Mar 19, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Federal TRiO Programs


 


Dr. Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program

McNair Scholars

118 College Dr., Box 5024
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.6544
Fax: 601.266.5138

Carolyn J. Cawthon, Director (Carolyn.Cawthon@usm.edu)
Kim Brown, Assistant Director (Kimbaya.Brown@usm.edu)


The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 151 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.

Eligibilty Requirements:

  1. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or meets the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance.
  2. Is currently enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi in a degree program and

    (a)           is classified as a low-income* individual who is a first generation college student (neither  parent(s)/guardian(s) have earned a four-year college degree), or

    (b)           is a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (African American, Hispanic, Native American or American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiians, Native American Pacific Islanders).

*(Note: You must be BOTH a first-generation college student and have an income that is under the family taxable income level to be considered eligible under the category “A” above. *The term “low-income individual” means an individual whose family taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150% of the poverty level amount. Poverty guidelines are published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the Federal Register.

Program Features:

  • Provides a $2,800 stipend
  • Provides a scholarship to pay for a portion of summer housing and tuition
  • Provides Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Prep Course
  • Provides assistance in preparing for application and entrance into a graduate program within the student’s selected field of study
  • Provides faculty mentor within the student’s field of study
  • Provides opportunities to network with graduate students
  • Provides opportunities for scholars to design and engage in research and attend professional meetings in their disciplines

Student Support Services Program

118 College Dr., Box 5202
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.6910
Fax: 601.266.6272
usm.edu/federal-trio-programs


The Student Support Services program is a five-year grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education TRIO Programs with the mission of providing academic assistance, personal and academic counseling and individual support to eligible undergraduate students. The primary objectives are to assist participants to maintain good academic standing, to persist in college, and to graduate from the university. SSS participants work with professional staff to identify long- and short-term academic and personal goals and the strategies needed to achieve them. SSS participants may use individual and/or group tutoring, educational and developmental workshops, and other activities that promote academic success. Student Support Services is dedicated to creating a supportive climate that will make the university experience a positive one. The program strives to offer its participants access to all the resources that promote academic success.

To be a participant in the Student Support Services program, a student must be a citizen of the U.S. and be enrolled in the university. The U.S. Department of Education stipulates that participants must be any of the following:

  • A first-generation college student (neither parent graduated from a four-year college or university)
  • A low-income student as defined by the U.S. Department of Education
  • A student with a documented disability (learning or physical)
  • Or any combination of the above

Additionally, students must demonstrate academic need with a GPA of 3.0 or less and an ACT score of 21 or less. The Southern Miss Student Support Services program is charged to serve 195 students.