missouri higher education – Journey To College

Why It’s Not Too Late to Apply for Grants

Posted on April 30, 2024September 17, 2024

As the 2023-24 school year wraps up, you may feel the promise of a relaxing summer and assume there is nothing left to do. However, you should know that changes and delays to this year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) mean that deadlines for many essential grants have been pushed back, and you still have time to apply.

What are grants and how do they differ from scholarships?

Scholarships and Grants are both ways to get additional financial aid for school. Unlike student loans, they do not need to be repaid.

Grants are based on a person’s financial need, which is why it is essential to fill out your FAFSA to be considered for grant funds. Grants available to Missouri students include Access Missouri and the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant.

Scholarships are based on merit. For example, students who perform well on the ACT qualify for the Bright Flight Program. There are many scholarships available on a local, state, and national scale. All of these scholarships have their deadlines, so make sure you check in and see if there are any still available to apply for.

What are priority deadlines?

Priority deadlines for grants are meant to guarantee funding to those who apply early. While this may seem make-or-break to some, there is a final deadline that gives students more time to apply.

This year, the final deadline for Access Missouri is June 1, 2024. If you are eligible, you can still receive grant money. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) has been able to fully fund every applicant based on their maximum Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Award for the past three years. Based on funding available and FAFSA filing rates, that appears to be the case for everyone who applies for the Access Missouri Grant before the 2024-25 deadline as well.

How can I determine if I’m eligible and apply?

The eligibility requirements can be found on the MDHEWD website. The Student Portal is also an essential tool for arranging your information for grants from the state of Missouri.

The MDHEWD Student Portal provides you with information on how to plan and pay for college. This includes all information relating to your eligibility for MDHEWD’s student financial aid programs including Access Missouri, Bright Flight, and Fast Track. You can even directly apply to the state financial aid programs listed in the previous sentence as well as several others.

The Student Workspace is also accessible through the Student Portal. There, you can save information related to planning and paying for college, as well as finishing a degree or certificate.

With warmer weather and summer fun coming quickly, it will be a relief to get all of your financial aid sorted beforehand. So sit back and relax knowing that you have used all the tools in your power to make sure next school year is as cool as ice cream.

4 Reasons to File Your FAFSA

Posted on March 6, 2024

Graduation is on the horizon, and opportunities for continued education are only steps away! Now that the 2024-25 FAFSA is available online for students and families to complete, let’s go over the reasons why you should file now.

It’s FREE

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Student Aid. It’s the way that the Department of Education determines your ability to receive federal student aid. To receive this, you MUST file your FAFSA!

It’s Quick

You can file online, and it won’t take long. Go over the 2024-25 FAFSA Checklist to ensure you have all information you need. A small time investment for your future could have a big potential payoff!

It’s Financial Comfort

Tuition and fees can be overwhelming. By filing a FAFSA you will have a better understand of the actual cost. It is also the first step to qualify for many scholarship, grants, work-study, and student loans. The information you provide on your FAFSA helps determine the types and amounts of financial aid you may be eligible for. The FAFSA gives you access to four primary sources of financial aid, including:

1. Federal financial aid
2. State financial aid
3. Aid from colleges, universities, and other postsecondary schools
4. Some private scholarships and grants

If you file by April 1, you will be considered for the Access Missouri Grant program and will be guaranteed an award if you qualify.

It’s Made for YOU!

There is no downside to filing and the only way to know if you are eligible is to APPLY! Take control of your future. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Check out our previous blogs about the new FAFSA, preparing for college and important things to know as you prepare for the 2024-25 school year.

5 Ways to Maximize your College Visit

Posted on February 17, 2022

Visiting a college campus can be a major deciding factor when choosing where you want to go to school. Each place is unique and finding out what you like about the environment is important. But don’t stress too much about it, we’ve got you covered! Here are five things to consider before, during, and after visiting a college campus.

1. Choose the way you'll visit

There are many ways to tour a college campus. You can set up your own private tour, go on a class trip with your school, attend a large themed visit day, even just show up and walk around by yourself! The key is to determine what is right for you. If you have a general interest but do not know much about the school, consider going on a trip with your school where you get a basic tour of campus and breakdown of what they offer. If you or your parents have questions about a school, then a private solo visit might be right for you. If you want to see what the campus atmosphere will be like at its best, a weekend visit or time when the school is celebrating homecoming or other events may be a perfect choice.

Wanting to attend a school that’s pretty far away but cannot make it in person? Try checking out a school via a virtual tour. Virtual tours can take you through various buildings on campus while providing information about different degree programs offered. A virtual tour can help you decide if you’re really interested, and then it may be beneficial to schedule an in-person tour just to be sure.

2. Consider meeting Faculty

Getting the best education possible is the true purpose of attending college, so you should find out if you can learn there. A good way to do this is to meet some of the professors. When taking a personal visit, many schools will reach out to faculty who are available at the time of your trip to give information about their degree program.

This includes going over possible courses, chances for internships, and mapping out your schedule early on. If you request it, you can even sit in on a lecture. This is an excellent way to understand what it will be like to go to a college or university, and is something that everyone should try before making a decision.

3. Bring your parents

College is a big journey for your parents just like it is for you. They will be just as excited and probably have worries similar to yours. It is important to have them involved in the process. While you focus on what it is like to attend the school, your parents will be interested in finding out if it is feasible to attend. College visits spend a portion of their time focusing on the cost and financial aid available to all students and depending on when you visit (ex. Your senior year after filing the FAFSA) you can meet with the financial aid office and discuss what scholarships or aid is available to you.

4. Eat the food

As a freshman, you will spend most of your time eating in a dining hall. The sooner you try the food, the better. If you have certain dietary restrictions, finding out what options are available to you is important. Most campus dining halls have vegetarian/vegan options readily available, as well as gluten-free alternatives.

If the dining hall is unavailable, then consider other options in the campus student union. This area will likely include more popular restaurant options with the convenience of staying on campus. If neither of those options are appetizing, this is a great chance to explore the area and try local restaurants! Talk to your tour guide to get suggestions about the options around town.

5. Ask for free stuff!

Colleges have budgets dedicated to promotion and advertising. Do not feel bashful in asking if they have anything to offer you on your visit. This could be a free shirt or pennant, a discount to the school store, free food in the dining hall, or waiving your application fee if you apply that day. They want you to enjoy your day just as much as you do, so don’t be afraid to see what they can offer.

A college visit will be the best indicator of whether or not that school is right for you. The more prepared you are, the easier it is to decide that big question: do I want to go here? Even if the answer is no, you gain valuable information that you can take to the next college until you find your best fit.

Five reasons to choose a Missouri College

Posted on December 16, 2021August 21, 2024

1. Missouri schools rank among the best for affordability, student satisfaction, and quality of education.

College Choice ranks Washington University in St. Louis as No.17 in the nation for having the happiest freshmen. U.S. News and World Report lists Missouri Southern State University No.6 in top public schools in the Midwest, with Lincoln University in Jefferson City and Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis tying for seventh. State Technical College of Missouri, in Linn, was named the third-ranked two-year trade school in the country by Forbes.

Not only are Missouri education options top-notch, they’re affordable too. Missouri State University in Springfield is listed as number two, overall in the state for affordability and the number one public university for affordability in the state. Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau is listed as the No.3 school for affordability and No.62 by US News and World Report for value in the Midwest and No.16 in Top Public Schools. Couple the affordability of most Missouri educational institutions and all of the other advantages to living, learning, and working in Missouri, and you can’t go wrong.

2. Missouri is a fun place to live!

No matter what part of the state or college you choose, there is fun to be had close by. Missouri was actually chosen as the fourteenth most fun state in America by Wallet Hub thanks to a recent study. The organization compared states using 26 different metrics and Missouri landed as No.14. Missouri scored fifth in the nation for having the “highest variety of arts, entertainment, and recreation establishments.”

With Lake of the Ozarks in the central region of the state, Kansas City on the west side, St. Louis on the east side, Branson in the southern Region, and everywhere else over, under, and in-between, residents can find many different types of fun and entertainment. You can find waterskiing, parasailing, amusement parks, water parks, theatres, movies, wine tasting, breweries, caves, casinos, hiking, hunting, fishing, festivals, fairs, museums, bars, restaurants, zoos, and unique things to do all over Missouri.

3. Missouri currently has the 12th lowest cost of living in the nation

Cost of living is an important factor when considering where you should live, learn, and work. Missouri scores nearly 10 points below the national average overall. Groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and health care costs less here, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. The housing cost index in Missouri scores 82.1, just over 18 points below the national average.

To compare, take a look at Illinois’ largest city, Chicago, and Missouri’s largest city, St. Louis. The median cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago is $1,550, according to renthop.com. Renthop.com says that the median cost of rent in St. Louis for the same apartment is $650. And what can you get for the same money in St. Louis that you would pay for that one-bedroom apartment in Chicago? The answer is at least a two-bedroom and likely larger because the top 25 percent of the market, in St. Louis, for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,100 ($400 less than the median market price for the one-bedroom in Chicago). So if you want to live off campus, Missouri is definitely affordable.

4. Missouri offers lifestyle and living options for everyone!

Missouri offers lifestyle and living options for everyone from the city lover to the quiet country enthusiast. For those looking to begin learning or working in the big city, St. Louis and Kansas City both offer great learning opportunities between colleges and technical schools. Living in these two big cities is extremely affordable as well.

If you’re interested in urban living but for a more mid-sized city situation, St. Joseph, Springfield, Columbia, Jefferson City, or Joplin might be just what you’re looking for. Great colleges can be found in all five of the places mentioned and all are affordable options for living, learning, and working.

There are even rural options and small-town living for those who are interested in the beautiful views and outdoor lifestyles available in rural Missouri – check out communities surrounding Rolla, home to Missouri S&T, or Cape Girardeau, home to Southeast Missouri State University.

5. Missouri's star is on the economic rise.

Missouri is moving through the ranks from 42 in job growth to 22 in the last five years. The future is looking bright and only keeps getting brighter. Two Missouri cities have been named in the top three cities in the nation for recent college graduates.

St. Louis has been ranked No.2 in the nation for recent college graduates, promising a median income of around $48,000 per year, according to a report from Self Financial. The median income is even higher when cost of living is considered because St. Louis has a cost of living nearly 10 percent below the national average. Taking the cost of living into account, the median earnings of recent college graduates is $53,274 in St. Louis. This is just an average and is dependent upon factors such as career field and type of degree.

Kansas City, Missouri, came in at No.3 on that list of best cities for recent college graduates. KC boasts actual median earnings of $49,000 per year, with an adjusted salary of $52,802, thanks to a cost of living that sits at 7.2 percent below the national average. Both cities have plenty to offer college students as they work towards their chosen degrees, knowing that the post-graduation future is looking pretty bright.

This information is accurate as of December 16, 2021.

7 Reasons You Should Live, Learn, and Work in Missouri

Posted on December 15, 2021August 21, 2024

1. Companies are hiring

Three companies on Forbes 100 Best Places to Work list – Veterans United, Jones Financial (Edward Jones), and World Wide Technology – are headquartered here in Missouri. Each company employs large numbers of people and reported hundreds of job openings company wide as of March of 2021. Jones Financial reported 910 job openings, Veterans United Home Loans reported 558 openings, and World Wide Technology reported 268 job openings.

According to an October 2021 report from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), there were around 67,700 job postings in Missouri with companies hoping to hire people. If you’re looking for a new job or career change, Missouri is a good place to start.

2. Great for remote work

Missouri is centrally located in the country, making working with both the east and west coasts convenient for remote workers or just those who need to be centrally located for travel. Additionally, high speed internet and better broadband access in rural areas has been made a priority by Gov. Mike Parson. In 2021, $400 million was budgeted to help with broadband access.

3. Affordability

Missouri allows you to live in one of the most affordable states in the U.S. Missouri ranks the 12th lowest in the U.S. for cost of living (MERIC) and the 12th cheapest state to buy a house (learn.roofstock.com). To do a little comparison, let’s look at the cost of buying a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline. According to AAA, in Missouri, as of December 2021, the average cost of a gallon of gas is $2.95 while the cost in Illinois, Missouri’s neighbor, is $3.44.

4. Fun and romance

Missouri is the 10th best place to be single. We rank 12th for dating opportunities, 12th for dating economics, and 16th for romance and fun, according to wallethub.com.

If you live and work in Missouri, there are plenty of opportunities for romance as well as places to take your romantic partner on a date. Check out 8 Places to go on a Date Night in Missouri or just go to Visit MO’s Things to Do page.

5. A Land of Opportunity

Missouri ranks No.4 in the nation in opportunity for its citizens, according to USnews.com. Missouri is a great place to start or own a business, boasting a rank of 11 in the country. Missouri’s businesses weathered the pandemic better than most and the state was ranked third in the nation for pandemic proof small businesses.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of Missouri’s business-friendly atmosphere, the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office has step-by-step instructions for starting a business in Missouri.

6. Striving for Equity

Missouri ranks No.9 in the nation for equality. According to USnews.com, “the ratio of men to women in the labor force, as well as gaps between their median incomes, as well as the difference in unemployment between people with disabilities and those without, and gaps in educational achievement, income and employment between non-Hispanic whites and other racial groups” are measured to determine this. Missouri ranked 6th in the nation for equity in the income gap by race on this same list.

7. Family Friendly

Missouri is a great place to raise a family. Wallet Hub says Missouri comes in third in the nation for low cost child care, surpassed only by Mississippi and South Dakota. All 10 of Niche.com’s top 10 places to raise a family in Missouri are suburbs of St. Louis, with highly rated school systems, bright job prospects, and lower costs of living. However, St. Louis isn’t the only great place to raise a family and if you prefer the country or small-town life, there’s plenty of that too.

This information is accurate as of December 16, 2021.

Find your Best Fit in Missouri

Posted on December 15, 2021August 21, 2024

Missouri is home to over 65 colleges and universities that each offer their own unique culture and opportunities. So whether you’re looking for a change of scenery or to stay close to home, there are plenty of options to choose from. Degree program, size, location, distance from home, sports, culture, and student resources are all important things to consider while trying to find the best fit. We’ve highlighted several of these characteristics for you to consider below and a corresponding Missouri school to consider.

Big City vs. Small Town

Do you want to be in the heart of it all or in a small community with a lot of heart?

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is nestled just south of the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City – a well-known area for shopping, events, and art. Kansas City is packed with unique and vibrant neighborhoods and offers pro-sporting events, live concerts, and some of the best BBQ in the country. But if you’re looking to slow it down, consider Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) in Cape Girardeau. This small, historical river community is known for being friendly and having a great downtown area of its own. You can see a show at the annual Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, or explore the Mississippi River at Cape Rock Park. Also, with St. Louis and Memphis being nearby, there’s always the opportunity to change it up, visit the big city, but come home to a small town.

Big School vs. Small School

Do you want to get to know all of your peers or do you want to see new faces every day?

Going to a school with a large student population versus a small student population can make a big difference. Missouri State University is one of the state’s largest schools with over 26,000 students. If you’re looking for a fresh start and to make a lot of new friends – this could be the school for you. A larger student population can also offer many benefits including more activities and organizations, more networking and potentially more diversity. However, if you’d rather spend the next several years making lifelong connections, a smaller school like College of the Ozarks is a great option. With a population of under 1,500 – you can expect small class sizes and a tight-knit community.

Two-Year vs. Four-Year vs. Technical School

What degree are you looking for? How much time and money are you prepared to invest?

The type of school you attend can make a big difference in your college experience, especially in the classroom and in your bank account. Two-year institutions offer certificates and associate degrees, and many students choose these schools to save money in the long run. State Fair Community College in Sedalia is a great example because it offers a wide range of two-year programs while also being one of the most affordable in Missouri. A four-year university offers bachelor’s degrees, which provide both a well-rounded education outside your major and an in-depth coursework in your chosen field. Truman State University in Kirksville is a great option because it offers a variety of excellent programs and top professors while being the number one best value school in the region. Technical schools can be a different experience altogether, offering certificates and associate degrees while giving students affordable hands-on learning and career guidance. State Technical College of Missouri in Linn offers small class sizes, unique career options, and a job placement rate of 99 percent.

There’s plenty to consider when deciding what will fit you best after high school. Missouri offers a lot of options. If you are considering multiple options and you’d like to compare them side-by-side, use the printable Best Fit Worksheet or the College and Degree Search compare option. No matter what you decide, you’ll make it the best fit for you.

5 Reasons to Apply to Multiple Schools

Posted on November 23, 2021July 21, 2022

Going into my senior year, I had everything mapped out. I visited Truman State University and immediately fell in love with the campus and atmosphere. There was no other place that I wanted to go. Later that spring I found out about William & Mary in Virginia, the school Thomas Jefferson went to. It was a school that seemed so perfect there was no need for a back-up plan. I only submitted one application because there was only one school I felt I should go to. Problem is, William & Mary did not agree and I got the rejection letter in the middle of April without time to apply to a different school.

Nearly 37 percent of all college students will transfer schools at some point in their educational journey. That was the case for me when I eventually made my way to my first dream school, Truman State, after spending two years at a local college. Millions of students across the country feel the same as I did, lacking other options when their main plans did not work out. As a student who went through this struggle and as a former college advisor, I’ve learned that one of the biggest keys to academic success is feeling some investment in your school, which is why most students only apply to their top choice.

Today I want to talk about five reasons you should apply to multiple schools. Hopefully, this will help you as well!

1. Circumstances change.

A lot can happen during the course of your senior year. Your relationships will change, you’ll gain new interests, etc. I was someone looking for a small school with a rigorous academic focus but chose to go to a school close to home instead. Likewise, there are plenty of students across the country whose priorities are constantly changing. To counter this, it is crucial that you apply to more than one school.

If you’re undecided on a major, a community college might be a better short-term option where you can get your general education credits out of the way before deciding on your path. You may also consider getting your associate degree or a certificate first, then if you decide you want to do more, you can stack those credentials by getting your bachelor’s degree later.

Applying to two universities, differing in demographics and campus, can provide a chance to have two styles of campus. When I was a College Advisor, I had a student who was offered a volleyball scholarship after she played in a spring tournament. This changed her options drastically and she ended up choosing a school she never considered before. It’s not always a bad thing!

Applying to at least three schools gives you a buffer if there is a major change that occurs outside of your control as well.

2. Other schools might offer more money!

Did you know that you could be accepted to multiple schools at the same time? Before you register for classes at your school of choice, it is a good option to apply to multiple schools and send them your FAFSA information. When filing your FAFSA you can indicate that you want your information sent to over ten universities. Each will give you information on how much financial aid they can provide. Remember, circumstances can change drastically during the year, so it is always important to see what the best financial option might be.

By looking at their multiple financial aid award letters, one student of mine was able to figure out exactly what ACT score they would need to achieve to make their top school financially viable.

3. There are ways to pay for application fees.

A big reason most people only apply to one school is application fees. They can range from low ($20), to medium ($60), to high (over $100). That can add up fast if you are applying to multiple schools. But there are ways to make it cheaper to apply to more colleges! First, if you are a student on free and reduced lunch or Pell eligible, you qualify for a national application fee waiver. Talk to your high school counselor about getting a fee waived. There are no limits to how many waivers you can fill out. If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, the university itself might be able to help. Many universities will waive application fees for students who come visit the campus or have talked to an admissions representative. Not only does that make the application cheaper, it gives you a chance to go visit schools.

There are also many schools that do not require an application fee for applying. All community colleges have a free application, meaning you are guaranteed at least one additional application that you will not have to pay for.

4. It makes the college process less stressful.

There is no denying that picking a university is a difficult choice for a high school senior. Especially if there are certain requirements you need to pass before you are officially accepted. The biggest of these obstacles for most students is standardized tests. The ACT and SAT can, not only decide if you can afford to go to the school of your choice, it can determine if you even get in at all. My ACT score was too low to get into William & Mary, but was good enough for Truman State. Some schools are even moving away from the standardized test score altogether. When you apply to multiple schools with different requirements for acceptance, it makes this score less impactful.

5. Don’t let rejection bring you down.

April of my senior year I was out of time and options. The only school I could see myself at did not accept me, and I did not finish the application to the only other school I visited. I eventually attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City for two years before transferring to Truman State. UMKC is a GREAT school, but I never felt personally connected with my choice. A lot of that was because I was judging it compared to the school I really wanted to attend. That attitude hurt my grades and my morale. The only solution was to go somewhere else for a fresh start.

This year, students across the country will get the same bad news. They did not get into the school of their dreams. But that should not be the end of your educational journey! By applying to multiple schools that you enjoy, you save yourself from feeling defeated. The main key to success in college is having an investment in your studies and that comes from being invested in your time at school. There is no such thing as a “safety school,” just other options you might enjoy if the first one does not work out.