Financial Aid Resources for SOAR

On-Campus SOAR Sessions

While on the MSU campus, students and their guest have several options to seek information or ask questions about their financial aid.

• Money Matters - Staff members from the Office of Student Financial Aid will present at every SOAR day this summer with the Money Matters sessions. In these conversation, financial aid staff will discuss general financial aid topics and answer questions you may have when it comes to paying for school.
• In Person - The main financial aid office in Carrington Hall 101 is open from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Students and guests are invited to stop by to ask more detailed questions. If parents plan to visit the without the student present, please be sure your student has completed a Release of Information Authorization form (FERPA release).
• On the Phone - We have additional staff ready to assist on the phones during peak call times.

Financial aid options for new students

Missouri State offers several financial aid options to first-year students enrolling at the University. For many students, the first step to applying for financial assistance is by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The FAFSA is primarily designed to help the Federal Department of Education determine what federal student assistance programs you may qualify to receive. However, aid from non-federal sources such as the state, institution, or even private scholarship providers require a FAFSA on file to determine your financial need. Completing the FAFSA costs nothing, so we urge every student to complete one before classes begin in the fall. The FAFSA can easily be completed online in as little as 30 minutes. Complete the FAFSA Form today!

Scholarships

Missouri State offers a number of scholarship opportunities specifically for entering freshmen. Incoming students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships privately-funded through the Foundation. We recommend that you begin the scholarship application process by completing your FAFSA.

Grants

Grants are typically awarded based on financial need and do not have to be repaid by the student. Visit the grants page to see grants available to all students including incoming freshman.

Loans

A loan is a type of financial aid that is paid out to either the student or parent and must be repaid with interest. Visit the loans page to find loans available to all students including incoming freshmen.

Work Study

The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service and work that is related to the student’s course of study. More information about work study at Missouri State is available on the Student Employment website.

How much does Missouri State cost?

Your cost will depend on a number of variables you largely control such as which residence hall you select, the type of meal plan you choose, the number of course hours for which you register, and a few other things. More detailed information about Missouri State's cost can be found on our Tuition, Costs and Fees page.

To help our students and their families determine their unique cost at Missouri State, the Office of Student Financial Aid has developed an interactive What's My Cost? worksheet. This downloadable Excel spreadsheet allows our students to input their costs (e.g., hours, residence all, etc.), as well as their anticipated financial aid, to better understand what Missouri State will cost them and how their financial aid helps reduce that cost.

Download the interactive What's My Cost? Excel spreadsheet.

FERPA Release Form

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, is a law that protects the privacy of student records by requiring prior written consent before institutions may disclose identifiable information to a third party (parents, guardians, other family members, scholarship providers, etc.). Examples of protected information within the Office of Student Financial Aid includes, but is not limited to:

• Records relating to eligibility and disbursement of Federal student aid funds
• Student account
• Federal work-study payroll records
• Financial aid applications
• SARs and ISIRs
• Documentation of professional judgment decisions
• Documentation relating to a refusal to certify Federal education loans
• Financial aid history information (for transfer students)
• Cost of attendance information, including documentation relating to any adjustments
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) documentation
• Documents used for verification
• Entrance and exit counseling records
• Financial records

Students may provide the Office of Student Financial Aid with prior written consent to share and discuss this information with designated individuals (such as parents, guardians, other family members, etc.) by submitting a FERPA Release of Information Authorization form.

Scholarships at MSU

Scholarships are awarded each year to students who demonstrate qualities such as, but not limited to, outstanding academic achievement, leadership involvement and financial need. The funds come from multiple sources and do not have to be repaid.

Institutionally Funded Scholarships

A variety of scholarships are offered through Missouri State University. Recipients of Institutionally Funded Scholarships are required to submit a loan acceptance form in order to receive the funds. It is important to carefully read the scholarship renewal requirements published on the web and printed on the scholarship acceptance form.

Donor Funded Scholarships

Privately donated funds are given each year to Missouri State students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need. The funds come from private gifts to the University by individuals, groups or companies and are generally awarded by early June.

Outside Scholarships

Many organizations outside the University award scholarships each year. It is important than any student receiving outside scholarship funds report them to the Office of Student Financial Aid for inclusion in your financial aid offer. Many outside organizations mail scholarship checks directly to MSU, or require the institution to endorse the check. This is done in the financial aid office in Carrington 101 or at other published locations.