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State Scholarships

Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship

This need-based scholarship was established for students who are employed while attending school part-time.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Initial Students

Renewal Students

Have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file by August 1.
Be enrolled at least half time, but less than full time (6-11 credit hours), at a participating Missouri postsecondary school.
Be employed and compensated for at least 20 hours per week.
Be at least 18 years old.
Demonstrate financial need.
Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or a permanent resident.
Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.
Not have not received your first bachelor's degree or completed 150 semester credit hours.
Not be employed under the Title IV College Work Study program.

Continue to meet the eligibility requirements for initial students,
Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
Otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school.

How much can I receive?

The maximum annual scholarship amount is the least of:

The tuition charged for 6 or 9 credit hours at the school where you are enrolled part time, or
The amount of tuition charged to a Missouri undergraduate resident enrolled in 6 or 9 credit hours in the same class level at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Award amounts for students enrolled in 6, 7 or 8 semester credit hours, or the equivalent, will be calculated based on 6 semester credit hours. Award amounts for students enrolled in 9, 10 or 11 semester credit hours, or the equivalent, will be calculated based on 9 semester credit hours.

Your award amount may vary between semesters depending on the number of credit hours in which you're enrolled. If you transfer to a different school, your award amount may also change based on the tuition at the school to which you transfer.

Awards are provided each semester based on limited funding availability, with renewal students having priority. As a result, not all eligible students are funded.

Awards are not available during summer terms.

How do I demonstrate financial need?

Your financial need is calculated as follows:

     Cost of attendance (COA)
-    Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
-    Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA)
     Financial Need

The COA includes standard expenses determined by your school for part-time students for tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses and transportation. It may not be the amount you are actually being charged for these items.

The EFC is calculated by the U.S. Department of Education using information you provided on the FAFSA.

EFA can include government or private grants, scholarships or loans. It is all of the aid included in your financial aid package.

If the need calculation results in a number greater than zero, you have demonstrated financial need and may be considered for an award. If the need calculation results in zero or a negative number, you have not demonstrated financial need and are ineligible for an award.

How can I apply?

Complete the FAFSA by August 1 each year.

If your school participates, apply with your advisor in the financial aid office and provide them with a completed Marguerite Ross Barnett Employment Verification Form each year. The employment verification form may also be obtained from the school's financial aid office or by calling the MDHE at (800) 473-6757 or (573) 751-3940. If you received this scholarship last year, inform the school of your renewal status. There isn't a deadline for applying with your financial aid office but early application is encouraged.

Changes to the FAFSA will be accepted until August 1.

How will I know if I am eligible?

The MDHE does not provide notice to students of eligibility. However, you will be notified if you provided conflicting information on your FAFSA that needs to be corrected before August 1 in order to be considered for an award. For example, you will be notified if you provided information indicating you are a college freshman who has already obtained a bachelor's degree.

Final eligibility is determined by the institution you are attending, usually in late August for the fall semester and mid-January for the spring semester. Contact your institution for your tentative eligibility status.

How will I receive my award?

Each semester the institution you are attending will certify your eligibility. The certification process occurs electronically in real-time. Institutions typically certify eligibility at the beginning of each semester, although they can do so through the end of the semester.

If your institution certifies you are eligible and sufficient funding is available, the MDHE will disburse your award within 3-5 business days of the certification. Your institution will then deliver it to you. Delivery timeframes can vary from institution to institution.

How do I renew my award?

To renew you must reapply and have your eligibility re-evaluated each year. This means that if you fail to file a new FAFSA by the deadline, or your EFC or other financial aid increase to a point where you no longer have financial need, you may no longer be eligible for a Marguerite Ross Barnett award even though you received one in the previous year.

How do I transfer my award?

If you choose to transfer to a different participating Missouri institution, either between academic years or semesters, you must contact the MDHE at (800) 473-6757, option 4.

To transfer your award between semesters you must have been paid in the preceding fall semester or the school you are transferring to must have been on file with the MDHE by August 1.

Bright Flight Scholarship

The “Bright Flight” Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that encourages top-ranking high school seniors to attend college in Missouri. The annual award is $2,000 and is distributed in two payments - $1,000 per semester conditional on sufficient state appropriations. To be eligible, you must:

This merit-based program encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri postsecondary schools.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

Initial Students

Renewal Students

Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or permanent resident.
Have a composite score on the ACT or SAT in the top 3 percent of all Missouri students taking those tests. For 2010 high school seniors, ACT or SAT scores in the top 5% will qualify.

The qualifying score must be achieved by the June test date of your senior year in high school. (Only composite test scores achieved on national test dates or on special test dates approved by the testing companies are acceptable. Test scores from residual tests are not acceptable.)

Be a graduating high school senior (or equivalent) who enrolls as a first-time student.
Be enrolled full time at a participating Missouri school. (Students with disabilities who are enrolled in at least six credit hours may be considered to be enrolled full time.)
Receive the scholarship during the academic year immediately following your senior year in high school (or when you obtain a certificate of high school equivalence).
Complete and submit all requested eligibility information.
Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.

Continue to meet the eligibility requirements for initial students,
Receive the scholarship at least one semester each academic year, beginning with the academic year immediately following your senior year in high school.
Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school.
Provide any requested eligibility information by July 31 or September 30 of the year it is requested.

Individuals who have completed a home-school program or who have obtained a certificate of high school equivalence by passing the General Educational Development (GED) exam may be considered for the scholarship program. GED students must submit a copy of their GED certificate to:

Missouri Department of Higher Education
Attn: Bright Flight
3515 Amazonas Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

What is the qualifying score and how much can I receive?

The qualifying ACT and SAT scores for students who will graduate in the current academic year are re-evaluated and announced each fall. These qualifying scores are based on the scores of students who were high school seniors in the previous academic year. For example, the 2009-2010 qualifying scores are based on the test results of all 2008 Missouri high school seniors. Because the minimum score is set by a percent of test takers, that score is subject to change annually.

If you took the ACT or SAT as a high school junior or sophomore, your score will be accepted as long as it meets the qualifying score(s) announced during your senior year in high school.

To qualify for the Bright Flight Scholarship for the 2009-2010 college academic year, 2009 high school graduates must have achieved one of the following test scores to be ranked in the top 3 percent. Essay portions are not taken into consideration when determining the qualifying score.

ACT composite score of 31 or above
SAT critical reading score of 790 or above and a math score of 780 or above

2009 high school graduates must have achieved the qualifying score on or before the June 2009 national test date in order to qualify for the Bright Flight Scholarship.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the $2,000 annual scholarship will be distributed in two payments of $1,000 each semester.

The qualifying ACT scores for 2010 high school graduates (for the 2010-2011 college academic year) are as follows. Beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year, the award amounts will be differential based on the score achieved.

ACT Score	OR	SAT Critical Reading Score	and	SAT Math Score
31 or above	OR	800 or above	and	790 or above

Students with scores at this level are eligible for an annual award of up to $3,000 (up to $1,500 each semester). The actual award amount is dependent on the amount of funds allocated for the program during the 2010 legislative session.

ACT Score	OR	SAT Critical Reading Score	and	SAT Math Score
30	OR	770-799	and	780-789

Students with scores at this level are eligible for an annual award of up to $1,000 (up to $500 each semester). The actual award amount, and the availability of the award at this level, is also dependent on the amount of funds allocated for the program during the 2010 legislative session.

Award amounts are not available during summer terms.

How can I apply?

There is no Bright Flight application to complete.
The MDHE will receive your ACT or SAT composite score(s), along with approved Missouri college or university choices, from your ACT or SAT assessment records. It takes approximately six to eight weeks after each national test date for the MDHE to receive assessment information.

How will I know if I am eligible?

Eligible students will receive approval letters from the MDHE for qualifying scores achieved by the June ACT and SAT test dates.

Approval letters are mailed beginning in the spring of your senior year in high school.
If you are a 2009 high school graduate and believe you are eligible but have not received an approval letter, contact the MDHE immediately.

You will be notified if you did not indicate any Missouri school choices or if you provided conflicting information (for example, information indicating you are a Missouri resident but not a U.S. citizen). To safeguard your eligibility, we recommend that you always choose at least one approved Missouri school when you take the ACT or SAT, even if you plan to attend school in another state.

The following deadlines apply to changes to your eligibility record with the MDHE:

If you are a 2009 high school graduate

For students who achieved the qualifying score on or before the April 2009 national test date, the preferred deadline was July 31, 2009.
For students who achieved the qualifying score on the June 2009 national test date, or for students who did not meet the July 31 deadline, the deadline for changes was September 30, 2009.

If you are a 2010 high school graduate

For students who achieve the qualifying score on or before the April 2010 national test date, the preferred deadline is July 31, 2010.
For students who achieve the qualifying score on the June 2010 national test date, or for students who do not meet the July 31 deadline, the deadline for changes is September 30, 2010.

Completion of the FAFSA is not required to receive a Bright Flight scholarship. However, if you elect to complete a FAFSA, information on that application or updates to it can impact your eligibility for Bright Flight even if you have previously been notified of your eligibility.

If you do not provide all necessary information to the MDHE by September 30, 2009, you will be considered a late applicant and your award will be subject to funding availability, even if you have previously received an approval letter.

How will I receive my award?

Each semester the institution you are attending will certify your eligibility. The certification process occurs electronically in real-time.Institutions typically certify eligibility at the beginning of each semester, although they can do so through the end of the semester.

If your institution certifies you are eligible, the MDHE will disburse your award within 3-5 business days of the certification. Your institution will then deliver it to you.Delivery timeframes can vary from institution to institution.

How long can I renew my scholarship?

The scholarship may be renewed annually for up to 10 semesters or until you have completed a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first.

How do I transfer my scholarship?

If you choose to transfer to a different participating Missouri institution, either between academic years or semesters, you must contact the MDHE at (800) 473-6757, option 4. Failure to notify the MDHE of the transfer may result in loss of the scholarship.

Can the scholarship be deferred?

If you are unable to attend school for an entire academic year you may qualify for a deferment of your scholarship eligibility for up to 27 continuous months. Acceptable reasons for deferment include:

Participation in a high school student exchange program
Service in a nonprofit organization or a state or federal government agency
Service on active duty in the armed forces of the United States
Documented medical reasons

You should apply for the deferment as soon as you are aware there will be a break in your attendance. If you are unable to attend school for one semester within an academic year, a deferment of your scholarship eligibility is not necessary.

You must submit a written request for deferment to:

Missouri Department of Higher Education
Attn: Bright Flight
3515 Amazonas Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

The above information was provided by MDHE. For the most current information please go to the MDHE web site at http://mdhe.mo.gov/ppcindex.shtml.