Information for Home Schooled Students
Missouri State University welcomes and encourages the enrollment of qualified homeschooled students. We recognize the commitment that homeschooled students and their families make in completing their high school education. Missouri State University counts many graduates of home school programs among its current students and alumni.
Admission
Students are recommended to apply for admission eight to twelve months in advance of the semester they plan to begin. We encourage students to use the online application available at www.missouristate.edu/apply. Paper applications are also available from the Office of Admissions and can be downloaded.
Core curriculum requirement: All students must complete the 24 unit core curriculum requirement established by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Read more about the Missouri State core requirements.
Guaranteed admission options: Students who will earn a homeschool diploma, complete the 24 unit curriculum, and be at least 17 years of age upon enrollment at Missouri State University will be guaranteed admission if they meet any of the following criteria:
- Earn a score of 24 or higher on the ACT
- Earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Qualify based on a combination of ACT scores and GPA or GED scores: Missouri State uses a selection index to weigh ACT scores against a student’s GPA or GED score. Please note that this is an option only. Homeschooled students are not required to take the GED and may pursue the options shown below if they do not qualify based on ACT scores or GPA. The University does not use class ranks earned by homeschooled students; instead GED scores are converted to a class rank equivalency based on national norms (percentiles) established by the American Council on Education. The class rank equivalency and ACT percentile are then used to determine the student’s eligibility under our published policies for freshmen.
Other admission options: Students who are not approved for admission through one of the options listed above may pursue our admissions alternatives.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Missouri State Scholarships: Homeschooled students, like traditionally schooled students, will be considered for scholarships based on a combination of ACT scores and GPA. When available, SAT and GED scores will also be considered in determining scholarship eligibility.
General scholarship policies apply to scholarships offered to homeschooled students. For example, students entering in the fall semester must apply for admission by no later than March 1 and those entering in the spring semester must apply by October 1. Students must enter Missouri State within the calendar year they receive their high school diplomas.
For information about other scholarship opportunities, visit the scholarship web page or call 800-283-4243 or 417-836-5262.
Financial aid: All admitted students may be considered for federal and state financial aid programs under guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education and the CBHE. For information on other available financial aid and how to apply, please refer to the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Honors College
Students who have an ACT composite score of 27 or higher and a 3.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale will be considered for admission to the Honors College. Following admission to the University, students meeting the above criteria will receive an invitation to the Honors College.
Visiting Campus
We encourage prospective students and their families to visit the Missouri State University campus. Please call the Office of Admissions at 417-836-5517 or toll free at 800-492-7900, or visit www.missouristate.edu/visit to schedule your visit. We request that you contact us 10 to 14 days in advance of your planned visit.
Other Information of Potential Interest to Homeschooled Students
High school dual enrollment: If you are a resident of the Springfield area, have an above average score on the ACT or SAT, and have a strong academic record, you may qualify to take one or two classes each semester during your final year in homeschool. Admission decisions will be made based on individual review. Students interested in the campus-based precollege program or a combination of the campus-based and high school-based programs should contact the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education at 417-836-4589
Missouri State Meyer Library: Homeschooled students can visit the Meyer Library and use resources, including both print and electronic, on site. Students may also purchase a “Friends of the Library” card for $25 per year. This card allows holders to check out items from the General Collection, Government Documents, and selected other collections. For more information, call the Meyer Library at 417-836-4525 or visit http://library.missouristate.edu/.
We are eager to help you become a student at Missouri State University. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance to you.
Office of Admissions
Missouri State University
901 S. National
Springfield, MO 65897
800-492-7900 or 417-836-5517
Admission, scholarship, and financial aid policies are subject to change. For this reason, it is important for students to be in contact with the Office of Admissions periodically during their high school career.