Appealing a Scholarship Status
Appealing a Scholarship Status
| Appeal Window | Dates to submit application |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | May 28 - August 24 |
| Spring Semester | December 23 - January 22 |
The Office of Scholarships & Financial Wellness offers a formal scholarship appeals process for students who experience changes to their scholarship eligibility or are requesting reconsideration of a scholarship decision due to academic performance, enrollment changes, or other circumstances.
Submitting an appeal does not guarantee approval. All appeals are reviewed based on the information and documentation provided at the time of submission, and decisions are final.
The University Scholarship Appeals Committee reviews appeals from both incoming and current undergraduate students on a weekly basis during designated periods throughout the academic year. Most decisions are communicated within 14 business days, depending on the number of appeals under review.
Please note:
- Appeals are reviewed based solely on the information submitted at the time of application, no additional documentation will be considered after submission.
- Final decisions will be sent to your USM email account.
- All decisions are final and cannot be appealed again.
How to Submit a Scholarship Appeal
Beginning Spring 2026, scholarship appeals are submitted through SOAR.
Current Southern Miss students who are eligible to submit an appeal will automatically see the appropriate application appear in their To-Do List following the scholarship audit at the end of each semester.
If you do not see an appeal option in SOAR, it may mean:
- You do not have a current award eligible to appeal at this time, or
- Your situation requires review by the Office of Scholarships & Financial Wellness before an appeal can be initiated
Which Appeal Path Applies to You?
Following the scholarship audit at the end of each semester your appeal application will be visible in your SOAR To-do list. You can follow the link listed in the checklist to complete your appeal application
If you previously received a scholarship, but do not see an appeal option, use the appeals for new scholarships option below.
This option is for:
- Students requesting consideration for a scholarship they have never received
- Incoming freshmen or transfer students
- Students appealing eligibility or missed deadlines related to initial scholarship consideration
- Have received in the past and are requesting to be reinstated but do not see the appeal application in SOAR automatically
Students can only appeal for the following scholarships through this process:
| Freshman Scholarships | Transfer Scholarships |
|---|---|
| Academic Excellence (Including full tuition and freshman housing) | Community College Transfer Academic |
| Valedictorian/Salutatorian | University Transfer Academic |
| Student Body President | Phi Theta Kappa |
| Eagle Scout/Gold Award | Phi Theta Kappa Officer |
| STAR Student (MS Resident) | Phi Theta Kappa: All-Academic First State/National Team |
| Boys/Girls Nation and Boys/Girls State (MS Residents) | Transfer Eagle Scout/Gold Award |
| Distinguished Young Women: State and Distinguished Young Women: Local | Coastal Pathways Scholarship |
| Freshman Phi Theta Kappa | |
| Associate Achievement |
Things to know:
When reviewing your scholarship appeal, the committee will consider the following:
- Eligibility Requirements: You must meet the original criteria and renewal requirements for the scholarship you are appealing.
- Available Funding: Some scholarships have limited funds and may not be available at the time of your appeal.
- Academic Record: Your complete academic history鈥攊ncluding coursework at USM and any prior institutions鈥攚ill be reviewed.
- Financial Background: Information from your FAFSA, including your Student Aid Index (SAI), will be considered. Submitting a FAFSA is highly recommended before appealing.
- Documentation of Extenuating Circumstances: This may include:
- Medical issues or personal illness
- Death of an immediate family member
- Letters of support from a counselor or advisor
- Personal Statement: You must provide a written explanation detailing your situation and why you're requesting an exception.
Incomplete appeals will be denied. If you do not provide supporting documentation, your appeal will not be considered.
Incoming students must be fully admitted to 小狐狸直播 before their scholarship appeal will be reviewed.
Students must meet all initial GPA, test score, and credit hour requirements for the scholarship(s) they are appealing. Be sure all academic records are updated with the Office of Admissions before submitting an appeal.
Appeals must be submitted by the student鈥攏ot by a parent, guardian, or advisor.
All decisions are based solely on the documentation submitted at the time of the appeal. Additional materials will not be accepted after submission.
Missing a scholarship or appeal deadline is not considered an extenuating circumstance. If both deadlines are missed, the student will not be eligible for consideration.
Please note: Appeals are not accepted for the Luckyday Citizenship Foundation Scholarship or the Honors College Achievement Scholarships. Recipients for these programs are selected through competitive review by external departments, and those decisions are final.
Current students must be enrolled in the amount of hours outlined by their scholarship stipulation agreement before an appeal will be reviewed.
The student seeking the appeal must be the individual submitting the appeal. Parents and/or advisors should not complete the appeal form on behalf of their student.
Decisions will be made based on documentation submitted at the time of an appeal.
Academic performance of students receiving undergraduate scholarships is monitored each fall and spring semester. Recipients must comply with various stipulations in order to continue receiving these funds. Stipulations include, but are not limited to:
- Enrollment in required credit hours
- USM Grade Point Average
- Number of semesters enrolled at USM
- Other stipulations outlined during the initial awarding process
- This appeal process applies only to undergraduate, admission-based scholarships. Graduate students are not eligible.
- New awards or upgrades are not available for currently enrolled students. These scholarships are awarded at the time of admission only
- Students cannot appeal a probation status. They must submit a grade replace request.
- Scholarship funds are only available for fall and spring semesters. Appeals for summer funding will not be approved.
- Scholarships are financial awards subject to audit and reporting. If you鈥檝e already received your full funding, extensions will not be granted.