Mississippi National Merit scholarships: three college examples

Southern Miss: Finalist standing extends living support

For 2027 graduates entering full-time as freshmen, Southern Miss lists four years of tuition for Semifinalists. Its additional benefits are described as “Campus housing, meal plan, and one-time $500 educational allowance for freshman year only.” The Finalist package provides tuition, housing and meals across four years, lists a “$1,000 educational allowance for four years,” and adds a one-time $4,000 study-abroad award. Confirm the allowance payment schedule with USM when budgeting. Southern Miss: National Merit® awards for 2027 graduates.

The distinction matters: do not budget four years of housing from a Semifinalist offer. Semifinalists do not need a scholarship application, but must be admitted by March 1 for priority consideration and accept the award by May 1. Finalists must apply with documentation and name USM first choice by May 1; acceptance is due July 1. Southern Miss: National Merit awards for 2027 graduates.

Ole Miss: tuition and housing for Semifinalists too

The current nonresident freshman page lists full tuition, the applicable nonresident fee and standard double-occupancy campus housing for entering Semifinalists or Finalists with at least 3.0 GPA. The award can renew for up to four years under its terms and cannot combine with Academic Merit awards. Admission and recognition documentation are required. Ole Miss: nonresident freshman National Merit awards.

The surrounding page displays 2026–27 award tables. Confirm the National Merit package for your entering year instead of assuming every figure has already been updated for fall 2027. Its listed benefits do not promise all meals and personal expenses. Ole Miss: nonresident freshman National Merit awards.

Mississippi State: a different Finalist package

The current scholarship page lists $12,000 annually for four years, double-occupancy campus housing for eight semesters, and possible coverage of the nonresident tuition portion. Eligible first-time freshmen need Finalist status, MSU first choice and at least 3.0 high-school GPA. Renewal requires 3.0 college GPA and continuous full-time enrollment; other aid is coordinated against COA. Mississippi State: National Merit Finalist package.

The page displays 2027 Fall and 2028 Spring as filters; its award description does not explicitly assign these benefits to an entering year. Confirm the package for your entering year. Mississippi State: National Merit Finalist package.

A waiver of the nonresident portion is not the same as a payment of every tuition charge. Compare the written benefits with the actual bill and living budget.

Before choosing a college

Check admission, scholarship application, first-choice and acceptance deadlines separately. Ask for the precise room and meal allowance, renewal rules and treatment of outside aid. These examples were checked November 8, 2026; official pages and your dated offer determine the applicable terms.

For another comparison, read Florida's Benacquisto and Bright Futures guide.