Cost and Scholarships

Additional Opportunities added Friday, September 11th! Scroll to the bottom of the page to learn more about P.E.O. Continuing Education Program and Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Complete the FAFSA

FAFSA has a new experience for students and families. Completing the FAFSA remains a crucial step for securing financial aid.

Use federal school code 002503
Must be completed every aid year students plan to use federal funds to pay for college
Complete the 2027-2028 FAFSA by December 1, 2026 for priority consideration and to maximize your eligibility for grants and scholarships.
See FAFSA FAQs online.

If you have any questions, our financial aid specialists are available for assistance.

Check out this new grant available to nontraditional students

Beginning the 2019-20 academic school year, this grant addresses workforce needs and helps nontraditional students pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need.

Check out the Purdy Emerging Leaders Scholarship available to nontraditional students

This program provides merit-based scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and who have the need for additional resources for higher education.

Scholarships and Grants for the Nontraditional Student

Do you want to return to Missouri State to finish your degree but need some financial assistance? To see if you qualify, call 417-836-6929.

Return to Learn Scholarships

We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2026 Return to Learn Scholarship. The application deadline for the fall semester is Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Each fall and spring semester, the Office of Adult Student Services awards a limited number of the "Return to Learn Scholarships" for undergraduate students 25 years of age or older. This scholarship will be awarded to degree-seeking adult undergraduate students entering college for the first time or returning after an absence of three years or longer who have not previously earned a bachelor's degree. The scholarship is intended for adult students who exhibit outstanding potential for academic success at Missouri State University. The $1050 scholarship is applied to the recipient's account over two semesters if all criteria have been met.

The “Continuation Scholarship” is available for students who have successfully satisfied the requirements for the “Return to Learn Scholarship" as a way to reward them for their successes in their first two semesters of college work and as an incentive to continue to meet their educational needs. This $2050 scholarship is applied to the recipient's account over two semesters if all criteria have been met.

These scholarships may not be used for noncredit courses or in conjunction with Senior Citizen Fee Waivers.

Return to Learn Scholarship Application

Submit the online application form!

Return to Learn Scholarship Eligibility

To qualify for the first part of the two-semester scholarship, applicants must:

Be 25 years of age or older
Be enrolled in the first or second semester of his/her first college experience (excluding summer session) or be returning after an absence of three years or more (no transferable credits earned from any institution for at least 3 years)
Maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours

To qualify for the second semester of the scholarship, applicants must:

Have a 2.5 or better GPA after the first semester of his/her return to college study
Maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours
Be enrolled in his/her second consecutive semester at Missouri State University

Continuation Scholarship Eligibility

First Semester:

Must have completed and fulfilled the requirement of the “Return to Learn” scholarship
Must be enrolled in his/her third consecutive semester at Missouri State University (excluding summer session)
Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
Must maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester

Second Semester:

Must have a 3.0 or higher GPA to qualify for the second part of the two-semester scholarship
Must maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours
Must be enrolled in his/her fourth consecutive semester at Missouri State University

No additional application is required for the Continuation Scholarship. After satisfying the requirements of the Return to Learn Scholarship, continuing eligible students will be awarded by meeting the requirements stated above.

Return to Finish Scholarship

This scholarship is offered through the Adult Student Services Office. To be eligible, students need:

90+ hours of undergraduate credit
Have not previously earned an undergraduate degree
2.0 or higher GPA
Owe less than $1,000 to the University
Have been out of school for at least one year
Comply with residency requirements.

This scholarship awards $200 for students enrolled in 3-5 credit hours, and $500 for those enrolled in 6 or more credit hours. Students can receive the scholarship for more than one semester, but the maximum lifetime award amount is $500.

Return to Finish

Submit the online application form!

MSU Annual Scholarship

Missouri State University offers nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarships that provide over 1,800 awards with an average value of $1,400.

How to Apply

Students apply for the nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarships at Missouri State University using a single online application.

Students must be accepted for admission prior to applying.
Once accepted for admission, student will set up access to their personal portal called MyMissouriState.
Log into My Missouri State
Choose the Profile tab.
Find the Financial Aid channel on the Profile tab.
Choose the Annual Scholarship Application link on the Financial Aid channel.
Choose Start Application, complete the online application.

Applications are available beginning November 1st and are due March 1st.

If you have any questions about a particular scholarship, please contact the MSU Foundation at FNDScholarships@MissouriState.edu or contact the Office of Financial Aid for more details.

Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarship 2026-2027

Alpha Sigma Lambda is a nationally recognized honor society for adult learners. The Alpha Sigma Lambda Scholarship award will be made to adult students in continuing higher education based on scholarship, leadership, the clarity and content of their personal statement, strength of recommendation and need.

Funds will be disbursed to the student and made payable to the student and the university/college. Maximum award per individual will be determined each year.

For the 2026-2027 Academic year, Alpha Sigma Lambda will award:

Six (6) named scholarships of $3000
Fourteen (14) scholarships of $2500
Four (4) scholarships of $2000

Qualification Criteria

Adult students who are attending an institution that currently has an active Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter and who have achieved the following criteria:

Enrollment: Enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree program.
Residency Requirement for baccalaureate degree students: Completed 24 semester hours (36 quarter hours) of graded coursework at the member institution.
- Transfer hours, CLEP credit, assessment hours, and current coursework do not count.
Academic Performance: Minimum GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
Student does not have to be a member of the local Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter to apply
- If you’re interested in joining Alpha Sigma Lambda at Missouri State University, please visit our website for more information.

Documents and Instructions for 2026-2027 Scholarship Applications

Please read through the instructions on the application packet carefully and fully.

2026-2027 Application Packet
- Faculty recommendation form provided in application packet
Tips for Faculty Recommendations

Submit completed application packet to AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu. Faculty recommendation forms should be submitted to AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu, as well.

All application materials must be received no later than 5:00pm (central standard time) on Friday, April 10, 2026. Applications received after this time will not be submitted to the ASL Central Office for review.

Adult Student Services will review applications and the top 2 submissions will be sent to the Central Office for final consideration. Scholarship review guidelines are available within the application packet.

Students must submit their applications to the institutional chapter counselor, as only chapter counselors are authorized to send application packets after validating application materials. Missouri State’s chapter counselor is Tara Bresee in Adult Student Services.

Additional Opportunities

Use the drop menu below to view more information on these additional scholarship opportunities.

Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O) is a nonprofit organization that has helped more than 132,000* women pursue educational goals by providing approximately $490 million* in educational assistance, making a difference in women's lives through six philanthropies and a foundation.

*As of July 2026

The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) provides need-based grants to women in the United States or Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. All applicants are sponsored by a local P.E.O. chapter.

The grant can cover education related expenses such as: tuition, books and supplies, transportation (only for estimated cost of gas, parking and local bus fare, not for auto loan payments or maintenance), childcare (only while in class or studying), unforms required by the educational program, and equipment/tools necessary for the course of study.

A woman is eligible for consideration for a Program for Continuing Education grant if she:
- Is recommended by a local chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
- Is a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada
- Is enrolled in an accredited certification or degree program from an accredited institution; has not already earned a master's degree or above
- Is living and studying in the U.S. or Canada for the entire course of study
- Has had at least 24 consecutive months as a non-student sometime in her adult life
- Has begun her educational program if the course of study is more than one term
- Is within 18 consecutive months of completing her educational program
- Is enrolled in an education program which, once concluded, will lead to employment or job advancement
Learn more about eligibility requirements and application processes online.

If you are interested in the Program for Continuing Education grant but do not know a P.E.O. member, fill out the Information for Potential PCE Sponsorship form. Please complete this form in its entirety at least four months prior to the term for which you desired sponsorship for a grant. Completing this form does not guarantee recommendation for a grant and is not the PCE application.

For students in the Springfield, Missouri area, please submit this online form to be connected to the local P.E.O. chapter. Please complete this form in its entirety at least four months prior to the term for which you desired sponsorship for a grant. This form does not guarantee recommendation for a grant and is not the PCE application.
The Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation (MSLF) was created in 2010 and is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation was formed by MOHELA (Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority) to help make higher education more accessible and affordable for Missouri families. By providing scholarships and low-cost student loans, the foundation supports persistence to graduation from institutions of higher education by Missouri citizens.
- Explore programs including financial literacy, loan, and scholarships
- My Scholarship Central hosts multiple private scholarships in one place. Most scholarship applications are open January-April.
  - NEW SITE: https://myscholarshipcentral.smapply.us
  - This new site streamlines your eligibility profile so you won't be able to see scholarships for which you are not eligible. Answer every questions carefully and accurately.
As a result of Senate Bill 71, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development implemented a scholarship to assist eligible public safety personnel and their dependent children pursuing a license or certification issued by a training entity accredited or certified pursuant to 190.131 or a qualifying post-secondary degree from a Missouri public or independent college or university.

This new Public Safety and Retention Act Scholarship helps cover tuition and required fees for eligible first responders or their dependent children.

If you're a full-time law enforcement office, firefighter, EMT/paramedic, or telecommunicator with at least six years of service, or the dependent of someone who has at least 10 years of service, you could qualify.
To apply for the 2026-2027 academic year:
1. Be admitted to Missouri State University.
2. Fill out the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
3. Create an account and apply through Missouri’s State Financial Aid Portal by December 15, 2025.
4. Provide documentation of your public safety employment or service.

Smiling Missouri State student working at a computer.

Tuition, Costs and Fees

Missouri State University's philosophy is a quality education should be within the financial reach of all students.

Smiling Missouri State student in an art studio.

Net Price Calculator

Use the Net Price Calculator to get an estimate how much it will cost you to attend Missouri State. The calculator will provide information about the cost of attending our university as well as a preliminary estimate of federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility.

More information

For further information, call 417-836-6929 or email AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu.