Undergraduate students enrolled in fewer than 6 credit hours will not be eligible to receive federal direct loan funding during the summer term.

Depending on individual eligibility, some students may still qualify for other forms of financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, at lower enrollment levels. However, federal student loans specifically require a minimum of 6 credit hours.

What this means for you

If you plan to use federal student loans or other forms of financial aid to help cover summer costs, it is important to review your course schedule and ensure you are enrolled in the required number of credit hours that apply to your program.

What you should do next

• Review your current or planned summer enrollment
• Make any necessary adjustments before the term begins
• Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility or options

The post Summer Financial Aid Enrollment Requirement appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

2026-27 Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship

The Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship Program, named in honor of Allan Walker Purdy, is designed to provide scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and who need additional funding for higher education. This scholarship supports candidates who demonstrate leadership, character, and academic performance. This program is open to students who started higher education right after high school as well as adult learners who are now pursuing or returning to complete a degree. Additionally, these students have a vision, are eager to make their contribution to the world and have the work ethic to bring their dreams to fruition.

Quick Facts:

• Looking for student leaders!
• Up to $5,000, renewable
• Open now through April 1, 2026
• For Missouri undergraduates who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in 2026–2027 (incoming freshmen not eligible)
• Requirements: 2.5+ GPA, demonstrated leadership, character, and academic performance
• SAI and unmet need are considered during selection

2026-27 Show-Me To College Scholarship

The Show-Me to College Scholarship is a private scholarship for students with a Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less, a GPA of 3.50 or higher at a Missouri high school, and proven record of community service, extracurricular participation, and/or work experience. Students will be required to complete an online application on My Scholarship Central, including uploading their FAFSA Submission Summary, high school transcript, and answering a few questions.

Quick Facts:

• Opening February 1, 2026
• $2,000 renewable scholarship
• Open February 1 – April 1, 2026
• For your incoming freshmen (current high school seniors)
• Eligibility: SAI ≤ 12,000 and 3.5+ GPA
• No essays; students will list their activities directly in the application

Next Steps

• Current MO State Bears who meet eligibility requirements for the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship can apply online now! The deadline to submit this application is April 1, 2026.
• Future Bears who meet eligibility requirements for the Show-Me to College Scholarship can apply online starting February 1, 2026. The deadline to submit this application is also April 1, 2026.

Go Bears!

The post 🚨2026-27 Scholarship Alert🚨 appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

Can you believe it’s already time to start planning for the 2026-2027 academic year? We’re thrilled to encourage you to take the most important step for your financial future at Missouri State: filing your 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Missouri State is committed to Every Bear, Every Year – helping every student, every time, access the financial aid they deserve. Every bear, regardless of income, should plan to file the FAFSA every year they are in school.

Hit that December 1 priority deadline!

To make sure you get the best consideration, lock in this date: December 1, 2025. This is the Mo State priority consideration deadline. Applying for admission and submitting your FAFSA by this date ensures our team can review your eligibility for the widest range of aid programs.

Even if you don’t meet the December 1 deadline, filing your FAFSA no later than February 1, 2026 still ensures you will qualify for a wide array of federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

A FAFSA is Your Ticket to All Mo State Scholarships

Here is another huge reason to file: The FAFSA is required for all new students who wish to receive institutionally funded scholarships.

That means every type of award from Missouri State (including merit-based, need-based, and competitive scholarships) requires a FAFSA on file. Don’t miss out on your chance for these crucial funds.

Every Bear, Every Year

So don’t wait another day. Every bear should hop online, complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA, and secure your place in the priority consideration group.

Go Bears!

The post Ready, set, go! File your 2026-2027 FAFSA now! 🐻💰 appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

The scholarship is scheduled to launch August 28, 2025. Eligible applicants include law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and other qualifying personnel who meet the state’s service requirements, as well as their dependent children. Applicants must be Missouri residents, satisfy institutional admission standards, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The online application will be available through the state’s Student Financial Aid Portal.

MSU’s Risk-Free Guarantee for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

Because the state is still finalizing program details, Missouri State University has created a plan that lets you move forward with confidence. Our MSU Guarantee allows students who are not currently enrolled at Missouri State University, but expect to qualify for the scholarship, to enroll for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 risk-free.

If you enroll believing you qualify but later the state determines you are ineligible, you may choose one of these options:

• Withdraw after the add/drop period with no financial penalty.
• Receive a one-time $1,000 MSU scholarship toward Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 tuition and fees.
• Receive an exception to qualify for the MoState Access Award if you meet all other criteria.

This guarantee means you don’t have to wait for final state approval to start your degree!

You can apply now and register knowing that Missouri State is ready to support you.

Next Steps

We encourage all eligible public safety personnel and their families to begin preparing now: complete your FAFSA, gather documentation of service, and explore the academic programs that fit your goals. Contact an Admissions staff member to get started!

Your service keeps Missouri strong. Let Missouri State help you turn that dedication into a degree.

Go Bears!

The post New State Scholarship for Missouri’s Public Safety Community and Mo State’s Risk-Free Path to Enroll appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

Important dates & financial aid reminders

1. Change of Schedule Period (Add/Drop): August 18 – August 22
   • Make any final schedule tweaks during these dates. Your fall enrollment will be frozen at midnight on Friday, August 22, and that will determine your final financial aid status (e.g., full-time, three-quarter time, half-time). Make every credit count!
2. Fall 2025 Financial Aid Disbursements: Monday, August 25
   • If your financial aid is ready to go, it will begin disbursing that day. Keep an eye on your student account!
3. Refunds for Excess Aid: Around the end of week two / early in week three
   • If your aid exceeds your university charges, any extra funds will be refunded to your student account shortly after the start of classes.
4. State Funds (e.g., Access Missouri Grant, Bright Flight Scholarship, etc.)
   • These awards will arrive later in the term since we must first wait for the state to release funds before processing. No need to worry if they don’t show up right away.
5. Missing Funds? Check These
   If your aid doesn’t disburse right away, make sure you’ve completed all necessary steps:
   • Is all your required paperwork or documentation sent to our office? You can check on your Financial Aid Homepage.
   • Have you accepted all “Offered” funds online?
   • First-time Direct Loan borrowers: Have you completed your Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note (MPN) with the U.S. Department of Education?
   • Have you reviewed and agreed to your Financial Aid Terms & Conditions on your Financial Aid Homepage?

Need help?

We’re here for you! Visit us in Carrington Hall 101, call us at 417-836-5262, or email FinancialAid@MissouriState.edu.

Our office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a m to 5 p m, and Tuesday–Thursday from 9 a m to 5 p m.

Let’s do this!

Here’s to an exciting new semester! As you prep for classes, remember: staying informed and proactive about your financial aid helps you focus on what matters most—learning, growing, and fully experiencing Bear life. Let’s make this fall semester a great one.

Go Bears!

The post Welcome (Back) to Campus, Bears! appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) has officially opened the 2025–2026 application for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant—a powerful financial aid resource for Missouri adults looking to gain skills for in-demand careers.

Whether you’re returning to school, changing careers, or finishing a degree that was previously on hold, Fast Track may be the support you need to make it happen.

What is Fast Track?

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a state-funded program designed to support adult learners (typically age 25 and older or independent students) who are pursuing education and training in high-demand fields. Eligible students can receive funding to cover tuition and fees that aren’t already met by other financial aid sources. The grant is available for eligible credit-bearing programs, non-credit workforce training, and apprenticeships.

Fast Track helps Missourians:

• Pursue degrees, certificates, or credentials in high-demand industries such as healthcare, IT, manufacturing, skilled trades, and education.
• Access financial aid that can fully cover the remaining cost of tuition and fees after other aid is applied.
• Remain in Missouri and contribute to the workforce. After completing their program, recipients agree to work full-time in the state for at least three years.

How to Apply for the 2025–2026 Award Year

The application is now live through the State Financial Aid Portal hosted by MDHEWD. Here’s how students can apply:

1. Create or log into your State Financial Aid Portal account:
   MDHEWD Student Portal
2. Select the “Estimate Eligibility” tab.
3. Choose the 2025–2026 academic year.
4. Find the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant in the table and click “Apply.”

Be sure to complete all required fields and upload any supporting documentation. Students must apply each year they wish to receive the grant.

Eligibility Highlights

To qualify, students must:

• Be Missouri residents.
• Be at least 25 years old, or if under 25, be considered independent for federal financial aid purposes.
• Not have earned a bachelor’s degree.
• Be enrolled in an approved program or training area.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Agree to work full-time in Missouri for at least three years after program completion.

Need Help?

For more information on eligibility and how Missouri State students can make the most of this opportunity, check out:

• Fast Track: Information for Students
• Fast Track: Information for Educational Partners

Still have questions? Contact MDHEWD directly at 800-473-6757 (option 4) or reach out to our office at FinancialAid@MissouriState.edu.

Take the Fast Track to Your Future.

This is your opportunity to upskill, retool, and build a stronger career path—without the weight of financial barriers. Apply today and move your goals forward with the support of the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.

The post Now Available: 2025–2026 Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Application appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

Impact on aid programs

At this time, the Department of Education has indicated that these staff reductions will not impact federal student financial assistance programs. This means that programs like Pell Grants and federal student loans are expected to continue as usual. According to the Department’s statement, “The Department of Education will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking.”

Steps you can take

If you have concerns or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our financial aid office. We are dedicated to ensuring that your educational journey continues smoothly. Here are some steps students and families can take to ensure continuity in your financial aid eligibility:

• Students can still apply for and receive Pell Grants, federal student loans, and other federal financial aid programs as usual.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) remains open, and applications are being processed normally.
• Continue to monitor official lines of communication such as university communications or the Federal Student Aid website.
• Don’t rely on social media for news or updates without first verifying its accuracy.

Missouri State’s commitment

At Missouri State University, our commitment to supporting our students remains strong. Our financial aid office remains fully staffed and ready to assist our students navigate their financial aid options. We are monitoring the situation closely and will update students and families if any changes occur.

The post U.S. Department of Education Initiates Reduction in Force appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation’s Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship is a renewable private scholarship of up to $5,000 for current undergraduate students attending an eligible Missouri institution during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Eligibility

Open to current college students who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Missouri resident.
• Be an undergraduate second, third, or fourth year student attending MSU for the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Be enrolled full-time, unless enrolled in final semester prior to degree completion.
• Making Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the school.
• Have cumulative college GPA of 2.50 or higher.
• Student’s SAI range as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will factor into decision. Unmet need will also be a factor.

This application requires one recommendation. The recommendation should be from an instructor, counselor, advisor, current or recent supervisor, community leader, or other similarly qualified individual. Your application may not be considered if the recommendation is not submitted.

Application Process

Before you start applying, you should know:

• The scholarship application opens February 1 and there is an application deadline of April 1, 2025
• You will need a copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary generated from the FAFSA and your high school transcript through at least seven semesters (through fall semester of your senior year).

Steps to applying:

1. Go to myscholarshipcentral.org/apply and click “Apply Now”.
2. On the top right of the page, click “Sign In” if you already have a My Scholarship Central account, or “Sign Up” if you’ve never used the site.
3. Enter your email and password. If you are a new user, you will receive a confirmation email and must click the link in the email to validate your account. Use an email address that you will have access to after you graduate from high school.
4. Complete the General Application if you have not done so this year.
5. After submitting the General Application, you should see the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship on your list of Recommended Opportunities. If not, click “Opportunities” in the blue bar and choose “Ours.” Search “Show-Me”.
6. Click the orange “Apply” button next to the opportunity name. After completing the application, click “submit” at the bottom right of the page.

Questions? Contact info@moslf.org or 636.733.3712.

The post 🚨Scholarship Alert: Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship🚨 appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

Apply Today!

The deadline for the MSU Foundation Scholarship application is fast approaching on March 1! With just one application, you can unlock nearly 1,000 scholarship opportunities.

Donor funded scholarships are privately donated funds that are given to Missouri State students each year. The funds come from private gifts to the University made by individuals, groups or companies. They are awarded to students based on a wide range of criteria: major, high school attended, outstanding academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need.

How to apply

The 2025-2026 MSU Foundation Annual Scholarship Application is only available online:

1. Access the My.MissouriState.edu Portal using your Bear Pass Login.
2. Locate your Financial Aid & Scholarship card (you may need to use the search tool)
3. Select the MSU Foundation Annual Scholarship Application Link.

For any further questions you may have about the application or Foundation scholarships, you may visit the Foundation Scholarship website or contact the Foundation at FNDScholarships@MissouriState.edu.

We wish you the best of luck in applying and remember to submit your application by March 1, 2025!

Go Bears!

Please Note: This application is for donor-funded scholarships offered through the Missouri State University Foundation only. These are different than outside, university, state, or federally funded scholarships and aid, information on which can be retrieved from the Office of Student Financial Aid.

The post MSU Annual Scholarships appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.

The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation’s Show-Me to College Scholarship is a renewable private scholarship of up to $2,000 for students with a Student Aid Index of 12,000 or less, a GPA of 3.50 or higher at a Missouri high school, and a proven record of community service, extracurricular participation, and/or work experience.

Eligibility

Open to graduating high school seniors who meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Missouri resident.
• 2025 high school graduate; Missouri high school seniors who are enrolled full-time at an eligible Missouri public or private higher education institution for the 2025-2026 academic year (Missouri State is an eligible institution).
• Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 12,000 or less as determined on the FAFSA.
• Have earned a 3.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent on another scale) cumulative weighted or unweighted GPA through at least seven semesters at a Missouri high school.
• Show involvement in activities such as participation in clubs, organizations, sports, community service, employment, and/or family caregiving.

This scholarship is renewable for a maximum of four years. Recipients must continue to meet the eligibility requirements and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50.

Application Process

Before you start applying, you should know:

• The scholarship application opens February 1 and there is an application deadline of April 1, 2025
• You will need a copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary generated from the FAFSA and your high school transcript through at least seven semesters (through fall semester of your senior year).

Steps to applying:

1. Go to myscholarshipcentral.org/apply and click “Apply Now”.
2. On the top right of the page, click “Sign In” if you already have a My Scholarship Central account, or “Sign Up” if you’ve never used the site.
3. Enter your email and password. If you are a new user, you will receive a confirmation email and must click the link in the email to validate your account. Use an email address that you will have access to after you graduate from high school.
4. Complete the General Application if you have not done so this year.
5. After submitting the General Application, you should see the Show-Me to College Scholarship on your list of Recommended Opportunities. If not, click “Opportunities” in the blue bar and choose “Ours.” Search “Show-Me”.
6. Click the orange “Apply” button next to the opportunity name. After completing the application, click “submit” at the bottom right of the page.

Questions? Contact info@moslf.org or 636.733.3712.

The post 🚨Scholarship Alert: Show-Me to College Scholarship🚨 appeared first on Office of Student Financial Aid News.