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A+ History
A+ History
The A+ Scholarship Program was created as a part of the Outstanding Schools Act of 1993 as an incentive for improving Missouri's high schools. The primary goal of the A+ Scholarship Program is to ensure that all students who graduate from Missouri high schools are well prepared to pursue advanced education and/or employment.
The A+ Scholarship Program is designed to accomplish that imperative. "The A+ Scholarship Program will mobilize an intensive partnership among high schools, community colleges, students, teachers, parents, labor, businesses, and communities to give these students the motivation, skills and knowledge to graduate from high school. It will create an innovative and well-designed path from high school to high skill, high wage jobs
A+ ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A+ ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Students who complete A+ are eligible for 2-years tuition* at any MO vocational/technical school or community college. Many Missouri 4-year universities offer scholarships based on A+ criteria as well. Students must meet all eight requirements below to receive the A+ scholarship.
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident in the US
- Enter into a written agreement with your high school prior to graduation (sign a written A+ Letter of Intent agreement)
- Attend an A+ designated school for at least 3 years prior to graduation (military exemption clause - see A+ Coordinator for details)
- Graduate from an A+ designated high school with an overall GPA of 2.5 our higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12
- Perform at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring, of which up to 25% may include job shadowing prior to graduation
- Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs (students may not accumulate 10 days OSS for any reason)
- Have achieved a high score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I End-of-Course Exam or a higher level DESE approved end-of-course exam in the field of mathematics.
2019 High School seniors
2019 High School seniors
If you meet all of the eligibility requirements except the end of course exam requirement, you may establish eligibility by achieving a combined ACT math sub score and high school GPA in accordance with the following scale. You may achieve the qualifying score as a high school or post-secondary student. If you achieve the score as a post-secondary student you may be eligible for an award in the same term that you take the test.
ACT Math Score High School GPA
17 or greater and 2.5 or greater
16 and 2.8 or greater
15 and 3.0 or greater
*In addition to the above requirements, students must also complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
**All funding and requirements for the A+ Scholarship Program are contingent upon yearly renewal and appropriations by the Missouri General Assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dual credit classes covered with A+ incentive?
Are dual credit classes covered with A+ incentive?
No, student eligibility becomes effective only after high school graduation.
No, student eligibility becomes effective only after high school graduation.
How long does a student have to use A+?
How long does a student have to use A+?
The incentive funds are available for eligible students for two years (6 semesters) during the four-year period (48 months) immediately following graduation. Eligibility expires either 48 months after graduation, receipt of an associate’s degree or completion of 105% of the hours required for the program enrolled.
The incentive funds are available for eligible students for two years (6 semesters) during the four-year period (48 months) immediately following graduation. Eligibility expires either 48 months after graduation, receipt of an associate’s degree or completion of 105% of the hours required for the program enrolled.
What is covered with the A+ incentive?
What is covered with the A+ incentive?
The funds will reimburse the unpaid balance of tuition and fees for full-time students AFTER all non-loan federal financial assistance such as federal Pell Grant has applied. The tuition amount eligible for reimbursement is capped at the standard credit hour tuition rate of State Technical College of Missouri. Funds may be reduced by insufficient state appropriations. Room, board, books and program specific fees (such as professional licensing fees, clinical uniforms, dues, tools, etc.) ARE NOT covered.
The funds will reimburse the unpaid balance of tuition and fees for full-time students AFTER all non-loan federal financial assistance such as federal Pell Grant has applied. The tuition amount eligible for reimbursement is capped at the standard credit hour tuition rate of State Technical College of Missouri. Funds may be reduced by insufficient state appropriations. Room, board, books and program specific fees (such as professional licensing fees, clinical uniforms, dues, tools, etc.) ARE NOT covered.
What is required for initial post-secondary status and renewal of the A+ incentive?
What is required for initial post-secondary status and renewal of the A+ incentive?
The student must enroll and attend full-time at a participating community college or vocational/technical school, be seeking a degree or certificate (not in the areas of theology or divinity) at the school, make a good faith effort to secure all financial aid by completing a FAFSA and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school (including the school’s established grade point average requirement). The renewal student must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The student must enroll and attend full-time at a participating community college or vocational/technical school, be seeking a degree or certificate (not in the areas of theology or divinity) at the school, make a good faith effort to secure all financial aid by completing a FAFSA and maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the school (including the school’s established grade point average requirement). The renewal student must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Can a student enrolled at a non-eligible college take courses at an eligible college during the summer term only and expect A+ to cover tuition?
Can a student enrolled at a non-eligible college take courses at an eligible college during the summer term only and expect A+ to cover tuition?
No, students who enroll at a community college must be seeking a certificate or degree offered by that community college.
No, students who enroll at a community college must be seeking a certificate or degree offered by that community college.
Students who attend a community college during the summer between their senior year in high school and freshmen year in college fall under a different circumstance. Be sure to check with the community college you are enrolling with for the summer classes to check eligibility.
Students who attend a community college during the summer between their senior year in high school and freshmen year in college fall under a different circumstance. Be sure to check with the community college you are enrolling with for the summer classes to check eligibility.
MDHE (MO Department of Higher Education) A+ WEBSITE
MDHE (MO Department of Higher Education) A+ WEBSITE
For more information, visit the DESE A+ website
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