The first step in applying for Federal financial assistance is completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Be sure to indicate that you want your results forwarded to Missouri Western State University, school code 002490 when completing the application.

The Missouri Western State University

priority deadline is March 1st each year.

FAFSA applications are available each January and should be submitted online in early February to ensure the March 1st priority deadline is met for Federal Work-Study, Perkins Loans, and SEOG.   Keep in mind, that if you are selected for Verification, you must submit all requested documentation to the Office of Financial Aid prior to the March 1st deadline date.

FAFSA applications will continue to be accepted and processed after March 1st for the Federal Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, Academic Competitiveness Grant, and SMART Grant.

Federal Pell Grant  

The government's largest need-based student aid program and is considered to be the foundation to which aid from other federal, and non-federal sources might be added.  Awards range from $200 to $4,050 per year.  The actual amount the student receives depends on the financial information reported on the FAFSA.  These funds do not need to be repaid.

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

Need based grant available to Pell recipients who have completed a rigorous high school curriculum as defined by Federal regulation.  Qualified first year students are eligible for up to $750 per year.  Qualified second year students earning a minimum GPA of 3.00 are eligible for up to $1,300 per year. 

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361.

National SMART Grant

Need based grant available to 3rd and 4th year students who declare a major in an eligible math, science, or a critical foreign language program and are recipients of the Federal Pell Grant. Qualified students must have a minimum GPA of 3.00 and be enrolled in coursework leading towards an eligible major. The grant is valued at up to $4,000 per year.

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants

Deadline: Priority March 1st

Federal SEOG is for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.  Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.  Awards may range from $100 up to $4,000 depending on need and availability of funds.  The average award at Western is $500 per year.  These funds do not need to be repaid.

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid no later than March 1st each year. 

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361

Federal College Work Study Program

Deadline: Priority March 1st

Students who qualify for the Federal Work-Study program may be employed part-time during college and in the summer months preceding the academic year. The number of hours of employment per week is determined by the financial need of each qualified student, his/her academic schedule, and the amount of other assistance received. Federal Work-Study funds are usually divided equally throughout the year. To receive these funds, the student must work all of the hours allowed each month. Students will be paid at least the minimum wage for hours worked each month.

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid prior to March 1st.   

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361.

Federal Perkins Loans

Deadline: Priority March 1st

The Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) government loan available to students with exceptional financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Students begin repayment to Western nine months after they graduate, withdraw, or cease to be enrolled at least half-time. Repayment of Federal Perkins Loans may be postponed or cancelled under certain circumstances such as economic hardship or employment in a specific field.  Federal Perkins loans are made possible by a matching grant from Western.

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid prior to March 1st.   

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361. 

Federal Stafford Loans         

Low-interest, long term loans made to students.  Students may qualify for "subsidized" Federal Stafford Loan which are based on financial need or "unsubsidized" Federal Stafford Loan regardless of need.

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid.   First time borrowers at Western must complete Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note before loan funds with be released.

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361. 

Federal PLUS Loans         

Available to parents of dependent students to provide additional funds for educational expenses.  Credit worthy parents may borrow up to the difference between the student's Cost of Attendance budget and all other aid the student is receiving.  The interest rate for these loans is 8.5%.    

Application Procedures:  Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit any additional requested documents to the Office of Financial Aid.  Must submit a Plus Loan Pre-Approval Application each year.

Contact Information:  Office of Financial Aid at 816/271-4361.

Army ROTC National Scholarship       

Federal Program

The ARMY ROTC Scholarship program is available to students who have graduated from high school or possess an equivalent certificate.  Students are awarded U.S. Army ROTC scholarships through a highly competitive national selection process.  Scholarships pay full college tuition and fees and provide a book allowance.  Army scholarship winners also receive a monthly tax-free subsistence allowance for up to 10 months for each year the scholarship is in effect.

Contact Information:  Military Science Department at 816/271-0096.  

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program    

Federal Program

This congressionally funded program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education.  These scholarships will make it possible for students with limited financial means to participate in study abroad opportunities worldwide.  

Contact Information:  www.iie.org/gilman

Eligibility for Federal Aid / Return of Title IV Funds / Satisfactory Academic Progress