How Do I Apply for Financial Aid?

Securing your financial aid

To be considered for financial aid at Missouri State University, you must first be admitted to the University. Information about the admissions process is available online through the Office of Admissions. Once accepted, review our general information on applying for the four main types of financial aid: scholarships, grants, loans and work study.

Applying for scholarships

Application processes and deadlines vary by scholarship. We encourage you to begin searching for scholarships no later than August for the following academic year.

Missouri State University’s earliest scholarship deadline is December 1 for the following academic year. Review our Scholarships for scholarship opportunities, criteria, application information and deadline dates. Some scholarships are need-based and require a student to complete the FAFSA by the MSU priority deadline of February 1.

Applying for grants

Follow the steps below to apply for federal and state financial aid:

  1. Complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1st.

    We recommend that you complete the application at least two to three weeks before February 1 to be considered for maximum aid.
  2. Review your Student Aid Report after submitting your FAFSA and correct any errors
  3. Submit additional paperwork to the office of student financial aid if requested
  4. Access your award letter through My Missouri State, which will be available in February
  5. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for future aid

Applying for loans

Educational loans are available to degree-seeking students and to parents of dependent students. The majority of loans are awarded through the Federal Direct Loan Program, which funds low interest student loans.

To apply for a Stafford Direct Loan, follow the steps listed below:

  1. Complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1st.

    We recommend that you complete the application at least two to three weeks before February to be considered for maximum aid.
  2. Review your Student Aid Report after submitting your FAFSA and correct any errors
  3. Access your award letter through My Missouri State, which will be available in February
  4. Accept or decline your aid
  5. If you are a first time Direct Stafford Loan borrower, complete Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note
  6. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible for future aid

Review our Loans for additional loan options and information.

Work study

The Federal Work Study Program provides jobs to students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. To be considered for work study, you must complete the FAFSA by February and meet the following requirements:

  • Demonstrated financial need, which is determined from the FAFSA application
  • Have a minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Be enrolled at least half-time, which is 6 credit hours in the fall and spring, and 3 credit hours in the summer

If you do not qualify for work study, Missouri State has many part-time jobs. Review our Student Employment options for both on- and off-campus job openings. We recommend that you begin searching for jobs no later than one month before the semester begins.

Tips for success

  • Be careful of scams: Never pay money to get money.
  • Complete the FAFSA soon after it becomes available on October 1 to be considered for maximum aid each year.
  • Give yourself plenty of time to complete financial aid applications by the specified deadline dates.