Academic Excellence National Merit and National Merit Finalist scholarships

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

2026-2027 non-resident table: Academic Excellence National Merit Finalist/Semifinalist Scholarship covers full tuition, the standard cost of a double occupancy room and the full non-resident fee; plus National Merit Finalist Scholarship $4,000 ($1,000 per year) for Finalists who choose Ole Miss first. Mississippi residents (2025-2026 page): Academic Excellence award (full tuition and standard double room), $4,000 National Merit Finalist Award, and Barnard Scholarship $20,000 ($5,000 per year) for Finalists with a 3.0+ GPA.

Deadline

Follows the National Merit announcement timeline.

How to apply

Be a National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist with a 3.0+ GPA; Finalists select Ole Miss as first choice with NMSC for the Finalist award.

What you'll need

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

Who can apply

Entering freshmen with National Merit Semifinalist or Finalist status and a 3.0 or higher GPA. The $4,000 Finalist award excludes students receiving a National Merit corporate award. NMSC requires entrants to be US citizens or US lawful permanent residents intending to become citizens.

Good to know

Pages show 2026-2027 (non-resident) and 2025-2026 (resident) tables; fall 2027 terms not yet posted. Does not stack with Ole Miss's non-resident Academic Merit awards.