FAQs and University Resources

 Frequently Asked Questions - General

• Do scholarships stack?
  • Most scholarships will stack with all other aid, up to cost of attendance. However, the State of Mississippi governing board, IHL, does not allow students to receive two scholarships for the same designation (ex: two tuition or housing scholarships). 
• Why was my scholarship reduced?
  • A student's total aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance (COA) assigned by the Office of Financial Aid. All scholarship adjustments are made by the Office of Financial Aid based on your total award package. Please contact their office for more information. 
• If I miss the deadline for an admission-based award, am I still eligible?
  • No. Students who miss the deadline are not eligible for immediate consideration. Students can complete a scholarship appeal to state their case, but scholarships are competitive and on a first come basis. Appeals are not guaranteed, as meeting the deadline is part of the initial eligibility criteria. 
• Am I eligible for admission-based merit awards if I am a readmitted student?
  • No. Students who withdrew from the university forfeit their existing scholarships and are not eligible for new admission-based awards. However, students can file a scholarship appeal for the semester they are returning to have any prior admission-based merit awards reinstated if they left in good academic standing based on their scholarship stipulation requirements and have remaining semesters of funding left.
  • Admission status is determined by the Office of Admissions. 
• Do I have to accept my institutional scholarships?
  • Yes, all students must follow the instructions located in the USM email address offer notification to properly accept their USM scholarship in the GO System and complete any necessary verification steps, such as the post acceptance questionnaire. 
  • The only scholarships accepted in SOAR are Community College Transfer Academic, University College Transfer Academic, and Academic Excellence which are offered at the time of admission to the university and require not additional application steps. Instructions on how to accept these three awards can be found here. 
• How do I know my scholarship stipulations?
  • Your scholarship tile located in the GO System will include a stipulation agreement outlining how you will maintain your scholarship(s). If no information is located on the tile, please refer to your original offer email for more information. 
  • Certain admission-based, merit award stipulations can also be found in your Communication Center in SOAR attached to your original scholarship offer letter. 
  • All scholarships administered by the Office of Undergraduate Scholarships require students to enroll in 15 credit hours each fall and spring semester and to maintain a minimum a 2.5 USM cumulative GPA, which can also be found under your To Do list in SOAR as a constant reminder for you and your advisor during the duration of your scholarship. 
• What is the difference between auto-match (automatic consideration awards) and apply-to awards (awards with applications).
  • Auto-match awards do not require an additional application outside of the General Application. Offers are sent based on imported data collected through the GO System. Most scholarships will auto match with qualifying students based on the information
    from the General Application and Applicant Record.
  • Apply-to awards require a General Application and additional application questionnaire to allow for document submission or proof of membership, participation, or some other verifiable component. 
  • Recommended Scholarships are a list of apply-to scholarships recommended for you based on your answers to the General Application. Those scholarship opportunities require additional information to determine final eligibility. You will only be considered for these “Recommended Opportunities” if you complete the additional questions.
• What are designation-based awards? 
  • Designation-based awards are "designated" only for students who have earned that specific distinction or membership status. Proof of status must be uploaded that clearly states the student's name and status identified in the award description in the GO System. 

Frequently Asked Questions - Navigating the GO System

University Calendars

• USM Financial Calendar
• USM Academic Calendar
• USM Events Calendar

Key University Financial Support Offices

• Business Services
• Office of Financial Aid
• Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families
• Center for Student Success (CSS)