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Financial Aid

Financial Aid Help

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FAFSA

       FAFSA Help

We all know that the FAFSA can be confusing at times and make students (and parents) want to procrastinate or not complete it at all, however, there are a multitude of resources to help the process go smoothly. Below are multiple videos to help you through some steps that seem to trip students up. If you are having troubles with steps that are not listed below, there are other resources you can utilize. All students can contact the Federal Student Aid Help Center for assistance filling out the FAFSA form, both over the phone or through screen-sharing services online. Contact information can be found .  Additionally, if you are a Mississippi Resident, you can contact for more support both in person, over the phone, or by email.

There have been many changes to the FAFSA beginning with the 2024-2025 year. See some of the major changes explained in the following video.

Priority Date for the FAFSA each year is December 15th for new freshman and March 15th for continuing students.

Processing Deadline: The FAFSA Form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30.  Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on September 14.  Example: for aid year 2023-2024, the FAFSA must be submitted by June 30, 2024 and corrections must be submitted by September 14, 2024.

 

 

If your account has been locked, you must call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). 

SOAR

       SOAR Help

 

Click here for a guide on how to accept aid in SOAR

Options to sign the verification worksheet include printing the physical form from SOAR to physically sign and submit or signing electronically. Click here for instructions on how signatures can be provided.  

The Offer Notice that you receive has a multitude of helpful information to assist you and your family in planning for your educational journey at Southern Miss. We understand that it can be overwhelming at times to understand all of the verbiage and what everything means which is why we have put together a video that take you through the Offer Notice section by section to assist you with determining your funding needs.

The Estimation of Semester Direct Costs that new students receive has a multitude of helpful information to assist you and your family in planning for fee payment. You may receive this prior to attending new student orientation or if requested; however, we have put together a video that takes you through each section and explains in more detail what that means for you. 

Federal Student Aid

       Federal Student Aid Help

The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s). This is a requirement for all first time loan borrowers. Steps on how to complete a MPN can be found here.
If you have not previously received a Direct Loan or Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), the Federal Government requires you to complete entrance counseling to ensure that you understand the responsibilities and obligations you are assuming. Steps on how to complete entrance loan counseling can be found here.
 As a dependent student, your parent may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan for additional loan funding your to the student's Cost of Attendance. Steps on how to complete a Parent PLUS Loan Application can be found here.

Contact Us

Office of Financial Aid
Kennard-Washington Hall (KWH) 101
118 College Dr. #5101 Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Hattiesburg Campus

Fax 601.266.5769

Campus Map

Email
financial.aidFREEMississippi

Phone
601.266.4774

Contact Us

Student Services One Stop
Gulf Coast Library (GCL) 101
730 East Beach Blvd. 
Long Beach, MS 39560

Gulf Park Campus

Campus Map

Email
OneStop_GPFREEMississippi

Phone
228.214.3370