Cost and Scholarships

Are you a new student or a student returning after an absence of more than 3 years? You may be eligible for the Return to Learn Scholarship for undergraduates. Scroll down for more information!

Beginning the 2019-20 academic school year, this grant addresses workforce needs and helps nontraditional students pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need.

This program provides merit-based scholarships to emerging leaders who are outstanding students and who have the need for additional resources for higher education.

Missouri State University's philosophy is a quality education should be within the financial reach of all students.

Use the Net Price Calculator to get an estimate how much it will cost you to attend Missouri State. The calculator will provide information about the cost of attending our university as well as a preliminary estimate of federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility.

Scholarships and Grants for the Nontraditional Student

Do you want to return to Missouri State to finish your degree but need some financial assistance? To see if you qualify, call 417-836-6929.

Return to Learn Scholarships

Each fall and spring semester, the Office of Adult Student Services awards a limited number of the "Return to Learn Scholarships" for undergraduate students 25 years of age or older. This scholarship will be awarded to degree-seeking adult undergraduate students entering college for the first time or returning after an absence of three years or longer who have not previously earned a bachelor's degree. The scholarship is intended for adult students who exhibit outstanding potential for academic success at Missouri State University. The $1050 scholarship is applied to the recipient's account over two semesters if all criteria have been met.

The “Continuation Scholarship” is available for students who have successfully satisfied the requirements for the “Return to Learn Scholarship" as a way to reward them for their successes in their first two semesters of college work and as an incentive to continue to meet their educational needs. This $2050 scholarship is applied to the recipient's account over two semesters if all criteria have been met.

These scholarships may not be used for noncredit courses or in conjunction with Senior Citizen Fee Waivers.

Return to Learn Scholarship Eligibility:

To qualify for the first part of the two-semester scholarship, applicants must:

1. Be 25 years of age or older
2. Be enrolled in the first or second semester of his/her first college experience (excluding summer session) or be returning after an absence of three years or more (no transferable credits earned from any institution for at least 3 years)
3. Maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours

The Return to Learn Scholarship application deadline has been extended to October 11, 2024.
Please submit your completed form via email to AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu.

To qualify for the second semester of the scholarship, applicants must:

1. Have a 2.5 or better GPA after the first semester of his/her return to college study
2. Maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours
3. Be enrolled in his/her second consecutive semester at Missouri State University

Continuation Scholarship Eligibility:

1. Must have completed and fulfilled the requirement of the “Return to Learn” scholarship
2. Must be enrolled in his/her third consecutive semester at Missouri State University (excluding summer session)
3. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
4. Must maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester

1. Must have a 3.0 or higher GPA to qualify for the second part of the two-semester scholarship
2. Must maintain enrollment in a minimum of 6 credit hours
3. Must be enrolled in his/her fourth consecutive semester at Missouri State University

Return to Finish Scholarship

This scholarship is offered through the Adult Student Services Office. To be eligible, student need:

1. 90+ hours of undergraduate credit
2. Have not previously earned an undergraduate degree
3. 2.0 or higher GPA
4. Owe less than $2,000 to the University
5. Have been out of school for at least one year
6. Comply with residency requirements.

This scholarship awards $200 for students enrolled in 3-5 credit hours, and $500 for those enrolled in 6 or more credit hours. Students can receive the scholarship for more than one semester, but the maximum lifetime award amount is $500. To learn more and apply for the scholarship, visit the website: https://adultstudents.missouristate.edu/return-to-finish.htm

Missouri State University offers nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarships that provide over 1,800 awards with an average value of $1,400.

How to Apply

Students apply for the nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarships at Missouri State University using a single online application.

1. Students must be accepted for admission prior to applying.
2. Once accepted for admission, student will set up access to their personal portal called MyMissouriState.
3. Log into My Missouri State
4. Click the Profile tab.
5. Find the Financial Aid channel on the Profile tab.
6. Click on the Annual Scholarship Application link on the Financial Aid channel.
7. Click on Start Application, complete the online application.

Applications are submitted online and are due March 1st

The following scholarships are included in the MSU Annual Scholarship application. If you have any questions about a particular scholarship, please contact the MSU Foundation at FNDScholarships@MissouriState.edu or contact the Office of Financial Aid for more details.

Please note that you are not limited only to the listed scholarships below. By submitting the MSU Annual Scholarship application, you are automatically applied for all MSU Foundation scholarships for which you are eligible.