💰 Mississippi State University Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships

27

Automatic

19

Multi-Year Awards

$4,000-$96,000 total

Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit

3.0 GPA / 21 ACT

Official Scholarship Information

View complete details on Mississippi State University's website

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Automatic merit scholarships at Mississippi State University — no separate application

19 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

$10,000 over four years

Award

$10,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.3+ • ACT 25+ • SAT 1200+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$12,000 over four years

Award

$12,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.0+ • ACT 30+ • SAT 1360+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$14,000 over four years

Award

$14,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.6+ • ACT 21+ • SAT 1060+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$16,000 over four years (ACT 33-36)

Award

$16,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.0+ • ACT 33+ • SAT 1450+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$20,000 over four years (ACT 25-29, GPA 3.60+)

Award

$20,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.6+ • ACT 25+ • SAT 1200+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$20,000 over four years (ACT 30-32, GPA 3.30-3.59)

Award

$20,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.3+ • ACT 30+ • SAT 1360+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$24,000 over four years (ACT 33-36)

Award

$24,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.3+ • ACT 33+ • SAT 1450+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$32,000 over four years

Award

$32,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.6+ • ACT 30+ • SAT 1360+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$4,000 over four years

Award

$4,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.0+ • ACT 21+ • SAT 1060+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$42,000 over four years (ACT 33-36, GPA 3.60+)

Award

$42,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.6+ • ACT 33+ • SAT 1450+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$48,000 over four years

Award

$48,000 total out-of-state

Out-of-State Requirements

GPA 3.3+

$48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year $64,000 over four years, $16,000 per year $76,000 over four years, $19,000 per year $68,000 over four years, $17,000 per year $84,000 over four years, $21,000 per year $96,000 over four years, $24,000 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a 🔗 The Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with programs that waive non-resident charges. Source ↗

$6,000 over four years

Award

$6,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.3+ • ACT 21+ • SAT 1060+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$64,000 over four years

Award

$64,000 total out-of-state

Out-of-State Requirements

GPA 3.6+

$48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year $64,000 over four years, $16,000 per year $76,000 over four years, $19,000 per year $68,000 over four years, $17,000 per year $84,000 over four years, $21,000 per year $96,000 over four years, $24,000 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a 🔗 The Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with programs that waive non-resident charges. Source ↗

$68,000 over four years (ACT/SAT/GPA package)

Award

$68,000 total out-of-state

Out-of-State Requirements

GPA 3.3+ • ACT 31+ • SAT 1390+

$48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year $64,000 over four years, $16,000 per year $76,000 over four years, $19,000 per year $68,000 over four years, $17,000 per year $84,000 over four years, $21,000 per year $96,000 over four years, $24,000 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a 🔗 The Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with programs that waive non-resident charges. Source ↗

$76,000 over four years (4.10+ GPA)

Award

$76,000 total out-of-state

Out-of-State Requirements

GPA 4.1+

$48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year $64,000 over four years, $16,000 per year $76,000 over four years, $19,000 per year $68,000 over four years, $17,000 per year $84,000 over four years, $21,000 per year $96,000 over four years, $24,000 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a 🔗 The Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with programs that waive non-resident charges. Source ↗

$8,000 over four years

Award

$8,000 total in-state

Requirements

GPA 3.0+ • ACT 25+ • SAT 1200+

$4,000 over four years, $1,000 per year $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year $14,000 over four years, $3,500 per year $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $12,000 over four years, $3,000 per year $20,000 over four years, $5,000 per year $32,000 over four years, $8,000 per year $16,000 over four years, $4,000 per year $24,000 over four years, $6,000 per year $42,000 over four years, $10,500 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a Source ↗

$84,000 over four years (ACT/SAT/GPA package)

Award

$84,000 total out-of-state

Out-of-State Requirements

GPA 3.6+ • ACT 31+ • SAT 1390+

$48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year $64,000 over four years, $16,000 per year $76,000 over four years, $19,000 per year $68,000 over four years, $17,000 per year $84,000 over four years, $21,000 per year $96,000 over four years, $24,000 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a 🔗 The Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with programs that waive non-resident charges. Source ↗

$96,000 over four years (4.10+ GPA with ACT/SAT)

Award

$96,000 total out-of-state

Out-of-State Requirements

GPA 4.1+ • ACT 31+ • SAT 1390+

$48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year $64,000 over four years, $16,000 per year $76,000 over four years, $19,000 per year $68,000 over four years, $17,000 per year $84,000 over four years, $21,000 per year $96,000 over four years, $24,000 per year

Eligibility: Automatically awarded upon admission to MSU. Award amount is based on 9th -11th grade high school GPA and test scores. MSU accepts SAT/ACT scores through the February test date of a student's senior year of high school. Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 and continuous full-time enrollment (12 credit hours per semester at MSU).

📋 Renewable for up to four years (8 semesters) provided student maintains a minimum overall college GPA of 3.0 a 🔗 The Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship may not be combined with programs that waive non-resident charges. Source ↗

Housing award (one year)

In-State Requirements

GPA 3.0+ • ACT 34+ • SAT 1490+

The award amount of this scholarship varies as it covers the cost of an on-campus, double-occupancy residence hall space.

Eligibility: Awarded to entering freshmen as part of their automatic scholarship award package should they meet the requirements below. ACT 34+ SAT 1490+ GPA 3.00+

📋 Not renewable; awarded only for a student's freshman year. Source ↗

Other scholarships at Mississippi State University (8)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Housing Award for National Merit Finalists

$33,824 total

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

Eligibility: 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.

How to apply: ["Must select MSU as first choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation"]

Source ↗

National Merit Finalist Scholarship

$48,000 total

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

Eligibility: 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.

How to apply: ["Must select MSU as first choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation"]

Source ↗

National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship

$48,000 total

This award package consists of the following: * National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship - $48,000 over four years, $12,000 per year * Non-resident students may also receive a Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship to cover 100% of the non-resident portion of tuition.

Eligibility: Awarded to entering freshmen who have been named a National Merit Semi-Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Renewable annually up to 8 semesters at MSU based on overall college GPA.

Source ↗

AICE Diploma with Distinction

$10,000 total

AICE Diploma with Pass $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year AICE Diploma with Merit $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year AICE Diploma with Distinction $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year

Eligibility: Awarded to entering freshmen who have received an AICE Cambridge Diploma from Cambridge International Education. The amount of the award is determined by the level of diploma that the student has received and their ACT or SAT score.

How to apply: ["General Scholarship Application", "AICE Cambridge Diploma Scholarship application in the scholarship portal", "upload copy of official AICE Diploma"]

Source ↗

AICE Diploma with Merit

$8,000 total

AICE Diploma with Pass $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year AICE Diploma with Merit $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year AICE Diploma with Distinction $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year

Eligibility: Awarded to entering freshmen who have received an AICE Cambridge Diploma from Cambridge International Education. The amount of the award is determined by the level of diploma that the student has received and their ACT or SAT score.

How to apply: ["General Scholarship Application", "AICE Cambridge Diploma Scholarship application in the scholarship portal", "upload copy of official AICE Diploma"]

Source ↗

AICE Diploma with Pass

$6,000 total

AICE Diploma with Pass $6,000 over four years, $1,500 per year AICE Diploma with Merit $8,000 over four years, $2,000 per year AICE Diploma with Distinction $10,000 over four years, $2,500 per year

Eligibility: Awarded to entering freshmen who have received an AICE Cambridge Diploma from Cambridge International Education. The amount of the award is determined by the level of diploma that the student has received and their ACT or SAT score.

How to apply: ["General Scholarship Application", "AICE Cambridge Diploma Scholarship application in the scholarship portal", "upload copy of official AICE Diploma"]

Source ↗

National Recognition Program Scholarship Package

$40,000 total

$40,000 over four years, $10,000 per year

Eligibility: Competitive scholarship for students who have been recognized by the College Board as part of the National Recognition Program.

How to apply: ["General Scholarship Application", "College Board National Recognition Program Scholarship Application in the scholarship portal", "upload certificate from College Board"]

Source ↗

Presidential Endowed Scholarship Package

The package includes costs for tuition, meal plan, and **housing for four years of undergraduate study, as well as $12,000 for enrichment opportunities, such as study abroad and undergraduate research.

Eligibility: Presidential Scholarships are the most prestigious scholarships awarded at MSU. These are awarded to a select number of the most outstanding entering freshmen on a competitive basis. ACT 30+ SAT 1360+ GPA 3.75+

How to apply: ["General Scholarship Application", "Presidential Endowed Scholarships Application within the scholarship portal", "submit qualifying ACT/SAT scores to MSU by December 1, 2025"]

Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at Mississippi State University

Regular Decision

Rolling

Common questions about Mississippi State University scholarships

What GPA or test scores do you need for a scholarship at Mississippi State University?

The lowest published threshold across automatic awards is 3.0 GPA / 21 ACT. Individual scholarships set their own cutoffs.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at Mississippi State University?

No full-ride award is published on the school's scholarship pages.

Do you have to apply separately for merit scholarships at Mississippi State University?

19 of the published awards are granted automatically on your admission application, with no separate scholarship application.

When is the scholarship deadline at Mississippi State University?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is Rolling. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

More on Mississippi State University

Admissions, cost & outcomes → 🏈 Athletics & sports 📍 All schools in MS 💰 Schools with automatic merit

Other MS schools with automatic merit scholarships

Belhaven University Jackson, MS → Mississippi University for Women Columbus, MS → Rust College Holly Springs, MS → William Carey University Hattiesburg, MS →