When it comes to affording college, Missouri students have plenty of options to reduce their financial burden. Whether you are a Missouri resident or planning to attend one of the state's schools—like the University of Missouri (Mizzou), Missouri State University (MSU), or Washington University in St. Louis—there are plenty of opportunities available to help make your higher education journey more affordable.
Inspired by the Show-Me State's practical approach, we have gathered the best scholarship and grant opportunities available for Missouri students. You will find state-funded grants and scholarships, institutional grants and scholarships, federal grants, and private scholarships designed to cover tuition, fees, and certain other educational expenses.
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Richard L. Levis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for Jewish students in the St. Louis area who demonstrate a combination of academic achievement and unmet financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Blanche and Irving Miller Scholarship is available for Jewish students in St. Louis who are majoring in a professional field such as law or medicine. Click here to learn more about how you can apply today!
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 8
Deadline
The Benjamin D. Pessin Education Assistance Fund is available for Jewish students in St. Louis who are majoring in business administration. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
The I-70 Community Hospital Education Foundation Scholarship Fund is available for undergraduate and graduate students in Saline, Lafayette, Johnson, or Pettis Counties in Missouri who are majoring in a medical field of study.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Oct 7
Deadline
The Missouri Bankers Foundation will award up to five $1,000 MBA InternConnect Scholarships annually to college students who have completed an internship with an MBA-member bank within one year of the application deadline.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. and International students who are planning to attend Louisiana Tech University as an out-of-state transfer student. Students must have complete at least 12 semester hours of college credit and have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of an eligible Midwestern state. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$600
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Missouri. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 17
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors who reside within 50 miles of a Simon® property. Students must plan to enroll full time in an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school in the upcoming fall semester, and must demonstrate academic promise and financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Nov 27
Deadline
This award is for college sophomores, juniors and/or seniors who are currently enrolled in an aviation program and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Preference is given to residents of Kansas, Missouri or Illinois.
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$21,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students who have an associate in arts degree, associate in science degree, or at least 60 transferable hours and are planning to transfer to Columbia College of Missouri. Students must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa and have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who have earned an associate's degree and are planning to transfer to Columbia College of Missouri. The student must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$20,238
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
High school seniors and transfer students who are not residents of Idaho and are planning to enroll at Lewis-Clark State College for the first time are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to enroll full time.
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$4,850
Award Amount
179
Awards
Aug 1
Deadline
This award is available to Missouri students who are employed while enrolled part-time at a college or university in Missouri. The student must be at least 18 years old, and be employed for at least 20 per week, and demonstrate financial need.
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$5,121
Award Amount
20
Awards
Aug 1
Deadline
This award is available to Missouri undergraduate students. This program provides tuition assistance to certain public employees and their families if the employee is killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
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$5,790
Award Amount
4
Awards
Aug 1
Deadline
This award is available to Missouri undergraduate students who are children and spouses of Vietnam veterans who served between 1961 and 1972 and whose deaths were attributed to, or caused by, exposure to toxic chemicals during the Vietnam conflict. The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when first entering the military service and at the time of death.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 1
Deadline
This award is available to Arkansas graduate students who are studying dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, or chiropractic medicine at an eligible out-of-state institution.
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$5,000
Award Amount
32
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Kansas residents who plan to establish an optometry practice in Kansas are eligible for this award. Students must enroll full time at the University of Missouri at St. Louis, Southern College of Optometry in Tennessee, or Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. college sophomores or juniors who attend a college or university in one of the following areas: Northern California (Visalia to the Oregon border); Hawaii; or Reno, Nevada. Students must pursue a career in media production, with one or more years of school left to complete.
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$4,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This award is for college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are majoring in manufacturing engineering. The applicant must be attending one of the following universities to be eligible: St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, MO; University of Missouri at Rolla, MO; Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, MO; Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, IL; or Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, IL.
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$100,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students enrolling at Bucknell University. First generation college students, students from outside the university's traditional geographic area, and those who bring cultural and intellectual diversity to the campus will be considered.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
U.S. incoming freshmen who are not residents of Kentucky and demonstrate financial need are eligible for this award. Students must attend Bellarmine University in Kentucky.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 29
Deadline
Rebecca was a passionate, bright, fun-loving young woman who loved being with her friends and felt that no one should miss a high school event because they couldn’t afford to be there. She saw the inequity in the situation and sought to change things. During the Spring of her sophomore year, Becca singlehandedly collected and donated over 250 formal dresses and helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their High School proms in style.
To keep Becca's dream alive, countless dedicated people throughout the United States have joined forces to provide opportunities for those who seek them. Although the core mission of Becca's Closet, located in the Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach, FL, was to collect and distribute dresses to high school girls with financial need, our goals have expanded to offer additional opportunities for deserving young people. In the spirit of Rebecca's visions and aspirations, our foundation raises funds to award post-secondary educational scholarships recognizing the exemplary efforts of young men and women nationwide who demonstrate Becca's spirit of generosity in their own communities.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who have been involved with Becca's Closet are eligible to apply for this award. Students must enroll full time and have an unweighted grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$4,600
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is available to Missouri resident undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time at a Missouri college or university. Students must demonstrate financial need and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $12,000 or less.
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Cost of College in Missouri
Before diving into the scholarship list, it is important to understand the cost of attending college in Missouri. For in-state students at the University of Missouri (Mizzou), tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year will cost between $14,830 and $18,610 per year. Out-of-state students can expect to pay up to $ 39,820 in tuition and fees. At Missouri State University (MSU), in-state tuition and fees are $ 9,502 annually, while non-residents can expect to pay $17,928.
Private institutions like Washington University in St. Louis have much higher price tags, with annual tuition and fees exceeding $65,000.
These numbers may seem daunting, but scholarships, grants, and other financial aid options are widely available to Missouri students to make college more affordable.
Missouri State-Funded Scholarships and Grants
Missouri residents have access to several state-funded scholarships and grants. Most of these programs require students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility based on financial need or academic merit.
A+ Scholarship Program
The A+ Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship that provides financial assistance to Missouri high school graduates who attend a participating 2 year community college or vocational/technical school. Students can receive funding that covers tuition and general fees, as long as they meet program requirements such as maintaining a 2.5 GPA and performing 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring. Funds awarded under this program are awarded after other financial aid is considered.
Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program
The Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program is a need-based grant program for Missouri residents attending a public or private college or university within the state. Award amounts range from $1,500 to $2,850 per year, depending on a student’s financial need and the type of institution you attend.
Bright Flight Program
The Bright Flight Program is a merit-based scholarship program that awards up to $3,000 per year to Missouri high school students who score in the top 3% on the ACT or SAT. This scholarship is renewable for up to 10 semesters, provided students maintain full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. To be considered for the maximum award available, students will need to score at least 32 on the ACT.
Advanced Placement (AP) Incentive Grant
This $500 grant is available to Missouri high school students who have successfully completed at least two Advanced Placement courses and their corresponding exams. Generally, awards are based on students taking AP exams in mathematics The AP Incentive Grant is awarded based on students’ AP scores and is intended to reward academic achievement while preparing students for college-level coursework.
Federal Grants
In addition to state-funded scholarships and grants, Missouri students can apply for federal financial aid programs. The Pell Grant is a major source of funding for low-income students, offering up to $7,395 for the 2024-25 academic year. Missouri students may also qualify for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which offers between $100 and $4,000 per year for eligible students with exceptional financial need. You will need to complete the FAFSA to be considered for any of these federal grant programs.
Institutional Scholarships at Missouri Colleges and Universities
Many Missouri colleges and universities offer their own institutional grants scholarships to make school more affordable and encourage students to enroll at their institutions. These awards are typically based on merit, financial need, or a combination of both. Below are some examples of scholarships offered by prominent Missouri institutions.
University of Missouri (Mizzou) Curators’ Scholars Program
Mizzou’s Curators’ Scholars Program awards scholarships to high-achieving Missouri residents who demonstrate strong academic performance. Awards range from $4,000 to full tuition coverage, and recipients are selected based on GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and leadership potential. Generally, students must be in the top 5% of their graduating high school class and score at least 28 on the ACT to qualify for this program.
Missouri State University (MSU) Presidential Scholarship
The MSU Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious merit-based award offered at Missouri State University. The scholarship award can be up to $15,000 and can cover full tuition, fees, and a housing stipend for up to four years. To qualify for consideration, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.9 and an ACT score of at least 31 or an SAT score of at least 1420.
Washington University in St. Louis Danforth Scholars Program
The Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University in St. Louis recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and community service. The scholarship covers full or partial tuition for undergraduate students and is renewable for up to four years of study. Recipients may also be eligible to receive a housing stipend.
Private Scholarships for Missouri Students
Private scholarships offer another way for Missouri students to fund their education. These awards are typically sponsored by local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and foundations. Below are some notable private scholarships for Missouri students.
Missouri Corn Scholarship
The Missouri Corn Growers Association offers scholarships to high school seniors and current college students pursuing a degree in agriculture or a related field. Students must be from a rural or area of Missouri. The award amount is $1,000, and students must demonstrate a commitment to Missouri’s agricultural industry.
Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MOCPA) Scholarship
The MOCPA offers scholarships to high school seniors, college juniors, and graduate students pursuing degrees in accounting. Awards range from $500 to $1,000, depending on the student’s academic level. Applicants must be Missouri residents and plan to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
Scholarships for Adult Learners in Missouri
Missouri offers several scholarships and grants specifically designed for adult learners or non-traditional students who are returning to school after a gap in their education.
Missouri Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant
The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a relatively new need-based grant program aimed at adult learners in Missouri who are pursuing a degree or credential in a high-demand field. This grant covers tuition and fees for qualifying students attending an eligible Missouri public or private institution. The program targets adult learners over the age of 25 or individuals who have been out of school for at least two years.
Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act
The Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act limits tuition costs to $50 per credit hour for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001, and are attending a Missouri public college or university. This benefit is available for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Applying for Grants and Scholarships in Missouri: Tips for Success
Securing grants and scholarships in Missouri requires careful planning and attention to detail. Here are some tips to help you succeed in your scholarship search:
- Complete the FAFSA early: Many Missouri scholarships are need-based and require you to complete and submit the FAFSA to determine your eligibility.
- Stay organized: Track deadlines, application requirements, and all necessary documents for each scholarship.
- Write a compelling personal statement: Highlight your academic achievements, leadership roles, and goals for the future in your application essays.
- Get strong letters of recommendation: Request recommendations from teachers, counselors, or community leaders who can speak to your qualifications. Request these early as many of your friends may also be requesting letters too!
- Search locally: Explore local organizations, houses of worship, community foundations, and businesses in Missouri that offer scholarships.
With the right preparation, you can secure the funding you need to make college in Missouri an affordable reality. Whether you are aiming to attend Mizzou, MSU, or any of Missouri’s other great institutions, scholarships can help pave the way to success.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff