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Freshman Scholarships

Freshman Scholarships

The W cares about all of our students and their potential. That's why we've created financial awards that recognize all levels of academic achievement and provide support for your studies. We'll be happy to talk to you about what The W can do to encourage your success!

Award Grid: For help with freshman scholarships call toll free: 1-877-462-8439.

*SAT Scores listed here are concorded from the 2019 ACT/SAT concordance tables. The state of Mississippi requires all scores to be converted to pre-March 2016 score ranges.

To qualify for a scholarship award at The W, your ACT/SAT score and your college preparatory curriculum (CPC) grade point average from high school are weighed to determine your award range. Students must also be eligible to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All merit awards begin with at least an 18 ACT or 940 SAT and a 3.0 CPC GPA or a 20 ACT or 1030 SAT and a 2.75 CPC GPA. Priority deadlines for awards are May 1. Students admitted after May 1 will be considered for awards if funds are still available.

Our four levels of W Freshmen Awards are:

Students with 24 to 47 hours at point of admission have 6 semesters of award eligibility and students with 48 hours or more at point of admission have 4 semesters of award eligibility.

Presidential Award
$5,500 per year
Whitfield Award
$4,500 per year
Franklin Award
$3,000 per year
Kincannon Award
$2,000 per year

How much could The W award me?

Use our Freshman Cost Calculator to see how much you could receive in scholarships and grants based on your GPA and ACT score.

Freshman Cost Calculator

The W’s Premier Scholarship Programs

Priority Deadline: November 3, 2025
Standard Deadline: March 2, 2026

Students are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadlines to ensure full consideration for scholarships. Scholarship availability is not guaranteed after the first round of awards are distributed.

IMPORTANT: The application requires a letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor. If you plan to apply, now is a great time to get a head start by asking your teacher or counselor for a letter!

Step 1: Complete the Application
Submit the Premier Scholarship Application to be consider for one or more of the Premier Scholarship Programs. Answer all questions thoroughly and attach any required documents before submitting.
Step 2: Mark Your Calendar
The on-campus interview round is scheduled for November 14th at The W. Make preparations to be present for an interview that day, if selected.
Step 3: Watch for Interview Notifications
If selected to move forward to the on-campus interview round, applicants will be notified by November 7th.
Step 4: Attend Interview Day
Selected students are expected to participate in Interview Day on November 14th to be considered for scholarship. Be on time, dress appropriately, and come prepared to meet with a panel of university representatives from each scholarship area.

Students must be admitted to the university in order to complete the Premier Scholarships Application. If interested in being considered for one or more of The W’s Premier Scholarship Programs, please complete the Premier Scholarships Application by clicking the button below:

PREMIER SCHOLARSHIPS APPLICATION

Premier Scholarship Opportunities

Centennial Scholarship

The Centennial Scholarship is The W’s most prestigious scholarship. It covers the full cost of tuition, room and board, and includes a small book stipend. Recipients are required to:

  • Participate in the Ina E. Gordy Honors College
  • Live in the Honors Residence Hall
  • Participate in the Honors Summer Study Abroad Program after their sophomore year

This scholarship includes a one-time $5,000 award toward the Study Abroad program. Ten Centennial Scholarships are awarded each year. Receiving this award replaces any prior award offers.

Eligibility Requirements:
Minimum ACT Score of 24
Minimum GPA of 3.4


Honors Award Scholarship

The Honors Award is The W’s second most prestigious scholarship. The average award is $33,000 over four years. Recipients are required to:

  • Participate in the Ina E. Gordy Honors College
  • Live in the Honors Residence Hall
  • Participate in the Honors Summer Study Abroad Program after their sophomore year

This scholarship includes a one-time $2,500 award toward the Study Abroad program. Ten Honors Awards are given each year. Receiving this award replaces any prior award offers.

Students receiving The W’s two highest levels of scholarship—the Centennial and the Honors Awards—participate in the Gordy Honors Residential Program, including Study Abroad after the sophomore year, and complete the four-year honors curriculum.

Eligibility Requirements:
Minimum ACT Score of 24
Minimum GPA of 3.4


First Generation College Student Ambassador Scholarship

A first-generation student is one whose mother or father did not complete a bachelor’s degree. This scholarship is open to first-time, first-year students who qualify for the Presidential, Whitfield, or Franklin Scholarships and would like to serve as ambassadors for their first-generation peers.

  • Participate in special programming
  • Assist in planning and facilitating first-generation student events such as workshops and the First-Gen Celebration
  • Represent and support their cohort throughout the academic year

The award is $8,000 over four years. Five awards are given each year.

This is a stackable award.


W Leadership Scholarship

The W Leadership Program is a leadership development initiative designed to empower students while addressing barriers to their success. The program structure includes:

  1. Four Leadership Development Courses (One-Credit Hour Each):
    • Year 1: Self-discovery and personal leadership style.
    • Year 2: Collaboration and teamwork.
    • Year 3: Service-learning, with students completing impactful projects in the campus or local community.
    • Year 4: Capstone project integrating all learned skills and culminating in a leadership portfolio.
  2. Additional Program Requirements:
    • 20 hours of community service annually.
    • Attendance at two educational events per semester.
    • Maintenance of at least a 2.0 GPA.

The award is $10,000 over four years. Ten awards are given each year.

This is a stackable award.

Additional Scholarships

Any prospective international freshman (first-year) student who is interested in entering The W in the Fall semester and is not eligible to submit the FAFSA may apply for this one-time merit scholarship. The award is based on the student's ACT/SAT score and grade point average (GPA). Ten incoming international freshmen will be selected, and the amount of each scholarship will be determined by the individual student’s ACT/SAT score and GPA.

Application Deadline for Fall 2025: May 1, 2025.

International Freshman Merit Scholarship

The W awards these one year scholarships to first-time college students who were valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school class. The award for salutatorian is $400 and the award for valedictorian is $500. These awards are one time awards over a one year period.

All students who attend an Early College High School will be admitted and awarded under The W’s freshman award structure (see above grid).

If students are members of Phi Theta Kappa, Early College High School graduates may be awarded the Phi Theta Kappa award. This award in the amount of $2,000 per year, is reserved for Phi Theta Kappa members with at least a 3.0 overall transferable GPA and 24 transferable hours. Proof of Phi Theta Kappa membership is required. Students with 24 to 47 hours at point of admission have 6 semesters of award eligibility and students with 48 hours or more at point of admission have 4 semesters of award eligibility.

Students who earn an Associate of Arts Degree from EMCC, are a Lowndes County resident, and have a 2.5 overall transferable GPA are eligible to apply for the EMCC Tuition Guarantee award that will cover the remaining cost of tuition for four semesters at The W after any university awards and grants are applied. Students must meet all requirements as listed on the EMCC Tuition Guarantee link below and submit the form to the Office of Admissions to be considered.

EMCC Tuition Guarantee

The W awards a scholarship to incoming freshmen beginning in Fall 2023 who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America) or the Gold Award (Girl Scouts of America). The award is $1,000 per year and may be renewed for up to 4 years if the student maintains a GPA of 2.5 or higher. This scholarship may be stacked with other awards.

The Rebecca Smith Scholarship will cover equal tuition, fees, books, room and broad and renewed annually but not to exceed eight semesters for a freshman student provided they maintain the criteria specified below

The Rebecca Smith Scholarship is awarded to one entering full-time freshman student who meets the following criteria:

  • Resident of the state of Mississippi
  • Demonstrates financial need
  • Enrolls in a minimum of 15 hours each of the 8 semesters
  • Has a 3.0 GPA on a 4.00 GPA scale in high school and maintains a 3.0 GPA

The recipient is required to be a member of the Student Alumni Association (SAA) where they will work closely with Alumni and the Office of Development and Alumni gaining a unique understanding of how investing in higher education makes a difference.

Thank you for your interest, but we are not accepting applications at this time.

The Jana Brown Tyler Scholarship is equal to full tuition and is renewable but not to exceed eight semesters for a freshman and four semesters for a transfer student, based on the 124 hours required to graduate with an undergraduate degree. The student’s financial need will be considered.

The Jana Brown Tyler Scholarship is awarded to one admitted student each year who meets the following criteria:

  • Resident of the state of Mississippi
  • Must be from Pontotoc County, with first priority given to an incoming freshman from North Pontotoc High School, second priority to a student from any high school in Pontotoc County, and third priority to a transfer student who graduated from a high school in Pontotoc County.
  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 semester hours each semester.

The priority deadline to submit applications is March 15 for students from North Pontotoc High School and April 1 for students from all other Pontotoc County high schools for the following academic fall semester.

Thank you for your interest — applications for the academic year 2026–2027 will open August 15. Jana Brown Tyler Scholarship Application

The G. Halbert Uplift Scholarship is awarded to one student who has been admitted to The W as a full-time freshman or first-year transfer student. Preference is given to African-American students from Lowndes County (first preference) or Oktibbeha County (second preference) in Mississippi. The scholarship selection is based on the student's GPA and essay. The award provides $250 per semester to help support the recipient's education at The W.

The priority deadline to submit applications is August 1st for the following fall semester. G. Halbert Uplift Scholarship Application

The Jeraldine Pruden Scholarship supports undergraduate students who demonstrate strong academic achievement and a commitment to pursuing a career in law. Preference is given to in-state students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who plan to attend law school. If no eligible in-state student is available, the scholarship may be awarded to an out-of-state student who meets the same academic and career goals. Recipients are selected by the University based on these criteria.

Jeraldine Pruden Scholarship Application

Mississippi students whose parent(s) or grandparent(s) graduated from The W and are an active member of the MUW Alumni Association are eligible to receive this renewable scholarship in the amount of $400.00 per year. Students must indicate on their admission application their parent(s) or grandparent(s) name and year of graduation to determine eligibility.

Is your parent/grandparent an ACTIVE member of the Alumni Association?

Alumni Scholarship are available to children and grandchildren of active members of the MUW Alumni Association. To be considered an active member, alumni must make a donation to the MUW Alumni Association.

Pay Dues Now

MUWAA Legacy Scholarship

The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association's Legacy Scholarship is awarded to one family member of an alum who has been admitted to MUW as a new, full-time student. The MUWAA Legacy Scholarship selection is based on the student’s potential for academic and leadership success at MUW. Criteria should not include the student’s financial need.

Amount: $2,500 (divided equally between fall and spring semesters)

MUWAA Legacy Scholarship Application

Culinary Arts Advisory Board Scholarship

The Culinary Arts Institute has the Culinary Arts Advisory Board Scholarship which can be awarded each fall semester. The annual award is supported by funds from an endowed scholarship funded by the MUW Alumni Association from the proceeds of the Southern Grace cookbook and through contributions to the scholarship.

Applications should include:

  • Student’s complete résumé, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and work and volunteer activities
  • Statement describing why she or he has decided to attend The W; and
  • Letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor.

Culinary Arts Advisory Board Scholarship Application

MUWAA First Generation Scholarship

The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association’s First Generation College Student Scholarship is established to support a First Generation College Student and to help alleviate some of the financial concerns associated with furthering their education at MUW. The University recognizes a First Generation (First Gen) student by using a student’s eligibility for the federal Pell Grant (meaning that if a student qualifies for Pell that will equate to first-generation status) and/or having the student attest that neither of their parents has completed a 4-year degree.

Amount: $1,000/Year

MUWAA First Generation Scholarship Application

The priority deadline to submit applications to the MUWAA is June 1st for the following fall semester.

The Women’s College curriculum is built on The W’s strong foundation of courses across majors that focus on women’s and gender issues. The W’s expert faculty help you increase your gender awareness while you develop community with other Women’s College students and gain support for developing as a leader and pursuing your own goals. Students complete one of two pathways, 1884 Scholar or 1884 Fellow. The name of each path honors The W’s creation in 1884 as the first public college for women in the United States.

All MUW students regardless of gender are eligible to enroll in the Women’s College. Students receiving Women’s College scholarships must complete all the requirements as either an 1884 Scholar or an 1884 Fellow, including one or more hours of course credit per semester until all course requirements are met, after which they must complete two activity points per semester awarded for program attendance, volunteer opportunity participation, etc. Both 1884 Scholars and 1884 Fellows receive special recognition at graduation.

Women’s College Curriculum and Scholarship Application

The 1884 Scholar Scholarships and 1884 Fellow Scholarships are awarded in two rounds for incoming students. The deadline for the first round is March 1 and the deadline for the second is April 15.

This scholarship is exclusively available to graduates of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS). This freshmen scholarship provides full tuition coverage and aims to support and reward outstanding students as they continue their academic journey at The W.

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Graduation from MSMS: To be eligible, students must have graduated from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
  2. Last Institution Attended: MSMS must be the last institution attended before enrolling at The W.
  3. Residency Requirement: Recipients are required to live on campus for their first two academic years at The W.
  4. Full-Time Enrollment and Academic Performance: Students must enroll in and complete at least 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher each academic year at The W.
  5. Award Duration: The scholarship provides up to eight semesters of award eligibility from the point of admission.

Important Note:
This scholarship is non-stackable and cannot be combined with any other Mississippi University for Women Academic Scholarships. This means that if you are awarded the Power of Six Scholarship, you will not be eligible to receive additional academic scholarships from the University.

In addition to the academic and need-based scholarships that are awarded to you during the admissions process, many of the academic programs and departments at The W have separate scholarships that are exclusively for their majors. These scholarships have their own application, deadline, and selection process.

Departmental Scholarships

All scholarships listed are for undergraduate students only.

Most MUW scholarships and awards are for a period of one academic year (fall and spring only). In order to receive and renew scholarships, all scholarship recipients must earn at least 12 hours per semester at The W and maintain a 2.5 or higher MUW cumulative grade point average per academic year. Students at the point of admission will have 8 semesters of award eligibility. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order to have their award renewed. Students may receive more than one type of scholarship to attend The W. However, the total W award package, including state, federal, institutional, and private funds, may not exceed total cost of attendance. Awards will be adjusted should the total amount exceed this cost.

The total amount of institutional scholarships awarded by the university may not exceed the total cost of tuition, room, board and a book stipend.