External Opportunities

• Research the organization: Search the Better Business Bureau for complaints and reviews, call and talk to a customer service representative (ask questions about the company history/results), ask them to mail you an information packet if possible.
• Verify the process: Reach out to the company or organization beforehand to obtain information on the application process, timelines, disbursement methods, how to file a complaint, customer service policies, and all other pertinent information for follow up and resolving issues to verify legitimacy.
• Do not give out sensitive information: This could be items such as social security numbers, bank information, or information otherwise not typically asked for a scholarship offer.
• Do not click on suspicious emails: Hackers can make their fraud sites look legitimate, even by using a real company’s name in the URL. Instead, go to the company's website by typing the URL directly into your browser. If you're still in doubt, phone the company.
• Do not fill out forms in email messages asking you for personal or financial information: Only communicate these pieces of information with a company you're working with over the phone or on a secure website.
• Make sure you are on a secure Web page when entering sensitive information: Secure Web pages will have https: (note the "s") at the beginning of their Web address instead of just http: If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may also see a security lock image in the bottom right of the browser window.

Fastweb is your connection to scholarships, colleges, financial aid and more https://www.fastweb.com/

• Once you complete your profile you'll have access to Fastweb's database of more than 1.5 million scholarships. That's $3.4 billion dollars in funding - all available to students like you!
• You can indicate which scholarships you'd like to apply for, which you're not interested in and those you've already completed.
• Start applying for scholarships you're already qualified for. It's up to you to apply but with Fastweb, you're never on your own.
• Resources to help you with tough financial aid decisions.
• Nearly 10,000 part-jobs available in top industries.

 

Need help finding college scholarships? No problem. Register to get free access to more than 5 million college scholarships.

• Find college scholarships that match your skills, activities, and interests based on the profile you create.
• Set up customized alerts to notify you when a new scholarship that matches your profile becomes available.
• Plus, be entered to win $1,000 in our monthly sweepstakes.1
• Register for free at https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/college-scholarships/ 

Search more than 8,000 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities by visiting https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx 

• Look through the whole list of scholarships below, arranged in order of closest deadline
• Narrow your list with "Search by keyword." Enter a keyword about the type of award you're looking for
• Use the filters to see only awards for certain award types, locations, level of study, and more

Below are a few checklists to help you feel confident that you have explored all of your financial options provided through the University and through credible external resources.

• Glossary of financial terms: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/glossary
• Information about Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html?src=rn
• More information on scholarships and grants https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships
• Federal Work-Study https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/work-study

Additional resources and links can be found in the GO System under the "External" tab. 

The Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for college students in 15 SREB states, who want to pursue degrees that are not offered by their in-state institutions. Students can enroll in out-of-state institutions that offer their degree program and pay the institution’s in-state tuition rates. More than 1,900 undergraduate and graduate programs are available.

• https://www.sreb.org/academic-common-market 
• The ACM program is not competitive or merit-based, but applicants must meet state residency and college program requirements.
• To qualify for the Academic Common Market, a student must be a resident of an SREB member state, select a participating program that is approved for the Academic Common Market for his or her state and be admitted unconditionally into that program.

Phi Theta Kappa Members are encouraged to apply for these additional scholarships available through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and utilize their additional resources: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/i-am-transferring/ptk-competitive-scholarships/ 

These scholarships can be stacked with Southern Miss' Phi Theta Kappa scholarship in accordance with IHL regulations.

All Office of Undergraduate Scholarships are equally open to international students that meet the requirements. International students are included in the application pool for automatic consideration, auto-match, and apply-to scholarship opportunities provided by the University. We also encourage you to apply for any "other recommended opportunities" suggested for you in the GO System, as well as any on our website. We have also included additional external scholarship resources designated for international students.

• Contact Undergraduate International Admissions https://www.usm.edu/undergraduate-admissions/international-admissions.php for admission requirements and programs offered
• Get connected on campus through International Student and Scholar Services and join an international student organization https://www.usm.edu/isss/international-student-organizations.php 
• Some links lead to national and international databases housed on other university sites. When reviewing opportunities, make sure that the opportunity is not limited to that specific institution. 

https://www.studyusa.com/en: Study in the USA has been sharing education opportunities with international students for over 40 years. We only work with high quality, accredited English language programs, universities and colleges and reputable partners. StudyUSA+ helps students take advantage of those opportunities from discovery through enrollment in one secure platform.

https://www.internationalscholarships.com/: The International Scholarship Search is the premier financial aid, college scholarship and international scholarship resource for students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad.

https://www.iefa.org/: IEFA is the premier resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings, plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad.

https://grantspace.org/resources/knowledge-base/funding-for-international-students/ 

https://www.swarthmore.edu/fellowships-and-prizes/opportunities-international-students 

https://www.onsf.uconn.edu/find-scholarships/opportunities-for-non-us-citizens/# 

https://www.loyola.edu/department/national-fellowships/resources/international-students 

Below are some external resources to help fund your semester abroad.

• https://www.aifsabroad.com/student-resources.asp 

• https://www.statravel.com/book-now-pay-later-special.htm

• https://www.studentuniverse.com/ 
• https://www.fundmytravel.com/