Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
Caps undergraduate tuition at $50 per credit hour (graduate: 30% of tuition and fees) for honorably discharged combat veterans at Missouri public colleges.
- How much
- $50 per credit hour tuition for undergraduate programs; graduate tuition capped at 30% of tuition and fees
- Who qualifies
- Honorably discharged combat veteran (including Guard/Reserve with 30+ days of federal combat activation)
- Missouri registered voter, eligible to vote in Missouri, or current Missouri resident; enrolled at a Missouri public institution; 2.5 cumulative GPA to keep the undergraduate rate.
- For undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; benefit applies at enrollment within 10 years (undergraduate) or 20 years (graduate) of last discharge.
- How to apply
- Tell your Missouri public college's veterans or registrar office you are a combat veteran and provide your DD214 or other proof of combat service
- The college applies the reduced rate
- What you'll need
- membership
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dhewd.mo.gov) and page 2
The details
Section 173.900 RSMo. Missouri public colleges must limit tuition for combat veterans to $50 per credit hour for certificates, associate and bachelor's degrees (within 10 years of last discharge, with a 2.5 cumulative GPA to keep it), and to no more than 30% of tuition and fees for master's and doctoral degrees (within 20 years; excludes professional degrees like law, medicine, veterinary). Combat service shown by DD214 entries, combat medals, or combat/hazardous/imminent-danger pay; Guard and Reserve count with 30+ consecutive days of federal combat activation. The veteran may choose to apply the reduction before other aid. FAFSA not required.
More money from Missouri
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program$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)
- 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.