Cost and Scholarships
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 2026-2027 FAFSA by December 1, 2025 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.
Return to Learn Scholarship
Are you a new student or a student returning after an absence of more than 3 years? You may be eligible for the Return to Learn Scholarship for undergraduates. Scroll down for more information!
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
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 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
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.
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 submitted online and are due March 1st.
The following scholarships are included in the MSU Annual Scholarship application. 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.
Please note that you are not limited only to the listed scholarships below. By submitting the MSU Annual Scholarship application, you are automatically applied for all MSU Foundation scholarships for which you are eligible.
Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship
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:
-
Be admitted to Missouri State University.
- Fill out the 2026-2027 FAFSA.
- Create an account and apply through Missouri’s State Financial Aid Portal by December 15, 2025.
- Provide documentation of your public safety employment or service.
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.
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.
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.
More information
For further information, call 417-836-6929 or email AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu.