State Aid Resources

SFCC provides information and resources to help students explore Missouri state financial aid opportunities. State aid may include grants, scholarships, and other programs designed to help eligible students pay for college. For most state financial aid programs, students must have completed FASA on file.  Students are encouraged to review available programs, complete any required applications, and pay close attention to state deadlines. SFCC’s Financial Aid Office is available to help students understand their options and navigate the financial aid process.

 

State Resources Available

Missouri’s A+ Scholarship Program help eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools pay for tuition at State Fair Community College. It’s a great opportunity to make your college education more affordable and get a strong start on your future.

Want to see if you qualify? Learn more about Missouri Department of Higher Education’s A+ Scholarship Program.

 

A+ Scholarship FAQs

A+ is awarded by your high school. Your high school will need to send us a copy of your final transcript, which will have an A+ eligibility stamp. High school transcripts may be mailed to State Fair Community College, Admissions and Outreach, 3201 W. 16th St., Sedalia, MO 65301; faxed to (660) 596-7472; or emailed to admissions@sfccmo.edu.

You must complete the FAFSA and have it on file at SFCC. When we receive your FAFSA, we will notify you via your SFCC student email. You can log into your Experience student portal and check the status of your FAFSA under the Financial Aid dashboard.

If any materials are missing, they will be indicated by a red flag in the Financial Aid Requirements section. You will need to mail all supporting documents to Financial Aid and Veteran Services, 3201 W. 16th St., Sedalia, MO 65301; fax to (660) 530-5820; or email finaid@sfccmo.edu.

  • If you receive a Pell Grant, those funds will be applied to your account first. A+ funds will pay for the difference in the allowable amount the Pell Grant does not cover.
  • If you receive an Access Grant, it will be applied to your account if the A+ allowable amount is less than the Access Grant.

At SFCC, A+ will pay for technology fees and tuition, up to the maximum A+ reimbursement tuition rate.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) determines the A+ maximum reimbursement tuition rate every year. It is your responsibility to pay whatever tuition is not reimbursed by your A+ funds.

Recently, several of our programs were approved for the A+ reimbursement cap waiver. This means that students pursuing the following degrees at SFCC will get 100% of their tuition covered by A+ regardless if the rate is higher than the maximum A+ reimbursement rate.

Automotive Technology

Professional Certificate – Automotive Technology

Associate of Applied Science – Automotive Technology

Computer and Network Administration

Skills Certificate – Enterprise Server Administration

Skills Certificate – Information Security

Skills Certificate – Storage and Virtualization

Professional Certificate – IT Essentials Skills

Associate of Applied Science – Computer and Network Administration

Computer Information Systems

Associate of Applied Science – CIS Accounting

Skills Certificate – Computer User Support

Skills Certificate – Programming

Associate of Applied Science – CIS Programming

Professional Certificate – Web Design Applications

Associate of Applied Science – CIS Web Development

Dental Hygiene

Associate of Applied Science – Dental Hygiene

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Associate of Applied Science – Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Health Information Technology

Professional Certificate – Medical Coding

Associate of Applied Science – Health Information Technology

Industrial Technology

Skills Certificate – Electro-Mechanical Technology

Professional Certificate – Manufacturing Production Technician

Professional Certificate – Millwright Technician

Professional Certificate – Robotics and Automation Technician

Professional Certificate – Total Productive Maintenance

Associate of Applied Science – IT Electrical Maintenance

Manufacturing Technology

Skills Certificate – Machinist Level I

Professional Certificate – Machine Tool Technology

Associate of Applied Science – Precision Machining Technology

Skills Certificate – Structural Welding

Professional Certificate – Pipe Welding

Professional Certificate – Welding Technology

Associate of Applied Science – Welding Technology

Nursing

Professional Certificate – Practical Nursing

Associate of Applied Science – Nursing

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Associate of Applied Science – Occupational Therapy Assistant

Radiologic Technology

Associate of Applied Science – Radiologic Technology

Surgical Technology

Associate of Applied Science – Surgical Technology

  • Books
  • Course fees and other program-related fees such as testing or supply fees
  • Repeated coursework or classes
  • Dropped coursework after the 100 percent refund period or classes in a withdrawn status (“W” on transcript)

  • Maintain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average every semester
  • Enroll in and complete at least 12 credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and at least six credit hours in the summer semester (interim classes precede the upcoming semester)
  • Maintain “Satisfactory Academic Progress” as defined by SFCC
  • Seek a degree or certificate and be enrolled in classes to pursue the degree or certificate declared

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) may make announcements or addendums to the qualifying requirements for students. Although SFCC makes every effort to inform you of these changes, it is ultimately your responsibility to keep updated on and maintain all requirements for A+ eligibility.

Since A+ is determined by your grades and grade point average, it cannot be added to your account until after the current semester has ended and grades have been posted. We will then review your transcript and determine if you are eligible to have A+ funds applied to tuition for the next semester. A+ will be added to your account during these time frames:

  • Fall semester – beginning of August
  • Spring semester – beginning of January
  • Summer semester – end of May

Note: If payment is due prior to the dates listed, it is your responsibility to make payment arrangements with the Business office regardless of A+ eligibility.

Your A+ eligibility expires when the earliest of the following occurs:

  • 48 months after the graduation date documented on your final high school transcript.
  • You complete 105 percent of the hours required for the program in which you are currently enrolled.
  • You receive an associate degree.

If you drop a class during the 100 percent drop period:

  • Your A+ amount is adjusted for the amount of hours you are enrolled. You must be enrolled in 12 credits or more each semester.

If you drop a class after the 100 percent drop period:

  • If you drop courses in a semester, the total amount of credit hours dropped will be deducted from your A+ funding, and you will responsible for paying the tuition charges for those hours. If you have an outstanding account balance, you will not be allowed to enroll in future semesters nor will you have access to official transcripts.

For example: A student enrolled in 15 credit hours and drops to 12 credit hours after the 100 percent drop period. A+ will pay for 12 credit hours and the student will be responsible for 3 credit hours.

  • You are required to complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in the fall semester to be eligible for the spring semester. A course is considered complete if you earn a standard grade, including a failing grade but excluding a grade of withdrawal prior to completion. Withdrawn coursework remains ineligible for reimbursement in any term.

If you do not complete 12 credits in the fall semester you will be ineligible for A+ funding in the spring semester. During the spring semester, you would need to complete at least enough credit hours to total 12 credits when combined with the fall semester in order to regain eligibility for the next semester.

For example: A student completing nine credit hours in the fall would have to complete at least three credit hours in the spring to be eligible for the next fall semester.

Yes, if you meet one of the following exceptions:

  • You are in your last semester and applied for graduation and your navigator sends Financial Aid confirmation via email.
  • You are taking all hours required for your degree.  Your Navigator will send the Financial Aid Office confirmation that you are taking all available hours.
  • SFCC has a documented disability on file. The Access Coordinator will confirm your status.

A+ funds will pay for a course one time. Repeated courses are not covered by the A+ program, but the hours will count toward meeting the full-time credit hour requirement. 

Yes – A student can use A+ funding the first summer semester out of high school at SFCC.  You must complete an admissions application and submit the current year’s FAFSA to start using A+. For example:  if you plan to attend classes in the summer 2022 semester, you will need to fill out the 2021-2022 FAFSA.

To renew, initial students must:

  • Complete the FAFSA, if applicable, in order to make a good faith effort to secure a Pell grant or other federal aid
  • Achieve a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average by the end of the fall term.
  • Complete at least 12 credit hours in each fall and spring term in which you receive an A+ award (6 credit hours in summer).
  • Achieve a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average by the end of the spring term.

To renew, renewal students must:

  • Complete the FAFSA, if applicable, each year in order to make a good faith effort to secure a Pell grant or other federal aid
  • Maintain a 2.5 grade point average and otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school
  • Complete at least 12 credit hours in each fall and spring term in which you receive an A+ award (6 credit hours in summer).

A student may transfer from another college or university and use A+ funding at SFCC contingent upon the following:

  • Official transcripts from previously attended colleges sent to SFCC
  • Must meet all other requirements to receive A+ Program funding
  • The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) established at a previous institution could impact A+ eligibility at the time of transfer to SFCC, please Financial Aid office for additional information on your situation

No. A+ funds may only be used at public community colleges and/or participating career-technical schools located in Missouri.

Yes. If you are unable to attend school due to active duty service to any branch of the armed forces of the United States, you may qualify for a deferment of your scholarship eligibility. The deferment will ensure you receive 48 months of eligibility (see “How long can I receive an award?” above). You must return to full-time status within 12 months of the end of your military service and provide a copy of your DD214 to verify the length of your service in order to resume your eligibility.

To defer your eligibility you must submit a written request to:

Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development 
ATTN: A+
P.O. Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469

Missouri students attending State Fair Community College may be eligible for this grant if they meet the application deadline and have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $20,000 or less.

To remain eligible, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Grant amounts can vary from year to year based on funding available through the state budget.

Be sure to complete your FAFSA by the deadline to be considered for available grant funding! Learn more about the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program.

 

Access Missouri Grant FAQs

Award amounts are based on your EFC and the type of school you are attending when you receive the award. If you transfer to a different school, your award amount may change based on the type of school to which you transfer.

Access grants are only awarded in the fall and spring semesters, not summer terms. Award amounts for the upcoming academic year will be estimated in August when the amount of funding for the program and the final number of eligible students are known. The estimated award amount for SFCC is $300 to $850 per year.

Note: If you are eligible for A+ tuition reimbursement, your Access Missouri award will be reduced by the amount of the reimbursement. Award amounts may also be reduced if your total aid package, excluding educational loans and aid based solely on academic performance, exceeds SFCC’s cost of attendance.

There is no paper Access Missouri application to fill out. Submit your FAFSA by Feb. 1 (priority date) each year. The MDHE receives electronic FAFSA records for Missouri residents directly from the federal government.

April 1 is the final deadline for FAFSA submission (funds permitting).

SFCC will apply the Access Missouri grant to your account after Aug. 10 (or after MDHE announces the awards amounts to be given). If you are eligible, you will be able to see the award amount in Experience.

Your award is automatically applied to your account.

You may renew the Access Missouri award annually. To renew you must reapply and have your eligibility reevaluated. If you fail to file a new FAFSA by the deadline or your EFC increases to a point above the eligibility cutoff, you will not be eligible for an Access Missouri award for that academic year even though you received one the previous year. However, you may be eligible for an Access Missouri award the following year if your FAFSA is received by the deadline.

If you are denied an Access Missouri award for not maintaining satisfactory academic progress or a 2.5 CGPA, you cannot receive another award until the enrollment period after you have once again met those requirements. You must maintain SFCC’s satisfactory academic progress policy which will be checked before each semester.

Note: If, while you are receiving an Access Missouri award, you are found guilty of or plead guilty to any criminal offense that disqualifies you from receiving Title IV aid, you cannot renew your Access Missouri award.

Visit Access Missouri grants for more information.

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. More than 635 program areas have been designated as eligible. 

 

Fast Track Workforce Incentive FAQs

  • Individuals age 25 or older, or individuals who have not been enrolled in school for at least two years, may participate.
  • Students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree and plan to enroll either part-time or full-time are eligible.
  • Individuals must have an annual income of no more than $40,000 for single filers or $80,000 for married couples filing jointly.

  1. Complete the application on the State Financial Aid Portal.
  2. Apply for admission to State Fair Community College.
  3. Complete the FAFSA. Submit the FAFSA for the program year in which you are applying. You must complete the FAFSA each year you are enrolled in—or planning to enroll in—college.

  • The Fast Track program is designed to ensure that, when combined with other federal and state financial aid, students’ tuition and required fees are fully covered.
  • Fast Track awards will cover any remaining tuition and fee costs after all other federal and state student aid has been applied.
  • If other financial aid fully covers a student’s tuition and fees, the student may be eligible for a Fast Track award of up to $500 to help cover other education-related expenses.

  • A.A.S. in Agriculture (Agribusiness)
  • A.A.S. in Agriculture (Agronomy)
  • A.A.S. in Agriculture (Animal Science)
  • A.A.S. in Agriculture (Horticulture)
  • Professional Certificate in Agribusiness
  • Professional Certificate in Agronomy
  • A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems (Accounting)
  • A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems (Programming)
  • A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems (Web Development)
  • Skills Certificate in Programming
  • A.A.S. in Computer and Network Administration
  • Skills Certificate in Enterprise Server Administration
    Skills Certificate in Information Security
  • Skills Certificate in Storage and Virtualization
  • A.A. in Teaching
  • A.S. in Engineering
  • A.A.S. in Industrial Technology (Electrical Maintenance)
  • Professional Certificate in Total Productive Maintenance
  • Skills Certificate in Electro-Mechanical Technology
  • Skills Certificate in Manufacturing Production
  • A.A.S. in Engineering Design Technology
  • Professional Certificate in Engineering Design
  • Skills Certificate in Architectural Design
  • Skills Certificate in Mechanical Design
  • A.A.S. in Construction Management Technology
  • Professional Certificate in Construction Mgmt. Tech.
  • A.A.S. in Automotive Technology
  • Professional Certificate in Automotive Technology
  • Skills Certificate in Advanced Driveability
  • Skills Certificate in Automotive Chassis
  • Skills Certificate in Automotive Electrical/Electronics, Heating/Air Conditioning
  • Skills Certificate in Automotive Transmission, Driveline and Axles
  • A.A.S. in Marine Technology
  • A.A.S. in Manufacturing Technology (Precision Machining Technology)
  • A.A.S. in Manufacturing Technology (Welding)
  • Professional Certificate in Machine Tool Technology
  • Professional Certificate in Pipe Welding
  • Professional Certificate in Welding Technology
  • Skills Certificate in CNC Operation
  • Skills Certificate in Machinist (Levels I and II)
  • Skills Certificate in Structural Welding
  • A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene
  • A.A.S. in Health Information Technology
  • Professional Certificate in Medical Coding
  • A.A.S. in Medical Assisting
  • Professional Certificate in Medical Assisting
  • A.A.S. in Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • A.A.S. in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology
  • A.A.S. in Nursing
  • Professional Certificate in Practical Nursing
  • A.A.S. in Accounting

The scholarship helps cover the costs of tuition for public safety personnel with at least 6 years of service and the dependent children of public safety personnel with at least 10 years of service.

Want to see if you qualify? Learn more about Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship.

This program provides tuition assistance to certain public employees and their families if the employee is killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. Learn more about Public Services Officer Survivor Grant.

Available annually to children and spouses of veterans.  Learn more about Wartime Veteran’s Survivor Grant.

Offers reduced tuition for certain combat veterans attending a public institution of higher education.  Learn more about the Missouri Returning Heroes Act.

This scholarship is eligible for Missouri students that have a composite score on the ACT or SATT within the top five percent of all Missouri takers. Learn more about the Bright Flight Scholarship.

This non-renewable grant is designed to encourage high school students to take and score well on the Advanced Placement tests in mathematics and science.  Learn more about the Advanced Placement Incentive Grant.

This is a scholarship designed to assist academically talented minority and underrepresented individuals pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in an environmental course of study that will lead to employment in a field that is clearly environmentally related. Learn more about the Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Program.

This scholarship is available to children of workers who were seriously injured or died in a work-related accident covered and compensated by workers' compensation. Learn more about Kid’s Chance Program.

High school students may be eligible to receive a scholarship that covers the tuition and fees for their dual credit or dual enrollment courses. Learn more about Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship.

How can I apply?

  • High school students must be enrolled in a dual credit class offered at State Fair Community College.
  • Complete the application on the State Financial Aid Portal.