Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program:

This state student  need-based aid program is designed to provide students with a simplified financial aid process, provide predictable, portable awards, and increase access to a student's school of choice.  The student's need is determined by the students expected family contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  To be eligible, students must file their FAFSA by  April 1 of each year, be enrolled full time, and have an EFC of $12,000 or less.  Awards vary from $300 to $1,000 a year at a public two-year school.

Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight):

These $2,000 scholarships are awarded to qualified Missouri residents attending a participating Missouri college or university on a full-time basis. To be eligible, high school graduates must have a composite score on the ACT or SAT in the top three percent of all Missouri students taking those tests. The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) will obtain a student's approved Missouri school choice and their ACT or SAT composite scores from the student's ACT or SAT assessment record. Eligible students will receive an approval letter from MDHE.

Marguerite Ross Barnett Scholarship:

These scholarships are awarded to Missouri residents who are enrolled part time and are employed at least 20 hours per week. Financial need is required.  To apply, complete the FAFSA and contact  the Financial Aid Office by April 1.

Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship:

This Scholarship is designed to attract academically talented individuals into the teaching profession. During the 2006-2007 academic year, scholarship amount was $2,000:  $1,000 through the state of Missouri and $1,000 matched by Missouri State University-West Plains. In 2007-2008, Missouri State University-West Plains funded two matching scholarships (number may vary yearly). The scholarship is a one-time, non-renewable award to be used in one academic year. Upon completion of the degree, student would be required to teach in Missouri public schools for five years. Failure to complete requirements would convert the scholarship to a loan. For application information, contact the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at (573) 751-1668.

Urban Flight and Rural Needs Scholarship Program

This program provides scholarships to eligible students who enter a teacher education program and make a commitment to teach as a condition of receiving such a scholarship.  The scholarship covers one hundred percent of the total cost of eligible students' tuition and fees up to four years, at a community college or at a  four-year college or university located in Missouri.  Student must be a resident of Missouri and be a graduate of  a Missouri high school with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5  or better.  Recipients of this scholarship who do not complete a teacher education program or do not fulfill the eight-year teaching requirement, will have the scholarship converted to a loan and  would have to be repaid by the student.  The obligation for repayment is reduced by one-eighth for each year of teaching experience in an appropriate school.