What is the FAFSA?

To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.

In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.

https://studentaid.gov/help/fafsa

https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa (online link for the FAFSA document)

College Deadlines for the FAFSA

Each college may have its own deadline. Check with the college(s) you’re interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline. Is it the date your FAFSA form is processed or the date the college receives your processed FAFSA data?

The FAFSA for the 2023-2024 School Year will be available on October 1, 2022.

Critical Need or Shortage in the Labor Market

Recent legislation, section 167.902 RSMo, requires that the department of economic development shall annually identify occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor markets in this state and provide such information to the state board of education.

The educational materials and data derived from the state board of education's collaboration with the department of economic development under subsection 1 of this section shall be distributed by the board to each high school in this state for the purpose of emphasizing areas of critical workforce needs and shortages in the labor markets in this state to high school students to support such students' career pathway decisions.

****Added to site on October 27, 2022******

High‐Demand Occupations for the FY2024

The following link will direct you to the High-Demand Occupations List for the state of Missouri. High-Demand Occupations Link. The document will display occupations identified by using the Long Term Occupational Projections 2020‐2030 for Missouri.

The Long-term Projections (Statewide‐MO All Occupations) information was used to determine the high‐demand

occupations list. Occupations that are highlighted are new to the high‐demand occupations list in FY 2024. All

other occupations will remain on the FY 2024 high‐demand occupations list

The data was extracted from the MERIC website.

https://meric.mo.gov/workforce‐research/occupational‐projections.

***The following link will display information on occupational projections and summaries as of JUNE 25, 2022.***

The following links will provide information on short and long-term labor market needs.

1 High Demand Occupations for individuals with at least a high school education and less than a bachelor’s degree.

https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/fy-2023-enhancement-grant-administrative-planning-guide

2. Information on how to obtain industry-recognized certificates and credentials

https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/cnsl-legislation-1606-missouri-public-school-career-center-map

3. Information on how to obtain a license and the requirements for a license when licensure is required for an occupation

https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/cte-irc-tsa-guidance

https://pr.mo.gov/listings.asp

4. Access to assessments and interest inventories that provide insight into the types of careers that would be suitable for students

5. Resources that describe the types of skills and occupations most in-demand in the current job market and those skills and occupations likely to be in high demand in future years

6. Resources that describe the typical salaries for occupations and salary trends

7. Information on how to obtain financial assistance for postsecondary education

8. Information on how to choose a college, school, or apprenticeship that aligns with the student's career goals and values

9. Information on self-employment

10. Resources related to creating a resume, interviewing, networking, and finding job opportunities

11. Information on the skills and traits necessary to succeed in various careers

https://portal.missouriconnections.org/

Additional Resources:

https://meric.mo.gov/workforce-research

https://meric.mo.gov/industry-research

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