Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program

Missouri residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a FAFSA Student Aid Index of $12,000 or less, and enroll full-time as undergraduates at a participating Missouri school. Not available for theology or divinity degrees, or to students who already hold a bachelor's degree or have completed 150 credit hours.

Access Missouri is the state's main need-based grant, built around simple, predictable, portable awards. There is no separate state application - eligibility and renewal are determined entirely from the FAFSA, which MDHEWD receives electronically. Students must be Missouri residents with a Student Aid Index of $12,000 or less and must enroll full-time at a participating Missouri institution. Award amounts are set by statute and vary by school type: $500-$1,700 per year at public two-year colleges and $1,750-$3,500 per year at public four-year schools, State Technical College of Missouri, private institutions, and approved virtual schools. Actual amounts may come in lower depending on annual appropriations, and are not finalized until August. Awards are portable between participating schools; total receipt is capped at 5 semesters at a two-year school or 10 semesters overall.

Renewal terms: Renewable by refiling the FAFSA annually. After the first award year, requires a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA and satisfactory academic progress. Capped at 5 semesters at a two-year school or 10 semesters total across any combination of schools.