The Missouri Department of Higher Education administers a number of state grants and scholarships. To be eligible for most Missouri student financial aid, initial and renewal students should have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file by Feb. 1, but no later than April 1. Eligible students who apply between Feb. 1 and April 1 will be awarded state financial aid based on funding availability.
A+ Scholarship Program – This program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a participating public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.
Access Missouri Program – Access Missouri is a need-based program designed to be simple to understand, provide predictable, portable awards, and increase access to your school of choice. Your financial eligibility is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Advanced Placement Incentive Grant – This is a nonrenewable grant designed to encourage high school students to take and score well on Advanced Placement tests in mathematics and science. To be eligible for the grant you must achieve two grades of three or higher on Advanced Placement exams in the fields of math and/or science while attending a Missouri public high school. Qualifying Advance Placement exams are the fields of math or science include Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics C, Physics 1, Physics 2 and Statistics.
Bright Flight Program – The Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program is a merit-based program that encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri post-secondary schools.
Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant – The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a new financial aid program for adults beginning with the 2019-20 academic year. The program addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. More than 635 program areas have been designated as eligible. This program is designed for
- Individuals who are 25 or older or individuals who have not been enrolled in any school within the last two years can participate.
- Individuals who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree and are planning to enroll part time or full time.
- Individuals who make no more than $40,000 per year, filing single, or not more than $80,000 filing jointly.
Kid’s Chance Program – This scholarship is available to children of workers who were seriously injured or died in a work-related accident covered and compensated by workers’ compensation. A serious injury is one that led to a paid settlement or judicial award and is verified with information from the Missouri Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Marguerite Ross Barnett Program – This need-based scholarship was established for students who are employed while attending school part-time.
The Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship is discontinued effective July 1, 2020.
Public Service Officer Survivor -This program provides tuition assistance to certain public employees and their families if the employee is killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
Missouri Education and Training Voucher Program (Missouri ETV) – This is a federally-funded, state-administered program designed to help youth who were in U.S. foster care. Students may receive up to $5,000 a year for qualified school related expenses. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students. Each semester applicants must complete the ETV application from this link and documentation sent directly from the school to ETV confirming enrollment, the cost of attendance (COA) and unmet need must be send. ETV funding is for a maximum of 5 years (consecutive or intermittent).
Wartime Veterans’ Survivors Grant Program – These grants are available annually to children and spouses of Veterans whose deaths or injuries were: a result of combat action or were attributed to an illness that was contracted while serving in combat action, or who became 80 percent disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since Sept. 11, 2001. The total number of students that may receive a grant in any year is limited by statute to 25. The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when first entering the military service or at the time of death or injury. The Missouri Veteran’s Commission determines whether the veteran meets the program’s requirements.