National Merit Finalist Scholarship Package
Awarded to entering freshmen who have been named a National Merit Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Renewable annually up to 8 semesters at MSU based on overall college GPA.
The National Merit Finalist Scholarship Package is awarded in lieu of the Freshman Academic Scholarship Packages and the National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship Package.
Filters:
2026 Fall2027 Spring OnlineStarkvilleMeridianGulf Coast Freshman MS ResidentNon-ResidentGPA
3.00+
Award Information
This award package consists of the following:
- National Merit Finalist Scholarship - $48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year
- Housing Award for National Merit Finalists - Approximately $33,824 over four years, $8,456 per year**
- Non-resident students may also receive a Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship to cover 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition
Award Criteria
- Must be an entering first-time freshman
- Must have a minimum 9th-11th grade GPA of 3.0+
- Must be named as a finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
- Must select MSU as first choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation
Disclosures
- **Amount subject to change based on the double-occupancy rate of the student's on campus housing assignment. May be awarded for up to four years (eight semesters), as long as the student maintains continuous residency in on-campus housing.
- National Merit Finalists who are members of the Shackouls Honors College may be eligible for a $2,000 Stewart Bridgforth Honors Scholarship, which may be used for study abroad, internships, or faculty-sponsored undergraduate research support after successful completion of the student's first year at MSU. To be considered for this scholarship, students must be active participants in the Shackouls Honors College, maintain a minimum overall 3.4 GPA, and participate in the Stewart Bridgforth Honors Scholars Program.
- Finalists sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation may be selected for an annual stipend ranging from $500 to $3,000.