Scholarships for Freshmen

MSU institutionally funded scholarships

These scholarships are funded by MSU. See below for scholarship criteria, application information and deadlines.

Op5.08-10 Scholarships for Entering Freshmen

This policy applies to students admitted beginning summer 2023 through spring 2024. Students admitted for previous semesters should visit the How Do I Keep My Financial Aid page.

To qualify for these scholarships, students must meet the specific criteria and also meet General Scholarship Policies.

Unless otherwise noted, the scholarships below cannot be combined. All university scholarships can be combined with externally-funded scholarships (e.g., Bright Flight, MSU donor-funded scholarships, and outside scholarships).

Automatic scholarships

Scholarships shown below are automatically awarded to qualified students who apply for admission by February 1 of their senior year. Students who apply after February 1 may be considered on an individual basis if funding is available.

Combined GPA and standardized test score scholarships

Eligibility for the Board of Governors, Provost and Deans scholarships is based on and admitted students' high school GPA and ACT or SAT scores upon admission. Missouri State will use the higher of a student's composite or superscore ACT or SAT to determine their eligibility. If a student's GPA (after the sixth, seventh or eighth semester) or test score (earned through April* test date) improves, their scholarship will be upgraded. See chart below for criteria and values for automatic GPA and standard test score scholarships.

GPA-only scholarships

Eligibility for the Academic Excellence, Distinction and Achievement scholarships is based on admitted students' high school GPA upon admission. If a student's GPA improves (based on the sixth, seventh or eighth semester), or they earn an ACT or SAT score that qualifies them for a Combined GPA and Standardized Test Score Scholarship (through the April test date), their scholarship will be upgraded. See list below for criteria and values for automatic GPA-only scholarships.

Criteria and values

[1] Board of Governors Scholarship recipients qualify for admission to the Honors College and have access to a $1,000 education-abroad voucher. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees. International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-related Program completers will be awarded the Board of Governors Scholarship regardless of test scores. This scholarship is renewable for three additional years.

[2] Provost Scholarship recipients have access to a $1,000 education-abroad voucher. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees. Students who are (a) ranked first or second in their class or (b) in the top 10 percent of their class and have an ACT of 26 or higher (SAT 1230) by April* will receive the Provost Scholarship. This scholarship is renewable for three additional years.

[3] Deans Scholarship recipients have access to a $1,000 education-abroad voucher. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of non-resident fees. This scholarship is renewable for three additional years.

Criteria and values for automatic GPA-only scholarships

Name	Value Per Year	Selection Criteria	Deadline and Application	Can be combined with
Academic Excellence	$2,000 per year. Renewable for total of four years.	High School GPA of 3.9 or higher	Apply for admission by February 1	Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders, A+ Recognition and Missouri State Advantage scholarships.
Academic Distinction	$1,500 per year. Renewable for total of four years.	High School GPA of 3.8 to 3.89	Apply for admission by February 1	Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders, A+ Recognition and Missouri State Advantage scholarships.
Academic Achievement	$1,000 per year. Renewable for total of four years.	High School GPA of 3.7 to 3.79	Apply for admission by February 1	Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders, A+ Recognition and Missouri State Advantage scholarships.

Criteria and values for competitive scholarships

Name	Value per year	Selection criteria	Deadline and application	Can be combined with
Presidential Scholarship	$15,000 per year ($7,000 for tuition and $8,000 for on-campus housing). Total potential value over four years is $60,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of nonresident fees for fall and spring semesters.	31 ACT or 1390 SAT and 3.90 cumulative GPA at 6th semester. Qualifying test scores must be earned on tests taken during or before October of the student's senior year, and we will use the higher of their composite score or superscore.	Complete the Presidential Scholarship Application and apply for admission by Dec. 1 of the student's senior year.	This scholarship cannot be combined.
Inclusive Excellence Scholarship	$4,000 per year, plus $1,000 per year for on-campus housing. Recipients will also have access to a $1,000 education-abroad voucher. Total potential value over four years is $21,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of nonresident fees for fall and spring semesters.	To be considered for this scholarship, the student must be committed to fostering an ethical, connected, and collaborative community, as embodied in Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Mission. Additionally, students must meet one or more of the following criteria: Have an interest in and/or commitment to working with diverse individuals and/or groups (e.g., age, disability status, socioeconomic class, veteran status, nationality, race, ethnicity, sex, indigenous-status, LGBTQIA+ status, ESL speakers, and/or religion) to promote principles of equity and inclusion; Be from a low-income background (e.g., receive benefits from programs such as Free or Reduced Lunch, WIC, SNAP, TANF); or Be a first-generation college student (i.e., neither of your parent(s)/guardian(s) has a bachelor's degree). The student's academic performance and their record of school and community service will also be considered.	Complete the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Application and apply for admission by February 1. The student must have submitted required transcripts and test scores and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by that date.	A+ Recognition Scholarship.
Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders Scholarship	$2,500 per year ($1,000 for students who are also receiving either the Provost, Deans, Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, or Academic Achievement Scholarship). Total potential value over four years is $10,000 ($4,000 for recipients of the above listed scholarships).	To be considered, the student must demonstrate that they have excelled in three of the following four areas: leadership, performing arts, volunteerism and athletics. They must also have a class rank in the top 50% (or have a 3.00 cumulative GPA at 6th semester) and have a 20 ACT or 1030 SAT. Qualifying scores must be earned on tests taken during or before December of their senior year, and we will use the higher of their composite score or superscore.	Complete the Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders Scholarship Application, apply for admission and submit required transcripts and test scores by February 1.	This scholarship can be combined with the Provost, Deans, A+ Recognition, Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, Academic Achievement, Missouri State Advantage and Boys/Girls State scholarships.

Name

Value per year

Selection criteria

Deadline and application

Can be combined with

Presidential Scholarship

$15,000 per year ($7,000 for tuition and $8,000 for on-campus housing). Total potential value over four years is $60,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of nonresident fees for fall and spring semesters.

31 ACT or 1390 SAT and 3.90 cumulative GPA at 6th semester.
Qualifying test scores must be earned on tests taken during or before October of the student's senior year, and we will use the higher of their composite score or superscore.

Complete the Presidential Scholarship Application and apply for admission by Dec. 1 of the student's senior year.

This scholarship cannot be combined.

Inclusive Excellence Scholarship

$4,000 per year, plus $1,000 per year for on-campus housing. Recipients will also have access to a $1,000 education-abroad voucher. Total potential value over four years is $21,000. Non-Missouri residents will also receive a full waiver of nonresident fees for fall and spring semesters.

To be considered for this scholarship, the student must be committed to fostering an ethical, connected, and collaborative community, as embodied in Missouri State University’s Public Affairs Mission. Additionally, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

Have an interest in and/or commitment to working with diverse individuals and/or groups (e.g., age, disability status, socioeconomic class, veteran status, nationality, race, ethnicity, sex, indigenous-status, LGBTQIA+ status, ESL speakers, and/or religion) to promote principles of equity and inclusion;
Be from a low-income background (e.g., receive benefits from programs such as Free or Reduced Lunch, WIC, SNAP, TANF); or
Be a first-generation college student (i.e., neither of your parent(s)/guardian(s) has a bachelor's degree).

The student's academic performance and their record of school and community service will also be considered.

Complete the Inclusive Excellence Scholarship Application and apply for admission by February 1. The student must have submitted required transcripts and test scores and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by that date.

A+ Recognition Scholarship.

Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders Scholarship

$2,500 per year ($1,000 for students who are also receiving either the Provost, Deans, Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, or Academic Achievement Scholarship). Total potential value over four years is $10,000 ($4,000 for recipients of the above listed scholarships).

To be considered, the student must demonstrate that they have excelled in three of the following four areas: leadership, performing arts, volunteerism and athletics. They must also have a class rank in the top 50% (or have a 3.00 cumulative GPA at 6th semester) and have a 20 ACT or 1030 SAT. Qualifying scores must be earned on tests taken during or before December of their senior year, and we will use the higher of their composite score or superscore.

Complete the Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders Scholarship Application, apply for admission and submit required transcripts and test scores by February 1.

This scholarship can be combined with the Provost, Deans, A+ Recognition, Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, Academic Achievement, Missouri State Advantage and Boys/Girls State scholarships.

Criteria and values for other scholarships

Name	Value per year	Selection criteria	Deadline and application	Can be combined with
Missouri State Advantage Scholarship	$1,000 Renewable for 3 additional years.	Complete 9 or more hours through the Missouri State dual credit program with a 3.25 or higher GPA.	Apply for admission by June 1. No scholarship application required.	Provost, Deans, Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders, Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, Academic Achievement, A+ Recognition Scholarship and Missouri Boys/Girls State scholarships.
A+ Recognition Scholarship	$500 Renewable for 3 additional years.	To be considered for this scholarship, the student must be a Missouri resident with A+ certification.	Apply for admission and submit the A+ Recognition Scholarship Application by June 1.	Board of Governors, Provost, Deans, Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders, Missouri State Advantage, Missouri State Promise, Academic Excellence, Academic Distinction, Academic Achievement, and Missouri Boys/Girls State scholarships.
Missouri State Promise Scholarship	$2,000 Renewable for 3 additional years.	Missouri residents with $12,000 or less EFC and a qualifying academic record who are not receiving another MSU scholarship.	Apply for admission and submit FAFSA by February 1.	A+ Recognition Scholarship.
Missouri Boys State and Girls State Leadership Award	$1,000 Not renewable.	Leadership experience and academic record. 5 Boys State and 5 Girls State will be awarded annually.	Apply for admission and submit the Boys State/Girls State Leadership Award application by March 1.	Provost, Deans, Hutchens/SGA Centennial Leaders, A+ Recognition and Missouri State Advantage scholarships.
MoState Access Award	Varies per student. Renewable for 3 additional years (8 semesters total)	Incoming freshman or new transfer student, Missouri Resident, Title IV eligible, Receiving Federal Pell Grant, Pursuing an undergraduate degree, and Enrolled full-time.	Apply for admission and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1.	All other institutional scholarships. MoState Access value will be determined after other awards received.

Criteria and values for out-of-state waivers

Name	Value per year	Selection criteria	Deadline and application	Can be combined with
Out-of-State Tuition Waiver	Full waiver of out-of-state tuition. Renewable for 3 additional years.	24 ACT or 1160 (the higher of the student's composite or superscore) SAT or GPA of 3.25 or higher or Top 50% of class*	Awarded based on application for admission.	This waiver can be combined with any scholarship that doesn't already offer an out-of-state fee waiver.
Continue the Tradition Out-of-State Tuition Waiver	Full waiver of out-of-state tuition. Renewable for 3 additional years.	Child or grandchild of Missouri State graduate	Apply for admission and submit the Continue the Tradition Application.	This waiver can be combined with any scholarship that doesn't already offer an out-of-state fee waiver.

*Criteria must be met prior to enrollment. ↵

MSU donor-funded scholarships

Through private gifts to the Missouri State University Foundation by individuals, groups, or companies, scholarships are awarded annually to students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership and/or financial need. Most donor-funded scholarships are awarded to students who have completed one or more years at Missouri State. A limited number are available to entering students. Most have specific criteria (e.g., specific majors or graduation from a specific high school), and their average value is approximately $1,000. To be considered for these scholarships, students must be admitted to the University and complete the online MSU Annual Scholarship Application by March 1.

General scholarship policies

The university offers a range of institutionally-funded scholarships to entering first-time students. To qualify for these scholarships, students must meet the specific criteria and also:

Graduate from a high school accredited by a state education agency or a regional accrediting association recognized by the United States Department of Education. Homeschooled students should refer to Information for Homeschooled Students.
To be considered for automatic scholarships, applicants must be admitted and enroll full-time at the Springfield campus within 2 years of graduation from high school (refer to Admissions Requirements and Deadlines for admissions eligibility criteria).
To qualify for competitive scholarships, applicants must be admitted and enroll full-time at the Springfield campus the year they graduate from high school.
Students who transfer to Missouri State University Springfield campus from another college or university in the United States with fewer than 24 transferable credit hours may be considered for institutionally funded automatic freshmen scholarships on an individual basis if funding is available. Students will be evaluated based on their high school eligibility criteria outlined previously in this policy for Combined GPA and standardized test score scholarships and GPA-only scholarships.
Be lawfully present in the United States.

Grade point average (GPA) requirements are based on a 4.00 scale rounded to the nearest 0.01. If the student's school does not use a 4.00 scale, their GPA will be converted (see details). If the student's school provides a weighted GPA, it will be used to determine scholarship eligibility.

ACT or SAT scores must be taken by the test dates indicated. The student's highest composite or superscore will be used. SAT scores are based on the sum of the Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math portions.

For additional information regarding scholarships, including enrollment standards and renewal guidelines, see Scholarship Enrollment and Renewal Standards.

The university reserves the right to limit scholarship offers based on availability of funds.