FAQs

Initial recipients must meet all eligibility requirements listed below:

• You are 25 years or older OR you are under 25 and have not been enrolled in any school within the last two years.
• You are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• You have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
  • If you are an active duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri or the spouse of an active duty military member, the residency requirement does not apply.
• You have not earned a bachelor’s degree and are planning to enroll at least half-time (6+ credit hours).
• You have an Adjusted Gross Income, as documented on your most recent Missouri 1040 tax form (or federal 1040 form if you’re active duty military), of $80,000 or less for married individuals filing jointly or $40,000 or less if filing in any other status.

Renewal recipients must meet all initial recipient eligibility requirements, as well as:

• Have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Have not received a bachelor’s degree

If you are an apprentice applying for Fast Track, you must:

• Be 25 years or older, or if you are under 25, you have not been enrolled in a postsecondary program in the last two years, unless the program relates to your current apprenticeship.
• Be formally participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved and DHEWD designated apprenticeship and meeting any requirements defined by your apprenticeship provider.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
  • If you are an active duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri or the spouse of an active duty military member, the residency requirement does not apply.
• Have not earned a bachelor’s degree and are planning to enroll at least half-time (6+ credit hours).
• Have an Adjusted Gross Income, as documented on your most recent Missouri 1040 tax form (or federal 1040 form if you’re active duty military), of $80,000 or less for married individuals filing jointly or $40,000 or less if filing in any other status.

Yes, all eligible students are encouraged to apply for the grant.

1. Find a Fast Track approved program at OTC
2. Complete the steps for admission to OTC
3. If you are seeking a degree or certificate at OTC, you must complete the FAFSA each year you enroll (or plan to enroll) in college. Individuals interested in receiving Fast Track for the 2023-2024 academic year must complete the 2023-24 FAFSA, using tax information from 2021.
   • If you are participating in a short-term professional development/continuing education course or an apprenticeship, the FAFSA is not required.
4. Apply for the Fast Track grant through the State Financial Aid Portal.
   • You must create an account in the State Financial Aid Portal to access the application. Information about the portal is available here.
   • To apply on the portal:
     • Login to the State Financial Aid Portal.
     • Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.
     • Select the appropriate academic year from the “Select an academic year” dropdown menu.
     • Click the Apply link in the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant row of the table.
     • You must upload a copy of your most recent Missouri 1040 tax form to complete your application.

Qualifying Programs

Students pursuing a selective admission program, such as a Health Science-related certificate or degree, must be accepted into their program of study prior to utilizing the grant. Fast Track does not pay for pre-admission coursework.

Fast Track is designed to ensure, when combined with other governmental financial aid, that tuition and fees are fully covered. Awards will be for any remaining tuition and fees not covered by other state and federal student aid programs.

If a grant amount is reduced to zero due to the receipt of other aid, the eligible student shall receive an award of up to $500 or the remaining cost of attendance as calculated by the institution after all non-loan student aid has been applied, whichever is less.

For apprentices only: Direct apprenticeship costs such as tools, books and uniforms are covered.

Your eligibility expires when the earliest of the following occurs:

• Receipt of the grant for four semesters or the equivalent
  • For an eligible student, four semesters means
    • 60 semester credit hours
    • 1800 clock hours
  • For an eligible apprentice, you have up to 48 months of eligibility
• Receipt of a bachelor’s degree
• Reaching 200% of the academic time typically required to complete the program of study.

You should not change programs without approval through the Fast Track Office. Please speak with your assigned College Navigator to discuss changing your program of study.