Missouri is encouraging students to apply for federal financial aid by April 1. Erik Anderson, Director of Financial Assistance with the Missouri Department of Higher Education, said students who file by April 1 may receive an Access Missouri scholarship award.
“So, the Access Missouri Grant is a grant available to Missouri residents who demonstrate some sort of financial need,” Anderson said. “There is no application process for it. All you have to do is complete the FAFSA, which is a good practice to do anyway. As I said, it’s kind of the first step in applying for financial aid.”
Otherwise known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA is a form students and families use to apply for federal financial aid to help pay for college or career school. Qualification is based on FAFSA’s Student Aid Index, which represents the estimated level of financial need for the student.
“Students who file by the priority deadline are guaranteed to receive an Access Missouri reward,” he explained. “The final deadline is kind of the last call. So, if you apply by the final deadline, which is coming up on April 1st, then we will get you an award based on when you applied.”
The Access Missouri Grant provided over $81 million to more than 40,000 students in the 2023-24 school year, with awards of up to $2,850, for those attending a four-year institution.
“We use the federal methodology which has changed recently to the Student Aid Index. So, we’ve got based on what your Student Aid Index is determines the amount of reward you can get,” said Anderson. “So, if you’re at a public two-year institution, the maximum award you can get is $1,300. If you’re at a four-year institution, public or private, you can get up to $2,850.”
Eligibility includes being a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of Missouri. In addition, to renew the grant, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
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