Financial Aid in Missouri
Score Some Extra Cash This Semester
Missouri is called the "show me state"; for students seeking funding to pay for their educations, it might well be known as the "show me the money" state. There are a number of scholarship and grant options for both teens and adults looking to further their credentials. Most programs are provided through the Missouri Department of Higher Education.
Financial Need-Based
The Charles Gallagher Student Assistance Program is a grant that gives up to $1,500 to eligible Missouri state residents who are attending Missouri colleges or universities on a full-time basis. All applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
If you're a college undergrad who is also a Missouri resident, you can receive up to $1,500 through the Gallagher Grant. You'll be asked to prove financial need by completing the FAFSA.
Did you have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or more? You may be eligible for the Missouri College Guarantee Scholarship which offers up to $6,200 toward tuition at a state college. Again, the FAFSA is necessary to document financial need.
For part-time students who are enrolled at a Missouri two or four-year college, the Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship offers $900-$1,700 to cover tuition costs. This award is not available to high school students.
Merit-Based
Did you graduate in the top 10% of your high school class? If so, why not apply for the Chancellor's Scholarship? It's highly competitive, but you could receive up to $12,000 and it's renewable if you keep up a GPA of at least 3.25. Check with your Missouri school guidance counselor for more information on this substantial award opportunity.
If you're a Missouri resident who scored in the top 3% on your standardized tests (such as the SAT or ACT), you can try for the Missouri High Education Academic "Bright Flight" Scholarship. It's worth $2,000 toward your tuition to an accredited Missouri college or university.
The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is available for high school seniors in Missouri who are also state residents. Applicants must graduate in the top 10% of their class and score in the top 10% on the ACT standardized test. Most awards are between $1,100 and $1,500.
The Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship is a nonrenewable award of at least $2,000 available for state high school seniors or those already in residence at a state college or university. Recipients of this award must be enrolled in an approved educator training program and have ranked in the top 15% of their high school class on standardized tests (ACT or SAT). All awardees must agree to teach in Missouri at a public elementary or secondary school for five years; if they do not complete this requirement, the funds will need to be repaid.
Profession-Specific
Want to become an educator? The Missouri Teachers Scholarship Program provides $2,000 annually to full-time state residents who will be receiving a degree in teaching. You must have graduated in the top 15% of your high school class or scored in the top 15% of your standardized tests (ACT or SAT). Your college or university student financial assistance office will have an application for this award.
Planning for a master's degree in library science or certification as a school library media specialist? Try for the Missouri State Library Scholarship, which provides varying amounts toward tuition and fees at a Missouri college or university. You must be a state resident or current employed in Missouri and already enrolled at an accredited institute of higher learning to apply.
The ASCLS Region VI Missouri Organization for Clinical Laboratory Science Education Scholarship offers financial aid to undergraduate students who are attending a Missouri college or university and studying clinical laboratory science or medical laboratory technology. To be eligible, you must be a member of the MOCLS for at least two year.
Minorities
If your ethnic background is African, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian and you're a Missouri resident, you may be able to apply for the Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship Program. Up to $3,000 is available to underwrite your education at an eligible college or university. One caveat - you must have graduated in the top 25% of your high school class or in the top 75% of standardized tests (i.e., SAT, ACT). An application should be available through your college's Student Financial Assistance Office.
If you're a minority student who is from the Kansas City metro region and you expect to attend a United Negro College Fund member university or the University of Missouri (Kansas City), why not try for the Kansas City Initiative Scholarship? You could obtain between $2,500 and $5,000 to help pay for your tuition.
If you're a minority (Asian, African American, Hispanic, or Native American/Eskimo) enrolled in a teaching program at a selected Missouri institution, why not apply for the Missouri Minority Teaching Scholarship? At least $3,000 is given to those who receive this funding. One note - you must agree to commit to teach for at least five years at a Missouri public elementary or secondary school; otherwise, you'll have to repay the award. See other national teaching scholarships.
Miscellaneous
If you are a state resident who is enrolled full-time at a Missouri two or four year college, you may want to look into the Missouri College Guarantee Program. This scholarship is worth between $100 and $4,900 and is given to those who have maintained a GPA of at least 2.5 as well as participated in extracurricular activities during their high school years.
Institute Specific
The University of Missouri offers two Naval ROTC monetary offers to applicable students. The first, the NROTC Scholarship, provides full tuition to UMC or Columbia College. Additionally, funds are given to pay for Naval Science books, uniforms, and subsistence. The NROTC College Program does not provide full tuition, but it does cover payment for all uniforms, Naval Science books, and subsistence. There are minimum requirements for both NROTC offers, including a high school GPA of at least 2.3 and a college GPA of 2.0 or above.
