Financial Aid Information 

What’s New / What to Expect for 2026

• The 2026-27 FAFSA opens October 1, 2025.Journey To College 

• Missouri’s state/federal deadlines and priority windows remain very important—some state aid is first-come, first-served. Higher Ed & Workforce

• The state of Missouri uses the FAFSA to determine eligibility for many of its state grant/scholarship programs. Higher Ed & Workforce Development

Because these programs can adjust, always check the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development website or your prospective colleges for the most current information.

Missouri-Specific Financial Aid Programs & Requirements

Access Missouri Grant Program

Need-based state aid. Eligibility determined by FAFSA / SAI (formerly EFC). Higher Ed & Workforce Dev+2Higher Ed & Workforce Dev+2

To be considered, you must have your FAFSA filed by the priority deadline (early February) and no later than the final deadline (April 1) in many cases.
Access Missouri Link

A+ Program (A+ Scholarship / A+ Schools Program)

Missouri’s A+ program offers scholarship funds for students who attend designated A+ high schools, meet certain GPA/attendance criteria, and then enroll in eligible institutions (community college, vo-tech, certain private schools)

Your high school must be an A+ school, you must sign the agreement, meet GPA/attendance requirements in high school, and post-graduation conditions apply.
A+ Link

Bright Flight Scholarship

A merit scholarship for Missouri students scoring at the top percentile (via ACT/SAT) to attend approved Missouri institutions.

It must be renewed each year (maintain GPA, full-time status).
Bright Flight Link 

Institutional / University Aid in Missouri

Many Missouri universities and colleges have priority FAFSA deadlines (for need-based institutional grants or scholarships) that differ from the Missouri state deadline. For example, the University of Missouri has February 1 as its priority FAFSA deadline. 

Important Deadlines for Missouri (Class of 2026)

Here are deadlines you should mark in your calendar (for the 2026–2027 aid cycle):

October 1, 2025, 2026-27 FAFSA opens

Complete your FSA ID before the opening date of the FAFSA form (FSA ID is how the student and parent will electronically sign the FAFSA Form) 

FSA ID Link 

FAFSA Form Online 

Early February (Feb 1 or Feb 2, 2026)

Priority deadline for Missouri state grants (Access Missouri)

Missouri’s “priority” FAFSA deadline is typically February 2 for Access Missouri. 

Some colleges (like MU) also use Feb 1 as priority. 

April 1, 2026

Final deadline for many Missouri state grants/scholarships

Many state programs accept FAFSA until April 1.

June 30, 2026

Federal FAFSA deadline (for 2025–26 year)

For federal aid, FAFSA must be submitted by June 30 for that academic year. PDF Copy of the FAFSA Form

⚠️ Note: Some colleges have even earlier deadlines for institutional scholarships or “first-come” aid. Always check with each college you apply to.