Grants
Grants are sums of money given to an eligible student to be applied toward the student’s education costs. Students do not repay grants, but must meet specific requirements to receive them. Scholarships are awarded based upon various criteria, which usually reflect the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.
Grants
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
- Bright Flight Program
- Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
- Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Good Job Challenge
- PELL Grant
- QUEST Grant
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grants
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
This grant is administered by the State of Missouri and is a need-based program designed to be simple to understand, provide predictable, portable awards, and increase access to your school of choice. Your financial eligibility is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated through the FAFSA. You may renew the Access Missouri award annually. To renew you must reapply and have your eligibility re-evaluated each year.
Do I have to repay? No.
Classification : State Grant
Bright Flight Program
This Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program is a merit-based program that encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri postsecondary schools.
https://web.dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants/brightflight.php
Eligibility:
- Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a composite score on the ACT or SAT in either:
- the top 3 percent of all Missouri students taking those tests, or
- the top 4th or 5th percentiles of all Missouri students taking those tests.
The qualifying score must be achieved by the June test date immediately following graduation from high school.
- Enroll as a first-time student and receive the scholarship in the academic year immediately following high school graduation, receipt of your General Education Development certificate, or completion of your secondary coursework, if home-schooled.
- Enroll full time at a participating Missouri school Full-time enrollment is defined as a minimum of:
- 12 semester hours, or
- 6 semester hours for students who are unable to enroll in 12 hours as a result of a disability defined by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Submit supplemental eligibility information, if requested, by the deadline established by the MDHEWD.
- Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.
Renewal Students:
- Continue to meet the eligibility requirements for initial students.
- Receive the scholarship at least one semester each academic year, beginning with the academic year immediately following your senior year in high school, receipt of the GED, or completion of your secondary coursework, if home-schooled.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school. If this is the first academic year in which you have received a Bright Flight payment, this requirement does not apply.
Do I have to repay? No
Classification : State Grant
Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a new State of Missouri financial aid program for adults. The grant addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue a certificate, degree, or industry- recognized credential in an area designated as high need. Grant recipients must maintain Missouri residency and work in Missouri for three years after graduation to prevent the grant from becoming a loan that must be repaid with interest. https://web.dhewd.mo.gov/studentportal/
Eligibility:
- Individuals who are 25 years or older or adults under 25 who have not been enrolled in education in at least two years.
- The grant will serve students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree and are planning to enroll part time or full time.
- Individuals who make no more than $80,000 filing jointly, or no more than $40,000 per year, filing any other tax status.
Grant requirements:
- This grant may be renewed by meeting all of the initial requirements and by making satisfactory progress, which includes maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
- The grant requires that students graduate from an approved institution, maintain Missouri residency, achieve qualifying employment in Missouri within 12 months of graduation, and maintain qualifying employment in Missouri for at least three years.
- One-third of the aggregate amount received through the Fast Track grant will remain a grant for each year of residency and employment. If the recipient meets the residency and employment requirements for less than the full three years, any remaining balance will be converted to a loan and will be repayable with interest.
Do I have to repay? No
Classification : State Grant
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
FSEOG funds are awards based on the availability of funds and the student’s level of need. There is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive an FSEOG.
The purpose of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program is to provide grants to exceptionally needy undergraduate students – who have not received a bachelor’s or first professional degree – to help pay for their postsecondary education. All such students are eligible to apply for the grant, regardless of enrollment status or dependency status.
The institution ensures that FSEOG funds are reasonably available to eligible students (to the extent of available funds) who demonstrate financial need. Funds are reserved throughout the year to ensure that no advantage exists for students enrolling early in the award year as opposed to those enrolling later in the award year. To this end, the institution has established and published deadlines throughout the award year that students must meet in order to be considered for the grant.
Students make application by submitting completed FAFSA data to the federal processor via FAFSA on the Web or by other means and meeting with the published deadline.
Do I have to repay? No.
Classification : Federal Grant
Good Job Challenge
The Good Jobs Challenge grant from the Economic Development Administration, provides, short-term job training in the areas of healthcare, transportation & logistics and paraprofessional education services, and is currently accepting enrollments. We have training providers throughout Missouri ready to help you achieve your career goals.
The grant establishes the creation of a Regional Workforce Alliance which is comprised of five workforce regions encompassing approximately 58 counties in southern and central Missouri. The grant targets unemployed, underemployed or incumbent workers within the designated service area focusing on historically underserved populations to provide job training and placement.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Must be 18 or older
Must reside in the grant service area.
Priority of Service given to:
- Veterans
- Spouse of a Veteran
- Unemployed
- Underemployed or incumbent workers in low-skilled jobs
- Disconnected youth
- Individuals in recovery
- Justice involved individuals
- Historically underserved populations and areas
- Communities of color
- Women
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
For more information, visit the Good Jobs Challenge.
PELL Grant
The Federal PELL Grant is an entitlement program through the US Department of Education which provides grants for students’ education based on need. The amount of the grant is based on family size, income, assets, number of credit hours per semester, and cost of attendance at a given school. Students must file a FAFSA to determine eligibility.
Do I have to repay? No.
Classification : Federal Grant
QUEST Grant
If you are experiencing difficulties that are making it hard to stay in school, the QUEST Grant may be able to help with
- Transportation to and from school expenses
- Childcare expenses
- Car repair expenses
- Rent or Utilities
- And more…
You may qualify if you are training/receiving a degree in Healthcare, and if you:
- Are under-employed or,
- Have not had a job in the past 15 weeks or,
- Lost your job due to COVID-19 or,
- Have received unemployment in the past
Visit here for more information and to locate your QUEST contact person.
Vocational Rehabilitation
If you want to work but have a disability that keeps you from finding or keeping a job, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) may be able to help you. VR specializes in employment and training services that can assist you in becoming employed. A VR counselor will determine your eligibility for services. To be eligible, you need to have a physical or mental impairment that causes problems with working and need VR services to be successfully employed. Once eligible, you will work with a counselor who will help you develop a plan for your rehabilitation. VR will give you vocational information and guidance allowing you to make informed choices about your vocational plan. You can find more information here http://dese.mo.gov/adult-learning-rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation
Do I have to repay? No.
Classification : State Grant
Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grants
For college students, an unexpected financial setback can be a major disruption on the path to a degree. The Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grants are designed to help U.S. military veterans who are pursuing a postsecondary degree and who face financial emergencies that impact their ability to pay for school.
To ensure these unexpected expenses don’t force students to drop out of school, Wells Fargo is awarding immediate one-time grants up to $1,000 for eligible expenses. Grants will be awarded on an ongoing basis while funds are available; grant amounts will be determined based on the cost of the emergency need.
Program will remain open while funds are available.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
WIOA is a federally funded employment and training program. The focus of the Act is on assisting customers to develop workforce opportunities, access training, and manage their career choices through universal access to information and career-oriented services. The WIOA is also a means of identifying training needs and assisting with securing training to fill skill gaps, which may be a barrier to career success.
WIOA funded training grants are available each year for individuals to acquire skills that are currently in demand and provide a high wage. Funds are used to cover the cost of tuition and books. Amount of financial aid for tuition and books varies depending on the length of training program.
Do I have to repay? No.
Classification : Federal/State Grant