What is the Missouri State Promise Scholarship?

The Missouri State Promise Scholarship program is designed to help the neediest of Missouri’s students to complete a college degree without incurring debt to cover the basic costs of tuition and books.  This innovative program will provide students from households with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level with an institutional scholarship to supplement federal, state, institutional, and/or private grants and scholarships they may receive to ensure that the total gift aid (aid that does not need to be repaid) will cover the cost of tuition and fees and a standard book allowance.  The scholarship is renewable for students who complete 24 or more credit hours in the academic year with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher and continue to meet the need requirement.

What are the eligibility requirements?

The Missouri State Promise Scholarship will be awarded to entering students who:

• Are Missouri residents in accordance with the residence policy (www.missouristate.edu/admissions/residency.htm).
• Are admitted as either first-time freshmen or transfer students after completion of an associate degree from a regionally-accredited Missouri community college or associate-degree granting college (including Missouri State University-West Plains).  The undergraduate admission policy is available at www.missouristate.edu/admissions/admpolicy.htm.
• Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA; www.fafsa.ed.gov) by June 30 (for students entering in the summer or fall semesters) or October 31 (for students entering in the spring).  No special application for this program is required; instead, qualified students will be identified based on their FAFSA.
• Apply for admission by June 1 (for students entering in summer or fall) or by October 1 (for students entering in the spring).
• Enroll as a full-time student (12 or more credit hours per semester in the fall and spring semesters).
• Have a total household income (taxed and untaxed combined, but excluding the student income for dependent students), as reported on the FAFSA and verified by supporting documentation that is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS).

Who establishes federal poverty guidelines?

Poverty guidelines are established annually by the USDHHS. The following table shows federal poverty levels for 2008 that will be used to determine eligibility for the 2009-10 academic year.  For Missouri Promise income guidelines, multiply the income for each family size below by 150%.  Eligibility for future years will be determined by poverty levels established for those years.

Family Size	Household Income*
1	$10,830
2	$14,570
3	$18,310
4	$22,050
5	$25,790
6	$29,530
For each additional family member add	$3,740

For details on the federal poverty level, visit aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/09poverty.shtml.

What is included in household income?

Household income is defined for dependent students as the sum of the taxed and untaxed parent income (student income is not included).  For independent students, it is the sum of the taxed and untaxed income of the student (plus the spouse’s income for married students).  This information will be taken from the student’s FAFSA and will require verification.

What year’s income is used?

The income from the calendar year prior to the start of the academic year will be used to determine eligibility.  For example, 2008 income will be used to determine eligibility for the 2009-10 academic year. 

How do students apply?

Students who submit a FAFSA by the deadline indicated above will automatically be considered.  No special application is required.  We encourage students to submit the FAFSA online (www.fafsa.ed.gov).

How do students apply for financial aid?

To be considered for financial aid, students must submit the FAFSA and have their results sent to Missouri State University.  Students who meet the income criteria for the Missouri State Promise Scholarship will be required to verify information reported on their FAFSA.
 
What is the value of the Missouri State Promise Scholarship?

The value is determined individually for students based on their enrollment and other types of gift aid they receive.  The following is an example, based on 2009-10 fees for a student taking 30 credit hours per year.

Tuition and Fees (30 Credit Hours)	$6,276
Financial Aid Pell Grant Institutional, Foundation, or Other Scholarship	$5,350 $500
Missouri State Promise Scholarship Difference between cost of $6,256 and aid of $5,231 Books (Maximum per year)	$1,025 $900
Total Scholarship	$1,326

The scholarship will be disbursed by semester.  In the example above, the student would receive approximately $663 each semester.  The final value of the scholarship will be based on the student's fee assessment at the close of the official change of schedule period (end of the first week of classes).

The Missouri State Promise Scholarship does not provide funding for summer session enrollment; however, students who enroll for the first time during the summer 2009 semester will be eligible to receive the scholarship beginning with the fall 2009 semester. 

What are the requirements for renewal?

The Missouri State Promise Scholarship is renewable for students who:

• File the FAFSA each year by the June 30 deadline.
• Continue to meet household income requirements based on current year poverty levels.
• Continue to enroll as full-time students.
• Complete 24 credit hours in the academic year with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher.  (While the scholarship does not cover summer session enrollment, students may use hours earned during the summer to meet the credit hour and grade point average requirement.)

For how long may a student receive the Missouri State Promise Scholarship?

Entering freshmen may renew for three years beyond the freshman year (i.e., receive the award for four years total).  Entering transfers may renew for one year (i.e., two years total).

What are the costs of attendance?

Complete information about costs is available at:  www.missouristate.edu/costs. 
 
Is additional aid available to cover room and board and other costs?

Yes.  Students who receive the Missouri State Promise Scholarship may also be eligible for the full range of other federal and state programs, including College Work Study and Stafford Loans.  Parents of dependent students may also utilize the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students.  Additionally, the University offers an extensive program of student employment.

For complete information on financial aid opportunities, visit www.missouristate.edu/financialaid.

What other services are available to students who receive the Missouri State Promise Scholarship?

Missouri State University is committed to the success of all of our students.  For this reason, we offer a wide range of programs and services designed to meet student needs, including academic advisement, career counseling, new student orientation, and resources that include a Writing Center, tutors in selected academic disciplines, and much more.  Missouri State Promise Scholarship recipients are encouraged to take advantage of these services and programs. 

How can I contribute to the endowment used to fund the Missouri State Promise Scholarship?

We would welcome contributions to this privately funded scholarship program.  Please contact the University Foundation (www.foundation.missouristate.edu) by calling 417-836-4143.

How can I learn more about the Missouri State Promise Scholarship and other financial aid opportunities at Missouri State?

Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

    Telephone:    417-836-5262 or 800-283-4243
    Web:    www.missouristate.edu/financialaid
    Email:  financialaid@missouristate.edu