How To Get Free College in Missouri

Earning a college degree is a great way to start the career of your dreams. However, high tuition costs can sometimes get in the way of making college a reality.

If you're a state resident who doesn't have the funds to cover tuition and other fees, don't worry. Students can attend college in Missouri for free with help from scholarships, grants, and education programs. Students also have the option of attending tuition-free online colleges in Missouri.

Below, we'll learn how to attend community college in Missouri free of charge and explore grants and programs that help reduce tuition costs. We'll also review tips for making college more affordable and highlight tuition-free Missouri colleges.

Is Community College Free in Missouri?

Missouri offers grants, awards, scholarships, and education programs to help students attend a community college free of charge. For instance, Missouri students 25 and older who attend a two- or four-year college can take advantage of the Fast-Track Workforce Incentive Grant. The grant covers students' tuition and fee balance after receiving other non-student loan aid.

This grant is one of many that helps students graduate debt-free. We'll look at some other opportunities for free college in Missouri. But first, let's discuss which Missouri students qualify for free college.

Who Qualifies for Free College in Missouri?

What it takes to qualify for free college in Missouri depends on the opportunity you pursue. However, eligibility is often open to:

• Missouri residents
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• individuals who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form

You can also expect age restrictions, enrollment requirements, and minimum income requirements. Now that you know the common requirements for free Missouri college, let's explore some great opportunities.

What Is the MoState Access Award?

The MoState Access Award offers eligible students funds to pay school-related costs not covered by scholarships and federal, state, and institutional grants. Students receiving this award could pay $0 in tuition and other fees.

Who Is Eligible?

MoState Access Award eligibility is granted to students who are:

• incoming freshmen or new transfer students
• eligible for the Federal Pell grant
• pursuing an undergraduate degree
• Missouri residents
• U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens
• enrolled at least 12 credit hours (full-time)

Students must also have unmet financial need.

Eligible Institutions

Missouri State University is the only school to offer the MoState Access Award. Eligible students can renew this award for up to eight semesters.

How To Apply

To apply, students should complete the FAFSA form and submit it by May 1. Students don't need to complete other applications or forms to be considered for the award.

What Is the Access Missouri Grant?

Access Missouri is a need-based program that awards funds based on a student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and the type of school they attend. Award amounts can range from $300 to $1,300 for students attending public two-year Missouri institutions. Students attending public four-year, state technical college, private, and approved virtual school institutions can receive $1,500 to $2,850.

Who Is Eligible?

The following are the eligibility requirements for the Access Missouri Program:

• Be a Missouri resident and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Have an EFC of $12,000 or less.
• Be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time (12 semester hours, eight quarter hours, or six semester hours if unable to enroll full-time) at a participating Missouri school.

Students shouldn't have a first bachelor's degree or completed the hours for a bachelor's degree (or 150 semester credit hours). Certificates or degrees in divinity or theology are also not eligible.

Eligible Institutions

Dozens of Missouri community colleges, technical schools, colleges, and universities are categorized as Access Missouri participating schools. Some include:

• Avila University
• Clinton Technical School
• Culver-Stockton College
• Harris-Stowe State University
• Missouri State University
• Moberly Area Community College
• Saint Louis University
• Truman State University

How To Apply

Students interested in applying for the Access Missouri program must be enrolled at a participating school and meet all other eligibility requirements. Filling out the FAFSA form is the only application requirement.

What Is the Missouri A+ Scholarship Program?

The Missouri A+ Scholarship Program is a Missouri Department of Higher Education merit-based scholarship for graduates of A+ designated high schools. This scholarship reimburses the unpaid balance of a student's tuition and general fees after non-loan federal financial aid has been applied. The maximum reimbursement for the 2024-2025 academic year is $215 per credit hour or $5.70 per clock hour.

Who Is Eligible?

Here are some of the A+ Scholarship Program eligibility requirements for high school seniors.

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Attend a designated A+ high school two years before graduating.
• Enter into a written agreement before high school graduation.
• Graduate with at least a 2.5 GPA.

Postsecondary students should enroll and attend a participating public community college or vocational school — or an eligible private two-year vocational/technical school.

Eligible Institutions

Eligible A+ community colleges and vocational/technical schools include the following:

• Brookfield Area Career Center
• Crowder College
• East Central College
• Metropolitan Community College
• Ozark Mountain Technical Center
• St. Louis Community College

How To Apply

Students must fill out the FAFSA to apply. They should also check with their selected community college or vocational/ technical school to see what additional materials are required.

Tips for Making College Affordable

If you don't qualify for free tuition at your school of choice, there are many other ways to make college affordable. Here are a few:

• Financial aid: Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs, and other forms of financial assistance offered by federal and state governments and schools
• Tuition reimbursement: Employer program that reimburses a portion or all that an employee pays for college coursework to apply toward a degree or continuing education credits
• Military assistance: Financial assistance to active and former military service members and their families, including scholarships, grants, and the GI Bill

Many forms of financial assistance are available to make college more affordable, and students are taking advantage of them. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 72% of all undergraduates received financial aid in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Tuition-Free Colleges in Missouri

Several colleges in Missouri offer opportunities to enjoy a tuition-free experience. Missouri State University is one. Others include the following.

College of the Ozarks

College of the Ozarks offers free tuition to all enrollees through the Tuition Assurance Scholarship. This scholarship requires each student to work on campus 15 hours per week and two 40-hour work weeks each school year. Tuition Assurance combines credits received for working in the program and federal/state financial aid so students graduate with no cash due.

University of Missouri

The Missouri Land Grant at the University of Missouri gives undergraduate Missouri residents with Pell Grant eligibility up to five total years of tuition at no cost. It covers any remaining tuition and fee balance after subtracting grants and scholarships. The Missouri Land Grant is automatically awarded to eligible students who complete the FAFSA form.

Stephens College

Stephens College offers the Stephens Promise to current, new, and transfer undergraduate students with a 3.3 GPA or higher. Students must live on campus, complete the FAFSA form, and accept available grants. The program covers the remaining balance for tuition after grants have been applied, helping eligible students graduate with no balance.

University of Missouri - Kansas City

The University of Missouri - Kansas City offers Missouri and Kansas residents the Roo Advantage Scholarship. This need-based award covers the remaining tuition and fees for Pell-eligible students after scholarships and grants are applied. First-year and transfer students enrolled full-time and have completed the FAFSA qualify.