Southern Miss Office of Scholarships & Financial Wellness

Join us next week for our Financial Literacy Workshop: Smart Banking Habits!

Learn how to manage your accounts, avoid unnecessary fees and build better money routines with guidance from Cadence Bank.

🎁 Bonus: Attendees will be entered into a raffle to win Southern Miss merch featured in this post! (swipe to see)

🗓 Wednesday, April 1
⏰ 2–3 PM
📍 TCC 216

Spots are limited, so be sure to RSVP on Eagle Hub to secure your place!

✨ March is a busy time on campus. Between classes, midterms, activities, and planning for the future, it can feel like everything is happening at once. In the middle of that, we want to remind you of something important.

Your effort matters. Every application you complete, every step you take toward financial wellness, and every goal you set for yourself contributes to the future you are building.

Scholarships and financial education are tools that help support that journey.

Keep going. Your hard work is creating opportunities. 🦅

💰 Financial success is rarely the result of one big decision. It usually comes from small habits repeated over time.

Tracking spending, checking your account regularly, and understanding your financial aid can make a significant difference in how confident you feel about your finances.

These habits might seem small today, but they build the foundation for financial stability after graduation. 🎓

💰 Saving money during college can feel difficult, especially when expenses add up quickly. The good news is that saving does not have to start with large amounts.

Even small steps can make a meaningful difference. Preparing meals instead of eating out frequently, sharing resources with roommates, and tracking monthly spending can help create space for savings.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is awareness and intention.

Building these habits now can create financial confidence long after graduation. 📈

📊 Understanding your student account is one of the most important steps in managing your finances during college.

When financial aid or scholarships are applied, they are first used to cover charges such as tuition, housing, and fees. If the scholarship is designated for a specific charge and that charge does not appear on the account, the scholarship may be adjusted.

This is why reviewing your student account regularly is so important.

Taking a few minutes each month to check your account helps you understand:
✔️ What charges have been added
✔️ What financial aid has been applied
✔️ What balances remain

Financial wellness begins with awareness.

💡 If you ever have questions about how scholarships or financial aid appear on your account, our office is here to help you understand the process.

🎓 Scholarships are more than financial support. They represent the belief that someone has in your potential and your future.

Many scholarships available through Southern Miss exist because alumni and donors wanted to create opportunities for students who follow behind them. When you apply for scholarships, you are not just completing an application.

You are continuing a tradition of support and investment in the next generation of Golden Eagles. 🦅

If you have not explored the GO System recently, take a few minutes this week to see what opportunities are available. Visit usm.edu/scholarships today

💡 When we talk about financial wellness, we are not talking about having a perfect budget or never spending money.

Financial wellness is about awareness. It is understanding your financial aid package, knowing what charges appear on your student account, and developing habits that help you make informed decisions.

For many students, college is the first time they are managing money independently. That can feel overwhelming, but it also creates an opportunity to build habits that will follow you long after graduation.

🎓 Our office works to help students understand scholarships, financial aid, and the tools available to help them make confident financial decisions.

If you ever feel unsure about your financial situation, start by asking questions. The earlier you understand how things work, the easier it becomes to plan ahead.

Financial wellness is not about perfection. It is about progress. 📈

Today we celebrate the birthday of Oseola McCarty🎂🦅

Her generosity changed lives and continues to shape the future of Southern Miss students. 🦅

What started as a historic act of giving has grown into the Oseola McCarty Scholars Program, where scholars learn about her strong work ethic, commitment to community service, and passion for helping others succeed. 🤝📚

Her story reminds us that one act of generosity can create opportunities for generations. ✨

Today we celebrate her legacy and the scholars who continue to carry that spirit forward. 💛

Happy Birthday, Ms. McCarty💛🖤

✨ The GO System is still open, and this is one of the most important things you can do for your future this semester.

Every year, hundreds of scholarships are awarded to Southern Miss students through one application in the GO System. Many of these opportunities are funded by alumni, departments, and donors who believe in investing in the next generation of Golden Eagles. 🦅

Once you complete your General Application, the system can automatically match you with scholarships you may qualify for. Some opportunities may ask for additional questions or short essays, so giving yourself time to review everything can make a big difference.

⏳ Taking 30 minutes now could open the door to funding that supports your education for years to come.

💰 If you haven’t completed your application yet, consider this your reminder.

👉 Visit usm.edu/scholarships to log into the GO System and get started.

January really flew by 🏃‍♂️💨 but February said “I’m here and I brought options.”

Here’s what we’ve got lined up, in order, so you can plan accordingly 👇

🚨 Feb 4 | Fraud Alert: How to Spot Red Flags
Learn how to protect your personal and financial info, spot scams, and meet your USM F.L.I.G.H.T. Ambassadors. Protecting your money is part of the scholarship journey.

🏆 Feb 6 | Winning Strategies: How to Qualify for More Scholarships
Get a scholarship readiness check, hear from scholarship experts, play games, and walk away with a real action plan.

🥇 Feb 13 | Going for Gold: How to Use the GO System
We’re breaking down the GO System step by step and hosting an “Apply With Us” lab. Bring your laptop and let’s apply together.

🌍 Feb 20 | Beyond Campus: Exploring Third-Party Scholarships
Learn how to find scholarships outside of Southern Miss and join a live, interactive scholarship search lab.

📅 February is packed, but it’s packed with purpose. Sign up using for each event using the link in our bio and let’s get to it 💛🖤

Southern Miss is proud to announce the expansion of our employee education partnership with the City of Hattiesburg.

Originally launched in 2018 for eligible sworn personnel in the Hattiesburg Police and Fire Departments, the program now welcomes all full-time city employees. Participants can enroll in up to six undergraduate credit hours or up to three master’s-level credit hours per semester, with tuition fully covered through the support of the city and a University scholarship.

Committed to lifelong learning and workforce development, Southern Miss continues to invest in our community’s employees by providing opportunities for education, growth, and professional excellence.

Each year, our Oseola McCarty Scholars choose a community organization to support in honor of Miss Oseola’s lifelong commitment to service and generosity known as Mission McCarty.

This year, they’ve selected the Domestic Abuse Shelter of Mississippi to receive essential items that provide safety, comfort, and dignity to individuals and families in crisis.

Until December 4, we’re inviting the entire Southern Miss community to join us by donating supplies and helping us continue Miss Oseola’s mission. Departments, student organizations, and individuals can participate, and every item donated earns points in our campus-wide competition. The group with the highest total will be named Mission Leader 2025 at the McCarty Scholars’ end-of-semester banquet.

Donations can be dropped off at the Office of Scholarships and Financial Wellness in Kennard-Washington Hall, Room 200. If needed, our student staff can pick up items from your department, and we’ll track points weekly.

Your support year after year helps us honor Miss Oseola’s legacy in a meaningful way. We hope you’ll join us once again as we work together to make an impact across our community.

💛⚫️💛⚫️💛