MeritPlaybook / Take-home research
Mississippi · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer
Southern Miss centers merit on an automatic Academic Excellence grid (GPA plus ACT), topped by Honors College awards (Presidential, Keystone, Discovery) and National Merit recognition.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
First 3 of 22 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
$10,000 · Published amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.25 · SAT: 1390 · ACT: 31
Renewal: Maintain 2.5 GPA; 15 credits/year
Other terms: Official USM Academic Excellence snapshot lists 3.25-4.0+ GPA, ACT 31/SAT 1390-1410, annual scholarship amount $10,000.
https://www.usm.edu/scholarships-financial-wellness/freshman_scholarships/academicexcellence.php
Full tuition · Published coverage or package
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.25 · SAT: 1420 · ACT: 32
Renewal: Maintain 2.5 GPA; 15 credits/year
Other terms: Official USM Academic Excellence snapshot lists 3.25-4.0+ GPA, ACT 32-36/SAT 1420-1600, annual scholarship amount Full Tuition.
https://www.usm.edu/scholarships-financial-wellness/freshman_scholarships/academicexcellence.php
$1,500 · Published amount
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 3.25 · SAT: 1030 · ACT: 20
Renewal: Maintain 2.5 GPA; 15 credits/year
Other terms: Official USM Academic Excellence snapshot lists 3.25-4.0+ GPA, ACT 20/SAT 1030-1050, annual scholarship amount $1,500.
https://www.usm.edu/scholarships-financial-wellness/freshman_scholarships/academicexcellence.php
Recorded stacking policy: Outside scholarships only trigger an aid adjustment if total aid would exceed the cost of attendance (or the student's aid eligibility cap); below that ceiling, awards are not displaced.
Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/university-of-southern-mississippi/merit-aid
The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.
