Consortium Descriptions

A Consortium is a written agreement between two accredited universities/institutions which recognizes a student’s combined enrollment for the purpose of awarding financial aid. The “home” institution is where the student is degree-seeking and will be responsible for processing financial aid and satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Federal regulations mandate that state and federal financial aid may only be awarded to a student by one institution per semester.

Only classes which are required for the student’s degree program and are eligible for credit transfer will be considered under a consortium agreement. The deadline for submitting an agreement is the end of the first week of classes for the fall, spring and summer terms.

MSU Cooperative Degree

This agreement is available to students admitted to a cooperative degree program who are completing all or part of the academic requirements at an off-campus location. Consult your academic advisor or department head to determine out if your program is a cooperative program. A list of approved programs and locations is also available on the Office of Student Financial Aid’s website.

  • A placeholder course equivalent to the number of hours taken at the host school will be added to the student’s registration schedule
  • Combined enrollment will be used to determine eligibility for federal loans and grants, as well as state and university funds
  • A new agreement is required for each semester of dual enrollment

Medical/Radiography Technology

Students completing medical or radiography clinical requirements at approved host institutions are eligible for financial aid through Missouri State University.

  • A placeholder course will be added to the student’s MSU registration schedule
  • Combined enrollment will be used to determine financial aid eligibility (federal loans, state, and university funds)
  • This agreement is effective for the entire enrollment period (generally one or two years).

Graduating Senior

Students wishing to complete their final semester of graduation requirements at another institution may apply for a consortium. They must first have approval from their department head before applying.

  • Students must have applied for graduation prior to submitting a consortium agreement
  • A placeholder course equivalent to the number of hours taken at the host school will be added to the student’s registration schedule
  • Enrollment will be used to determine eligibility for federal grants, as well as state and university funds.
  • Students are not eligible for direct federal loans unless also enrolled at least half-time in MSU courses

University of Missouri Geology Field Trip

A summer field trip is required for geology majors but is not offered by MSU. The University of Missouri has an approved course that meets this requirement. Students must first have approval from their department head before applying for a consortium, and approval for any location other than University of Missouri must be submitted with the consortium application.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MSSU)

Student admitted to MSU’s MAT program and enrolled at least half time (5 credit hours) in graduate level classes between MSU and MSSU are eligible for graduate level financial aid.

  • A placeholder course equivalent to the number of hours taken at MSSU will be added to the student’s registration schedule
  • Enrollment will be used to determine federal loan eligibility
  • A new agreement is required for each semester of dual enrollment

Technology Education Teacher Certification (OTC)

MSU has entered into a cooperative agreement with OTC for the completion of a 32-hour block of academic requirements to Technology Education teacher certification.

  • A placeholder course equivalent to the number of hours taken at OTC will be added to the student’s registration schedule
  • Students must be admitted to the Technology Education teacher certification program
  • Students must also be enrolled at MSU at least half-time
  • Combined enrollment will be used to determine federal loan eligibility

Other/Standard Consortium

Student not participating in any of the programs listed in section B of the agreement should select “Other.” This agreement is available to Pell or Teach eligible students dually enrolled by their own choice at another accredited institution.

  • A placeholder course equivalent to the number of hours taken at the host school will be added to the student’s registration schedule
  • Combined enrollment will be used to calculate federal Pell grant eligibility only
  • Other federal and state aid requires at least half time enrollment at MSU
  • State grants/institutional scholarships which require fulltime enrollment are not available if student is less than fulltime at Missouri State University
  • A new agreement is required for each semester of dual enrollment