The Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment (DC/DE) Scholarship from the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) is a great way to begin your college journey for free!
The cost to attend college discourages many students from pursuing education beyond high school. According to a report from the Art & Science Group, 40 percent of students surveyed in January and February of 2023 ruled out attending a school solely based on cost. For students surveyed in summer 2023, 52 percent said they decided to not attend a school because of cost.
However, there is a way to earn college credit to your favorite school for free before even graduating high school. The DC/DE Scholarship can jumpstart an affordable path toward a college degree.
Who is eligible for the DC/DE Scholarship?
There are financial and academic requirements to be eligible for the DC/DE Scholarship. Students who meet at least one of the following financial needs can qualify:
- Eligible for free and reduced lunches
- Live in a foster home
- Ward of the state
- Homeless
- Family receiving low-income public assistance (SNAP, WIC, etc.)
- Live in federal subsidized public housing
Other eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and Missouri resident and having a GPA of at least 2.5.
(NOTE): Also, check to see if the college you want to attend is on the list of eligible postsecondary providers.
Deadlines
The priority deadline to apply for a fall scholarship is Oct. 1, while the final deadline is Dec. 1. For a spring scholarship, the priority deadline is Feb. 1, and the final deadline is April 1. Applications can still be submitted after the priority deadlines, but you could miss out on getting a scholarship if other students have already been awarded the money that is available.
Steps to apply
- Create an account on MDHEWD’s Student Portal. The portal is a helpful tool for you to earn more money to pay for college. More information on the portal is available in the Student Portal Handout.
- Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.
- Select the academic year from the “Select an academic year” dropdown menu.
- Click the Apply link in the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship row of the table.
Visit the MDHEWD website for more information about the DC/DE Scholarship.