Scholarships for Entering Freshmen

Academic Year

The information provided here refers to scholarships funded by the University. A number of privately-funded scholarships are also available through the Missouri State University Foundation.

The following is a summary of scholarship programs for entering students who enroll full-time at the Springfield campus the year they graduate from high school. Unless otherwise noted, scholarships cannot be combined and are only renewable for up to three additional years (eight semesters total).  Scholarships are for fall and spring semesters only except for students who choose the summer option. 

To qualify for scholarships, you must first apply and be admitted. Application forms are available online, from the Missouri State Office of Admissions, and also from Missouri high schools. Your application must be received by the deadline specified for each scholarship for consideration. You must also meet the specific requirements outlined below.

For scholarships for which your application for admission is your application for scholarships (i.e., Governors, Provost, and Deans’), your eligibility will be determined when you are initially admitted to the University. If you subsequently increase your test scores, class rank, and/or GPA, you will be considered for upgraded scholarships accordingly. For those scholarships, we will consider scores from ACT or SAT tests you have taken during or before December of your senior year. We will also use either your sixth or seventh semester rank or GPA, whichever is highest. 

Missouri State accepts weighted averages as consideration for scholarships. Grade point averages (GPA) are based on a 4.00 scale rounded to the nearest 0.01. For all scholarships, students must have a diploma from a high school accredited by the state education agency or a  regional accrediting association or must have a home school diploma with the 17 unit core curriculum requirement established by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Students admitted as exceptions to the high school core curriculum requirement may not receive scholarships unless approved by the Scholarship Committee. 

Students who graduate from MSU early can apply unused semesters of scholarship eligibility toward an MSU graduate program. For additional information on this option and other important Missouri State scholarship policies see: General Scholarship Policies.  

* SAT score reflects the sum of the Critical Reading and Math portions of the SAT only.
** Also available to students ranked first or second in their high school graduating class after the 6th or 7th semester.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is our intent to award scholarships that show the number available as “Varies” to all qualified students who apply by the deadline; however, the University reserves the right  to limit the number of scholarships based on availability of funding.  For this reason, students are encouraged to apply for admission early.  The University also reserves the right to reduce the number of other scholarships awarded based on availability of funding.     

Presidential Scholarship

Value: $12,500 per year ($6,250 for tuition and $6,250 for on-campus housing). Total potential value over four years: $50,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees.
Number available: 30
Selection criteria:  Rank in the top10 percent of class (or have a 3.90 GPA on a 4.00 scale) at the end of the sixth semester and have an ACT of 30 (or SAT of 1330*) to apply. (Scores from ACT or SAT scores taken during or before October of the senior year will be used.)   Finalists will be selected following an interview process. Students who apply but are not chosen will receive the Board of Governors Scholarship.
Renewal criteria: Complete 30 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 3.60 cumulative Missouri State grade point average. Additionally, to renew for your fourth year, you will be required to complete an average of 40 hours of community or campus service each year during your first three years.
Application: Complete the Missouri State Presidential Scholarship Application and apply for admission by December 1.    

Board of Governors Scholarship

Value: $5,000 per year. Total potential value over four years: $20,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees.
Number available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria: Top 10 percent of class (or 3.90 GPA on a 4.00 scale) combined with a minimum ACT of 28 (or SAT of 1250*) or International Baccalaureate diploma recipient.
Renewal criteria: Complete 30 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 3.50 cumulative Missouri State grade point average. Additionally, to renew for your fourth year, you will be required to complete an average of 40 hours of community or campus service each year during your first three years.
Application: Apply for admission by January 15. Eligible students will be identified based on their admission application credentials.

Provost Scholarship

Value: $2,500 per year. Total potential value over four years: $10,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees.
Number available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria: Top 20 percent of class (or 3.70 GPA on a 4.00 scale) combined with a minimum ACT of 26 (or SAT of 1170*) or rank first or second in graduating class after the 6^th or 7^th semester.
Renewal criteria: Complete 30 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 3.40 cumulative Missouri State grade point average.
Application: Apply for admission by January 15. Eligible students will be identified based on their admission application credentials.

Deans' Scholarship

Value: $1,500 per year.  Total potential value over four years: $6,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees.
Number available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria: Top 10 percent of class (or 3.90 GPA on a 4.00 scale) combined with a minimum ACT score of 24 (or SAT of 1090*).
Renewal criteria: Complete 30 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 3.30 cumulative Missouri State grade point average.
Application: Apply for admission by January 15. Eligible students will be identified based on their admission application credentials.

Multicultural Leadership Scholarship

Value: $6,250 per year.
Number available: 50
Selection criteria: Rank in the upper one-half of their class (or 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale) at the end of the sixth semester and have demonstrated leadership in multicultural school or community activities or organizations.  An interview may be required as part of the selection process.
Renewal criteria: Complete 24 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 2.75 cumulative Missouri State grade point average. Additionally, to renew for your fourth year, you will be required to complete an average of 40 hours of community or campus service each year during your first three years. MLS recipients who graduate in four years or less, meet renewal criteria their fourth year, and begin an MSU graduate program the semester following their graduation may receive this scholarship for their first year of graduate study (unless they receive a graduate assistantship). 
Application: Complete the Missouri State Multicultural Leadership Scholarship Application and apply for admission by December 1.

Missouri State Advantage Scholarship

Value: $1,000
Number available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria: Awarded to entering freshmen who completed six or more credit hours through the Missouri State University dual credit program with a cumulative MSU grade point average of 3.00 or higher and do not already have a Missouri State scholarship valued at more than $1,000.
Renewal criteria: This scholarship is renewed for one year (i.e., for the sophomore year) for students who complete 30 credit hours at MSU during their first year with a cumulative MSU grade point average of 3.00 or higher.
Application: Apply for admission by June 1 for the fall semester. No special application is required. The scholarship will be awarded automatically to qualified students after grades are posted for their final semester of dual credit enrollment.

Out-of-State Fee Waiver/Midwest Student Exchange Program

Value: A full waiver of non-resident fees (current value is approximately $5,820 annually).
Number Available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria: Non-resident entering freshmen must demonstrate one of the following: 24 minimum ACT (SAT of 1090*) or 3.70 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or a class rank in the top 20%.
Renewal criteria: Successfully complete 30 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 3.25 cumulative Missouri State grade point average.
Application: No application is required. Eligible students will be identified based on their admission application credentials. While there is no application deadline, students are encouraged to apply early to be considered for scholarships which do have deadlines. Qualified residents of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota or Wisconsin will receive the Midwest Student Exchange Award; other qualified non-residents will receive the Out-of-State Fee Waiver.
Note: This waiver can be combined with any of the scholarships shown here that do not already provide a waiver of out-of-state fees. 

Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders Scholarship

Value: $1,250 per year or $2,500 for students with documented financial need.
Number available: 24
Selection criteria: Rank in the upper one-half of class (or have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.00 scale) at the end of the sixth semester and have a minimum ACT score of 20 (SAT of 950*). ACT or SAT scores taken during or before October of the senior year will be considered.
Renewal criteria: Complete 24 Missouri State credit hours with a 2.75 cumulative Missouri State grade point average; renewable for one year.
Application: Complete the Missouri State Centennial Leaders Scholarship Application (only available online) and apply for admission by December 1. Complete FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
Note: This award can be combined with the Provost, Deans’ and Leadership scholarships.

Missouri State Promise Scholarship

Value: Equal to the cost of full-time tuition and fees and a standard book allowance of $900 per year ($450 per semester) minus any gift aid received by the student.
Number available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria:  Awarded to Missouri residents who are entering freshmen and who have a total household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level as determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Students must enroll full-time (12 or more credit hours per semester in the fall and spring semesters).
Renewal criteria: Complete 24 or more Missouri State credit hours in the academic year with a cumulative Missouri State grade point average of 2.00 or higher and continue to meet the need requirement.
Application: Apply for admission by June 1 (for students entering in summer or fall) or by October 1 (for students entering in the spring). Submit the FAFSA by June 30 if entering in summer or fall or by October 31 if entering in the spring. No special application is required. We encourage students to submit the FAFSA online.
See more details.

Missouri State Leadership Scholarship

Value: $1,000 per year
Number Available: Southwest Missouri high schools may recommend one student for every 100 graduates.
Selection criteria: Nomination by counselor from the southwest district including schools in the following counties: Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Oregon, Ozark, Polk, Shannon, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Webster and Wright.
Renewal criteria: Complete 30 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 3.25 cumulative Missouri State grade point average.
Application: Schools submit letters of nomination to the Financial Aid Office by May 1.
Note: This scholarship can be combined with other MSU scholarships except the Presidential, Governors, and Multicultural Leadership.   

Missouri State Boys State Leadership Award

Value: $1,000
Number: 5
Selection criteria: Entering freshman must have both a solid academic record and a strong record of leadership and have participated in Missouri Boys State. 
Renewability: This award is non-renewable. 
Application: Students must apply for admission, submit the General Scholarship Application, and provide verification of Missouri Boys State attendance to the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 1 of their senior year.
Note: This scholarship can be combined with other Missouri State awards and scholarships with the exception of the Presidential, Governors and Multicultural Leadership Scholarships. 

Missouri State Girls Leadership Award

Value: $1,000
Number: 5
Selection criteria: Entering freshman must have both a solid academic record and a strong record of leadership and have participated in Missouri Girls State. 
Renewability: This award is non-renewable.
Application: Students must apply for admission, submit the General Scholarship Application, and provide verification of Missouri Girls State attendance to the Office of Student Financial Aid by March 1 of their senior year.
Note: This scholarship can be combined with other Missouri State awards and scholarships with the exception of the Presidential, Governors and Multicultural Leadership Scholarships.

Missouri State University MOST Scholarship Program

Value: $500
Number: 10
Selection criteria: Available to entering freshmen and transfer students whose families have participated in the MOST program, Missouri’s 529 College Savings Plan, with an account in the student’s name for a minimum of 5 years. Students must also demonstrate financial need. Awards will be given to the students with the greatest need.
Renewal Criteria: This award is non-renewable.
Application: Students must apply for admission, submit the General Scholarship Application by March1, and complete a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) by March 31. Students must also provide verification of participation in the MOST Program for at least five years.
Note: This scholarship can be combined with other Missouri State awards and scholarships.

Continue the Tradition Fee Waiver Program

Value: A full waiver of out-of-state fees (current value is approximately $5,820 annually).
Number Available: Varies (see above)
Selection criteria: Student must be the child or grandchild of a Missouri State graduate.
Renewal criteria: Complete 24 Missouri State credit hours each academic year with a 2.00 cumulative Missouri State grade point average.
Application: Apply for admission and submit the Continue the Tradition online application. While there is no application deadline, students are encouraged to apply early to be considered for scholarships which do have deadlines.
Note: This waiver can be combined with any of the scholarships shown here that do not already provide a waiver of out-of-state fees.