Understanding state grants

Bright flight External link is the Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program that is a merit-based and encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri postsecondary schools.

Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant External link is a financial aid program for adults. The grant addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. The Fast Track grant is designed to ensure, when combined with other governmental financial aid, that tuition and fees are fully covered. Grant recipients must maintain Missouri residency and work in Missouri for three years after graduation to prevent the grant from becoming a loan that must be repaid with interest.

Eligibility requirements are listed on the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development webpage External link.

Students seeking the grant must:

• Find an approved program at Columbia College External link PDF link, complete a free application for admission, and enroll at least half-time in an approved program.
• Complete the Fast Track application, available through the State Student Financial Aid Portal External link.
• Complete the FAFSA using the myStudentAid mobile app or at FAFSA.gov External link. Columbia College’s school code is 002456.
• Complete the self-certification form for each disbursement and return to Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.

For complete program details and to learn more about this program, please visit MOFastTrack.com External link.

Access Missouri is a need-based program designed to be simple to understand, provide predictable, portable awards, and increase access to your school of choice. Your financial eligibility is determined by your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible for the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program, undergraduate students pursuing a degree^[1], must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a Missouri resident; and be enrolled full time with an EFC of $12,000 or less. The Access Missouri award may be renewed annually, for a maximum of five semesters at a 2-year school or 10 semesters at any combination of 2-year or 4-year schools, whichever occurs first. To renew, students must submit a FAFSA to have eligibility re-evaluated each year. Renewal of Access Missouri also requires students maintain satisfactory academic progress or a 2.5 GPA.

Students wanting to be considered for Access Missouri program must submit their FAFSA by February 1 of each year to meet the priority deadline and no later than April 1. Eligible students who apply between February 1 and April 1 will be awarded based on available funding. Funding will be awarded for the academic year that begins in August. Complete the FAFSA using the myStudentAid mobile app or at FAFSA.gov External link. Columbia College’s school code is 002456.

¹ Cannot be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity. Cannot have received first bachelor's degree, completed the required hours for a bachelor's degree, or completed 150 semester credit hours.