At the University of Mississippi, 79 percent of incoming full-time freshmen receive scholarships, grants or both.
‘Tis the season of giving, and the university is doing its part by offering an abundance of aid. To make attending college easier, prospective freshmen can apply for nearly every institutional scholarship with just one application.
The priority deadline for scholarships is Jan. 5 and the final deadline is Feb. 15. Scholarships and grants are generally awarded between March and April. While the University of Mississippi awarded more than $60 million in institutional undergraduate scholarships, students should check other forms of aid, such as the Pell Grant, MTAG and MESG to see if they are eligible.
“I do recommend that students pursue ‘free money’ first – scholarships and grants,” said Laura Diven-Brown, director of financial aid. “Scholarships are typically awarded on the basis of merit and grants are normally based on financial need. To be competitive for scholarships, high school students should strive for great grades, participate in extracurricular activities and step up to leadership roles in student organizations. “
A common misconception is that because Ole Miss is the flagship and is known for academic excellence, it is more expensive than other universities in Mississippi. That’s untrue. Cost of attendance at Ole Miss is very much the same as the other major universities, and that information is readily available on UM’s website.
Universities are also required to provide a Net Price Calculator, which allows prospective students to insert their personal data to find out the types and amount of financial aid they may receive, Diven-Brown said.
“Students can then subtract this aid from the cost of attendance to see the ‘net price,’ how much you still need to cover and might need to finance through loans, employment or family resources,” she said.
“We try to make this as affordable as we can. We really want to do everything we can to make it possible for families and that student to reach their goal and attend Ole Miss.”
For those interested in more information about financial aid, advisers are available by phone or by appointment at 1-800-891-4596.