Tag: Missouri DHEWD

Earn College Credit for Free while in High School

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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?

a group of teenagers sharing class notes on the staircaseThere 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

  1. 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.
  2. Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.
  3. Select the academic year from the “Select an academic year” dropdown menu.
  4. 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.

How to Take Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment Classes for Free

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One way to get a jumpstart for college is to take a dual credit or dual enrollment class. These classes allow students to earn college credit before they have graduated high school. Students can sometimes start college with the first year of college already finished!

Student looking at camera away from computerIf you plan to take a dual credit or dual enrollment class or are already enrolled in one, you probably know you’ll need to pay for the class. That cost is more difficult to cover for some than it is for others, but Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD) can help you earn that college credit for free with the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment (DC/DE) Scholarship.

This scholarship is awarded to students that need help paying tuition and fees for dual credit or dual enrollment classes. To receive that scholarship, you need to be eligible and you need to apply. This article will help you determine if you’re eligible and what you need to do to apply. 

The deadline to apply for a fall 2022 scholarship is Dec. 1, while the deadline to apply for a spring 2023 scholarship is Feb. 1. Applications can still be submitted after Feb. 1 and before April 2, but you could miss out on getting a scholarship if other students have already been awarded the money that is available.

Am I Eligible?

First, you need to know if you are eligible for a scholarship. Let’s go over the financial requirements. If you get free or reduced lunch at school, you are eligible. Also, if your family gets money through a program from the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS), you are eligible. If you don’t know or aren’t sure, ask your parent or guardian.

Male student with laptop typing somethingIf you live in a foster home or federal subsidized public housing, are a ward of the state, or are homeless, you can qualify for this scholarship. 

Aside from the financial requirements, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or a Missouri resident, enrolled in a dual credit or dual enrollment class through an approved Missouri college or university, and have at least a 2.5 unweighted, cumulative high school GPA.

Before you start, know you’ll need to upload your high school transcript as well as document(s) that prove you are eligible. Your parent or guardian will also need to sign a release form.

How Do I Apply?

If you’ve determined you are eligible for the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship, here is how you apply for it:

  • 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 here.
  • 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.