The Missouri Western A+ Scholarship Program grew substantially in its second year of existence and is currently helping more than 250 graduates of A+ designated high schools attend Missouri Western.
“We announced some changes last year to make the Missouri Western A+ Scholarship an even more attractive option for students wanting to pursue a four-year degree, and it’s gratifying to see that those changes have paid off,” said Howard McCauley, dean of enrollment management.
The Missouri Western A+ Scholarship is for incoming freshmen who are A+-certified by the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) and who choose to enroll full time in a four-year degree program at Missouri Western directly out of high school. In its first year, 2012-2013, the $1,500 scholarship was renewable for two years. The changes that went into effect in fall 2013 made the scholarship renewable for four years, and provided an additional $500 per year to graduates of A+ high schools in Andrew and Buchanan Counties.
Missouri Western awarded 192 A+ scholarships last fall, an increase of more than 30 percent over the first year. Eighty-two of those students are from Buchanan and Andrew Counties, receiving the additional $500.
Unlike MDHE’s A+ Scholarship for use at two-year community colleges or vocational/technical schools, Missouri Western’s scholarship is stackable with other federal, state and institutional financial aid. In other words, the A+ Scholarship does not reduce a student’s Pell Grant or other financial aid. The average student receiving a Missouri Western A+ Scholarship last year received an additional $4,515 in aid, bringing the total aid for the first year to more than $6,000. A qualifying student from Andrew or Buchanan County could receive a total of more than $24,000 in assistance over four years.
Students interested in the Missouri Western A+ Scholarship can contact Peggy Payne in the Office of Admissions at 816-271-5621 or pmpayne@missouriwestern.edu.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.
Published Apr 16, 2014 @ 9:59