered
McCarty Family Scholarship:
- Award Amount: $12,000 ($3,000 per year)
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen who are actively pursuing degrees in accountancy; strong academic and leadership record considered
James W. Davis Scholarship:
- Award Amount: $12,000 ($3,000 per year)
- Eligibility: : Entering freshmen who are actively pursuing degrees in accountancy; strong academic and leadership record considered
Gene Peery Scholarship:
- Award Amount: $12,000 ($3,000 per year)
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen and transfer students who are actively pursuing degrees in accountancy; strong academic and leadership record considered

Department of Modern Languages Scholarships

Deadline to apply is January 10. For more information, contact the departments listed.

Chinese Language Flagship Scholarships:
- Award Amount: $32,000 ($8,000 per year)
- Army & AFROTC Amount: full tuition or room & board for up to 4 years
- Study Abroad (regular): Up to $24,000
- Study Abroad (Army & AF ROTC): Up to $36,000
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen with strong academic records who demonstrate a commitment to achieve superior proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (unless they place into a higher level, students selected for the Flagship Program will begin with eight weeks of intensive Chinese study in June prior to freshman year, and spend 8 weeks of study in China in summer following their freshman year. They will return to China or Taiwan for the summer following their sophomore year. Unless they go earlier, students will spend a semester at Nanjing University or Beijing Union University in fall semester after senior year, and will complete a full-time internship in China the following spring). citizens and permanent residents only.
German, Japanese, and Russian Scholarships:
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen who intend to minor or major in German, Japanese, or Russian will be considered. Current UM students will also be considered. Most students will begin with summer intensive language study in German, Japanese, or Russian prior to freshman year and will study abroad. Prior language experience is not required, but those with up to two years of high school language background may also apply. Applications will be considered until April 21st. Corina L. PetrescuJapanese: Dr. Kaoru OchiaiRussian: Dr. Valentina Iepuri
Arabic Language Flagship Scholarships:
- Award Amount: $32,000 ($8,000 per year)
- Army & AF ROTC Amount: full tuition or room & board for up to 4 years
- Study Abroad (regular): Up to $30,000
- Study Abroad (Army & AF ROTC): Up to $36,000
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen with strong academic records who demonstrate a commitment to achieve superior proficiency in Arabic. (Unless they place into a higher level, students selected for the Arabic Flagship Program will begin with eight weeks of intensive Arabic study in June prior to freshman year, and spend 8 weeks of study in Jordan in the summer following their freshman year. They will study abroad in Morocco for the summer following their sophomore year. citizens and permanent residents only.

Engineering Scholarships

Brevard, Jr., Engineering Scholarship:
- Award Amount: $8,000-$24,000 ($2,000-$6,000 per year)
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen and transfer students who are actively pursuing degrees in engineering, including computer science
John G. Adler Engineering Scholarship:
- Award Amount: $8,000-$24,000 ($2,000-$6,000 per year)
- Eligibility: Entering freshmen and transfer students who are actively pursuing degrees in engineering, including computer science
Additional Engineering Scholarship Opportunities:Engineering Dean’s Award for Excellence, Elsie & Harper Johnson, Jeff Frederking, George C. Walker, R. Baxter Wilson, Clarence M. & Kathryne W. Conway, John & Lillie Mae Walker, Arnold W. Carothers, and many others. * Award Amount: $8,000-$24,000 ($2,000-$6,000 per year) * Eligibility: Entering freshmen and transfer students who are actively pursuing degrees in engineering, including computer science

Military Science Scholarship

Deadline to apply varies by scholarship. Student must have a strong academic background and demonstrate a commitment to leadership and achieving excellence.

Freedom Studies Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,500 per semester)
Details: The Declaration of Independence Center is building a community of students with the character, passion, and talent to make a difference in the name of American Freedom.
How to Apply: For additional information, please visit the Freedom Studies Scholars page.
Deadline: August 1

General Scholarship Information

The University of Mississippi offers both merit-based and need-based awards. All students must be admitted to the University of Mississippi to be considered. The Office of Financial Aid mainly awards non-degree specific scholarships to incoming undergraduate students. If you are a continuing student or interested in a degree-specific award please explore options with your chosen academic department. Scholarship eligibility, criteria, and amounts may change without prior notice. The current listing of scholarships is for the 2026-2027 aid year.

To be considered for scholarships, you must file a University of Mississippi Admission Application. Some scholarships are awarded automatically, while others have a competitive selection process. For full consideration of all possible scholarships, be sure to submit an online Special Programs & Scholarships Application. The deadline is January 10th, prior to your fall admission.

Scholarship awards based on merit only are generally renewable for subsequent undergraduate years, provided the recipient maintains the required grade point average. Please review the terms and conditions of your scholarship.

The 2026-2027 FAFSA is now open. You can submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) today, don’t delay. Our school FAFSA code is 002440.

External Scholarships

Private scholarships are awards provided by organizations outside of the University, such as Elks, Rotary, your local high school, national organizations, churches etc. You 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 your Bursar’s account. If you receive a private scholarship award, this may impact your financial aid award since the combination of all financial aid and scholarships cannot exceed your cost of attendance. If needed, the loans that are offered to you 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.

Navigating the Financial Aid Process

Making College Affordable: Financial Aid at Ole MissNavigating financial aid doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The Office of Financial Aid is here to help you understand your options and make informed decisions about funding your education. From scholarships and grants to loans and work-study opportunities, we provide resources for all types of students-freshmen, transfers, international students, and lifelong learners over 65.

The Office of Financial Aid is responsible for assisting students in navigating various financial aid options and providing guidance on scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs to make higher education accessible and affordable.

Whether you’re just starting your college journey or planning your next steps, we’re committed to helping you make your education at Ole Miss as affordable as possible.

tags: #ole #miss #out #of #state #merit