How to Pay for College - Office of Admissions

The thought of how to pay for college can often be scary for high school seniors and their families. While there is no arguing that a college degree can be expensive, money should not keep students from pursuing their dreams of continuing their education. Students should view their education as an investment rather than an expense. There are several financial aid options, such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work study opportunities for students and their families as they work to finance higher education.

When looking into colleges, visit their financial aid websites to see what financial aid options are available and look to see how many students are currently receiving financial aid at that institution. At Missouri State, over 17,800 of our students receive some sort of financial aid each year, totaling over $130 million!

As you research how to pay for your college experience, it is important that you look at financial aid opportunities in the context of total college cost. The total cost for tuition, fees, room and board, books, etc. will vary by college. Federal law requires that all colleges and universities provide a net price calculator on their websites to help you with financial planning. To learn more about Missouri State’s costs, check out our net price calculator. Visit the links on the left side of the page to learn more about how to pay for your college experience.