Step 1: The first step in qualifying for Financial Aid at Missouri State is to submit your application for admission. Many scholarships at Missouri State are awarded based on the information you provide in your admission materials and are automatically credited to you upon your acceptance to the university. The deadline for these type of scholarships is March 1.
Step 2: Begin researching your financial aid options. This website is a great place to begin familiarizing yourself with the resources that might be available to you. Once you've learned a little about the different types of aid available, expand your search. The internet, your high school counselor and your local library can help you get the information you need to find financial assistance. There is a lot of great information out there, but there is also some information that can get you off track. During your research beware of scams!
Step 3: Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you believe you will not qualify for federal or state aid, you should complete your FAFSA as soon as possible! Many colleges and universities (Missouri State included) use the results of your FAFSA as a springboard for determining additional sources of aid, and a completed FAFSA is sometimes required for scholarship applications. The FAFSA becomes available January 1 for the following school year and you will need the results of your taxes to complete the application. In Missouri, the state aid deadline is April 1, but federal aid is available year round. When your FAFSA is processed, you will receive a notice of aid for which you may qualify called your Student Aid Report (SAR). The schools you select when filling out the FAFSA will also receive a copy of your results, which they will use to create a financial aid package that will work for you. Click here to see an unofficial estimate of the aid for which you may qualify.
Step 4: Apply, apply, apply! for scholarships and other sources of aid that you located during your research. Keep in mind that the most substantial scholarships often have the earliest deadlines. Keep copies of your applications for future reference. Each scholarship may have very different application procedures. Be sure to read each application carefully and complete each application fully. Check and recheck the deadlines - extensions are rarely granted!
Step 5: Enjoy the fruits of your labor! Schools begin making award offers detailing the financial aid available to you as soon after your admission as possible, and most sources of aid for the following school year are awarded by May. Once you receive your award offer, be sure to read it carefully. Review the aid available to you and then accept your awards on-line at My.MissouriState.edu.
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