MSU announces plans for scholarships for students below poverty level

from The News Leader Springfield

Students who are at or below the poverty level will have their tuition and fees paid for through a program announced today by Missouri State University.

Beginning this fall, first-time freshmen and associate-degreed transfer students who are at or below the poverty level will receive a Missouri State Promise Scholarship.

This award will pay the difference between the cost of tuition and required fees and any grant or gift aid the student might have received, such as a Pell Grant and scholarships.

In addition, the university will provide recipients up to $800 annually for books.

What it means is that students who are at or below the poverty level will not pay a cent nor take out any loans for tuition, fees and books for their education at MSU — four years for incoming freshmen and two years for transfer students.

First-time freshmen who are Missouri residents are eligible for the scholarship, as are transfer students from Missouri community colleges who are Missouri residents and have an earned associate degree.

To qualify, students must be from families that are at or below the poverty level as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Students must meet the selective admissions requirements on the Springfield Campus and meet the financial aid priority application deadline of March 31.

Incoming freshmen will be eligible to receive the scholarship for four years, provided they continue to meet academic and financial aid requirements. Transfer students will be eligible to receive the scholarship for two years, provided they meet the academic and financial aid requirements.

Details about the program (detailed policy statement, frequently asked questions, etc.) will be on the university’s Web site by Feb. 1. The program is expected to be presented to the Board of Governors for final approval in March.