The Missouri Close the Gap Grant program is up and running to help parents and guardians around the state with certain education expenses.
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said one-time grants of up to $1,500 are available to K-12 students enrolled in a Missouri public school district or charter school. Grants will be prioritized for low-income families. If there’s leftover funding after those below 185% of the federal poverty level receive funds, families at or above that poverty level could be given grants.
Allowable expenses include:
• Instructional resource materials;
• Tutoring;
• Academic day or summer camps;
• Computer equipment;
• Internet connectivity;
• Before- and afterschool educational programs;
• Course fees and textbooks;
• Online access for an academic app or subscription;
• Education, learning, or study skills services;
• Arts-related day or summer camps; and
• Art enrichment.
“Close the Gap is another way to support our mission to provide students access to opportunities,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “In partnership with Odyssey, we are providing families a platform to search for and purchase the resources, tools, and enrichment their student needs to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.”
“Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, and Odyssey will provide Missouri families and students with convenient and modern technology to quickly and easily access funds to get what they need to succeed,” said Joseph Connor, founder and CEO at Odyssey. “The pandemic brought on unimaginable challenges for our students and their learning. Missouri’s Close the Gap Program will help support the ongoing efforts to accelerate learning and get students back on track.”
Parents and guardians can apply by going to Missouri.withodyssey.com. To submit an application, creating an Odyssey account is required.
The deadline to apply is October 25.
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