Vice-President of Academic Affairs, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Secretary to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Office Number: (601) 276-3705

Fax Number: (601) 276-3888

Academic Scholarship Policy

Academic scholarships available at Southwest Mississippi Community College include honor student, presidential, and valedictorian scholarships. Only one academic scholarship will be awarded to a student. Scholarships of this type cannot be awarded so that the total financial aid exceeds $700.00 over the cost of attendance.

All academic scholarships are subject to the following qualifications:

1. Must be a legal resident of Mississippi
2. Must be a full-time student and complete a total of 30 semester hours before the beginning of the sophomore year.
3. Must not have a degree
4. Must have an overall 2.5 or higher G.P.A. on all college work
5. Must not have attended more than three full-time semesters

Scholarships may be renewed for three subsequent semesters based on maintenance of an overall 2.5 GPA. However, withdrawal from school or failure to maintain full-time status automatically cancels any scholarship. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Office of Academic Affairs when eligibility is regained.

• Application for Academic Scholarships
• John Irving Hurst Memorial Scholarship

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ACT Scholarships

Honor Students Scholarships are available for Mississippi residents that score at least a 21 composite on the American College Test. Scores of 21-24 are eligible for a one-half (1/2) academic tuition scholarship; scores from 25-27 are eligible for a full academic tuition scholarship. Honor student scholarship recipients must maintain at least a 2.5 overall G.P.A.

Presidential Scholarships are available for Mississippi residents with an ACT Score of 28 or higher. Recipients are eligible for full tuition plus some. Presidential Scholarship recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 overall G.P.A. or the award will be reduced to a full scholarship which covers tuition only.

ACT Scores must be on file in the Registrar's Office to be considered for the scholarships mentioned above.

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Valedictorian Scholarship

The valedictorian of each graduating class from each high school in Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson counties is eligible for an academic tuition scholarship. This scholarship is subject to the Academic Scholarship Policy. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, a letter from the principal must be presented to the Office of Academic Affairs.

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Academic Excellence Scholarships

Full-tuition scholarships are awarded to those Mississippi students who are among the top achievers in their high school graduating classes.  The number of scholarships available per high school is based on the school’s Mississippi High School Activities Association classification as follows:

1. Class AAAAA (5-A) – 5 scholarships among the top 10 students.
2. Class AAAA (4-A) – 4 scholarships among the top 8 students.
3. Class AAA (3-A) – 3 scholarships among the top 6 students.
4. Class AA (2-A) and A (1-A) – 2 scholarships among the top 4 students.
5. Academic Excellence scholarships awarded to students who attend private schools will be based on the classification the school would be in if it were a member of the MHSAA.  Academies must be accredited by the Mississippi Private School Association in order to be eligible to present this scholarship.

Other Scholarships

Unless otherwise specified, applications for other academic scholarships (see page 27 of the SMCC catalog) should be submitted to the Chairman of the Scholarship Committee by May 1 prior to fall enrollment.  Applicants must also submit the full Financial Aid Report from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  Forms may be obtained from Student Services.  Recipients of scholarships will be notified by the committee.  Scholarships of this type cannot be awarded so that the total financial aid exceeds $700.00 above the cost of attendance and are subject to the same qualifications as ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP.

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Phi Theta Kappa

This scholarly organization is for academic honor students with at least a 3.5 overall GPA on at least 15 semester hours. Interested individuals who want to join can contact Ms. Belinda Jones at 601.276.3842 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. The official website for Phi Theta Kappa is http://www.ptk.org/. Letters will be mailed to all eligible students. Check the newsletter to see when letters have been mailed. If you think you are eligible but have not received a letter, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs.

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Rural Health

Rural Health is an opportunity to serve the community while receiving funds to assist in financial barriers that health related professions may occur while receiving a degree. An application as well as a contract must be turned in to the Office of Academic Affairs for determination of qualification. The two health-related fields rural health can be used for are Licensed Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing. The contract should be read completely, signed, and notarized by an off-campus notary. It is important that you understand you will not be allowed to work in large cities such as Jackson. Please print the application and the contract for your specific major, read it and sign it, return the form to the Office of Academic Affairs in the Administration Building. Priority deadlines are July 1, for the Fall semester, December 1, for the Spring semester and May 1, for the summer semester. Monies will only be awarded once you have been accepted into your program of choice and have submitted the full Financial Aid Report from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Scholarships of this type cannot be awarded so that the total financial aid exceeds $700.00 over the cost of attendance.For more information, contact Leigh Anne Anderson at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 601.276.3705. 

• Rural Health Contract and Application 

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