How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?
To be considered for financial aid at Missouri State University, you must first be admitted to the University. Information about the admissions process is available online through the Office of Admissions.
Below you will find general information on applying for the four main types of financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans and work study.
Applying for scholarships
Application processes and deadlines vary by scholarship. We encourage you to begin searching for scholarships no later than August for the following academic year. Some scholarships are need-based and require a student to complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 31.
Missouri State University’s earliest scholarship deadline is December 1 for the following academic year. Visit our Scholarships page for scholarship opportunities, criteria, application information and deadline dates.
Applying for grants
Follow the steps below to apply for federal and state financial aid:
- Complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 31
We recommend that you complete the application at least two to three weeks before March 31 to be considered for maximum aid. - Review your Student Aid Report after submitting your FAFSA and correct any errors
- Submit additional paperwork to the office of student financial aid if requested
- Access your award letter through My Missouri State, which will be available in April
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for future aid
Applying for loans
Educational loans are available to degree seeking students and to parents of dependent students. The majority of loans are awarded through the Federal Direct Loan Program, which funds low interest student loans.
To apply for a Stafford Direct Loan, follow the steps listed below:
- Complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of March 31
We recommend that you complete the application at least two to three weeks before March 31 to be considered for maximum aid. - Review your Student Aid Report after submitting your FAFSA and correct any errors
- Access your award letter through My Missouri State, which will be available in April
- Accept or decline your aid
- If you are a first time Direct Stafford Loan borrower, complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for future aid
Visit our Loan page for additional loan options and information.
Work study
The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs to students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. To be considered for work study, you must complete the FAFSA by March 31 and meet the following requirements:
- Demonstrated financial need, which is determined from the FAFSA application
- Have a minimum 2.0 GPA
- Be enrolled at least half-time, which is 6 credit hours in the fall and spring, and 3 credit hours in the summer
If you do not qualify for work study, Missouri State has many part-time jobs. Visit our Student Employment page for both on- and off-campus job openings. We recommend that you begin searching for jobs no later than one month before the semester begins.
- Be careful of scams: Never pay money to get money.
- Complete the FAFSA soon after it becomes available on Jan. 1 to be considered for maximum aid each year.
- Give yourself plenty of time to complete financial aid applications by the specified deadline dates.
