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Scholarship Helps Student Succeed

Kris Evans

Scholarship recipient Kris Evans

Scholarship support enables USM students to focus on their coursework and graduate on time, prepared for success in their field. Kris Evans from Mendenhall, Miss., is a prime example.

With the help of the Robert J. Giordano Scholarship fund through the USM Foundation, Kris graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). Her scholarship allowed her the financial freedom to complete an 11-week internship in the Financial Management Scholars Program with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) while earning her degree. This opportunity provided Kris with hands-on experience evaluating bank operations, business planning, risk management strategies and consumer protection practices.

"Balancing school, work, internships, volunteering and time with my family made my college schedule hectic. Receiving a scholarship decreased my financial stress and allowed me to focus on accomplishing my goals," Kris said. "The support of this scholarship also allowed me to purchase a laptop for completing my schoolwork, which was crucial to my success. Mr. Giordano's generosity helped me gain the flexibility to do school projects anytime and anyplace."

Kris plans to return to the FDIC as a financial institution specialist. After completing this program, she will sit for the exam to become a commissioned bank examiner.

"If I could say anything to Mr. Giordano, it would be, 'thank you for providing such a thoughtful gift! Being selected as a USM Foundation scholarship recipient made a world of difference in my ability to graduate on time, real-world ready. Your donation is very much appreciated, and I am ever grateful.'"

This scholarship was made possible through the proceeds of Joey Giordano's life insurance policy and awards a student in the College of Business and Economic Development with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

You Can Help

If you would like to explore different giving options, such as naming Southern Miss as a beneficiary of an insurance policy, please contact Daniel Barton at daniel.barton@usm.edu or 601.266.6428.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I give to The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 118 College Drive #5210, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001, or its successor thereto, ______________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the USM Foundation or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the USM Foundation as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the USM Foundation as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the USM Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the USM Foundation and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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