USM Implements Increases to Key Student Scholarships

Wed, 12/07/2022 - 08:44am | By: Van Arnold

Scholarship awards often play a pivotal role in the decision-making process for prospective college students. At The University of Southern Mississippi, funding for several significant scholarships has been increased to help ease the financial burden on students and their families.

Notable increases include:

• Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Transfer Scholarship increased from $4,500 to $6,000 annually
• Freshman-Designated Based Scholarships increased from $1,000 to $2,000 annually

Dr. Randall Langston, Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at USM, notes that the PTK Scholarship change will be especially impactful as the award covers more than 60 percent of tuition costs each year.

“This particular increase is being implemented to demonstrate additional institutional commitment and support to transfer student populations and to provide affordable tuition to students during these difficult economic times,” said Langston.

While many of USM’s scholarships are based on academic merit, the Freshman-Designated Based Scholarships are designated specifically to acknowledge student leadership. These include: Eagle Scouts, gold-award Girl Scouts, valedictorians, salutatorians, student body presidents and specific Mississippi-related organizations.

“At USM we want to augment our commitment to student leadership, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Langston.

USM awards approximately $6 million in scholarships to first-time students and approximately $9 million in institutional aid to continuing students each year. Langston points out that the PTK and freshmen-designated increases are being funded internally as part of the University’s overall scholarship budget.

“We feel that the financial support provided by USM is exceptionally worthwhile given our public mission and commitment to Mississippi and beyond,” he said. “These changes in our scholarship programs demonstrates the University’s commitment to students and their success. At a time in which many families are stretched financially, this is one way we are working to ease the burden on them.”

To learn more about the Phi Theta Kappa and Freshman-Designated Based scholarships, call 601.266. 4540 or visit: https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-scholarships/index.php