Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Need-based grant of $500-$1,700/yr at public 2-year colleges or $1,750-$3,500/yr at 4-year, private, State Tech and approved virtual schools in Missouri.
- How much
- $1,700 max per year at public 2-year schools; $3,500 max per year at public 4-year, State Technical College, private and approved virtual schools (minimums $500 / $1,750; may be less depending on funding)
- Who qualifies
- Missouri resident; SAI of $12,000 or less; full-time at a participating Missouri school; no bachelor's degree or 150 credit hours; not studying theology or divinity; renewal requires 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Open now · due February 1, 2027 Annual for 2027-28: FAFSA priority deadline Feb. 1, 2027 (guaranteed award); award deadline set between Feb. 1 and April 1 based on funding; final deadline April 1, 2027; corrections through July 31, 2027.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA by Feb
- 1 (priority, guaranteed award if eligible)
- Final deadline April 1
- There is no separate state application
- Check status in the MDHEWD Student Portal
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dhewd.mo.gov)
The details
Missouri's main need-based grant. Eligibility is set by your Student Aid Index (SAI of $12,000 or less) from the FAFSA. Statutory annual range: public 2-year schools $500 minimum to $1,700 maximum; public 4-year, State Technical College of Missouri, private and approved virtual schools $1,750 minimum to $3,500 maximum. Awards may be lower depending on funding and are final in August. Not available in summer. Reduced by any A+ reimbursement. Full-time undergraduates only (12 semester hours; 6 with an ADA disability). Renewable: refile the FAFSA each year, keep a 2.5 cumulative GPA after the first year, up to 5 semesters at a 2-year school or 10 semesters total. Portable among participating Missouri schools.
More money from Missouri
- Bright Flight Scholarship (Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program)Up to $3,000 per year (top 3% of ACT/SAT scores); up to $1,000 per year (top 4th-5th percentile)
- Advanced Placement Incentive Grant$500 one-time
- Fast Track Workforce Incentive GrantRemaining tuition and fees after other non-loan aid (public schools fully covered; private capped at the comparable public rate), or up to $500 for other costs if tuition is already covered
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.