National Merit Finalist Scholarship Package

This is a real program, but some details for the current cycle are not published or not yet confirmed. Check the official source before you plan around it.

Award

Fall 2026 package: National Merit Finalist Scholarship $48,000 over four years ($12,000 per year); Housing Award approximately $33,824 over four years ($8,456 per year); non-residents also receive a tuition scholarship covering 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition.

Deadline

Select MSU as first choice with NMSC (date not stated on the page).

How to apply

Be a National Merit Finalist, have a 9th to 11th grade GPA of 3.0+, and select MSU as first choice with NMSC.

What you'll need

• No separate application: you are considered when you apply for admission

Who can apply

Entering first-time freshmen (Starkville) who are National Merit Finalists with a 3.0+ high school GPA. NMSC requires entrants to be US citizens or US lawful permanent residents intending to become citizens.

Good to know

Page lists the fall 2026 entry term. Housing award requires continuous on-campus residency. Cannot be combined with MSU's automatic freshman academic scholarships. MSU also has a separate National Merit Semifinalist package.