A+ Program - Missouri State-West Plains
Welcome to the Missouri State University-West Plains A+ Program page!
The A+ Program Pays Off
Students who are certified as A+ eligible graduates from an A+ high school can attend Missouri State University-West Plains and have their tuition and common fees paid through the A+ program. Join the many students who have decided to save money while getting a quality education at Missouri State-West Plains.
A+ Students Speak Out
“A+ was one of the main reasons I chose to come to Missouri State-West Plains. Having A+ pay my tuition kept my family from having to take out loans and allowed me to have extra spending money to have some fun while in college."“After touring the campus and meeting with professors and students, I found that Missouri State-West Plains was an educational experience. Then you add A+ into the equation and you get the high quality education with a low cost to students.” |
|
|
“I came to Missouri State-West Plains in order to stay close to home, and by using the A+ program I was able to save a lot of money and make some in the process.”“Using the A+ program allowed me to get a quality education in a small town atmosphere that will be respected when I transfer.”“A+ was very accessible to me in high school because the 2.5 gpa was easy to maintain and the tutoring was fun.” |
Eligibility
Initial eligibility for A+ funding is verified by the high school from which the student graduates. In order to receive A+ funds at Missouri State-West Plains, students must be enrolled full time, at least 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and at least 6 credit hours during the summer. Eligible students may start using A+ funds the summer immediately following graduation from high school.
Students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in order to retain funding. Eligibility is reviewed at the conclusion of each semester. Only courses taken after graduation from high school will be figured in calculating the cumulative GPA.
Eligible students must enroll in programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree, Associate of Science degree, Associate of Arts degree, or a certificate. Admission to Missouri State-West Plains does not guarantee acceptance into all programs of study.
Items Covered by A+ Funds
The A+ program will cover tuition and common student fees. MissouriState-West Plains, however, provides scholarship funds to cover course fees for A+ eligible students.* Supply items will not be covered by A+ funds.
*All A+ funding is contingent on funds appropriated for the program. A+ will not cover repeated classes. The definition of a repeated class would be a class for which you are currently registered, but you had previously completed or dropped (after the 100% refund period) even if the original class was paid for with grants or by the student. If you enroll in a repeat class, it will still count toward your required full-time enrollment.
Eligibility Timeline
Students who meet and retain eligibility requirements may receive A+ funds for up to a maximum of six semesters within forty-eight months (four years) from the date of high school graduation or the completion of the first certificate or associate degree. Students may use A+ funding for fall, spring, or summer semesters.
Federal Financial Aid
Students receiving A+ funding must file the FAFSA each academic year. The Financial Aid Office has applications or students may apply online at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
Students who are eligible for Pell Grants or other forms of federal assistance that do not require repayment as determined by FAFSA will have those funds applied to their accounts before A+ funds are applied. Scholarships limited to tuition or books will be applied first. Any covered costs that remain will be paid by the A+ program.
Scholarships
A+ recipients also may receive Missouri State-West Plains institutional scholarships and can apply for endowed and restricted scholarships.
High School Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment
High school dual credit courses or dual enrollment courses are not eligible for A+ funding. Credit for courses earned prior to high school graduation will not be used to calculate the GPA for A+ eligibility.
Concurrent Enrollment A+ Eligible Post-Secondary Institutions
Students may be concurrently enrolled at eligible post-secondary institutions and receive A+ funding to Missouri State-West Plains if they meet all of the requirements. The Financial Aid Office has details.
Transfer From An Ineligible Institution To Missouri State-West Plains
A+ eligible students who transfer from a post-secondary institution to Missouri State-West Plains may qualify for A+ funding if they meet all A+ requirements for retaining eligibility. Students who fail to meet A+ requirements will need to meet the reinstatement qualifications.
Extended Campus Sites and Online
A+ students may enroll in extended campus sites such as Mountain Grove or Houston (or a combination of sites) and be eligible for A+ funding. Credit and GPA from these extended campus sites and online will be used in determining A+ eligibility in the same way as courses taken on the West Plains campus.
Losing Eligibility
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students who fall below the minimum credit hours or GPA requirement will lose A+ funding eligibility.
Reinstatement of Eligibility
A+ students who have lost eligibility for funding may be reinstated if they enroll in subsequent terms and earn a high enough cumulative GPA to remove deficits. No A+ funding will be issued until deficits are removed, but students who are eligible for federal grants as determined by Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may still be eligible for federal assistance. Students must contact the Financial Aid Office to determine reinstatement eligibility.