The Access Missouri financial aid program enables students from Missouri's working families to attend college. Through Access Missouri, students with demonstrated financial need can receive tuition support to attend any eligible Missouri college or university. Tens of thousands of Missouri students are attending college in our state because of Access Missouri.

Unfortunately, misguided efforts are underway in our state Legislature to dismantle Access Missouri, the very program created to help low-income students achieve their dream of a college education. This would compound the financial burden of thousands of students from working and lower-income families who attend independent institutions by significantly reducing their financial aid awards. It’s not fair, and we can’t allow this to happen.

Missouri shouldn’t balance its budget on the backs of its neediest students. Let the Legislature know that you support keeping financial aid available to Missouri students attending any eligible Missouri college through Access Missouri.

Join our coalition - Signing up will cost you nothing but it could keep you – and your friends – in college.

 

The misguided attempt to cut financial aid to Missouri’s low-income students must be stopped. Let your elected state representatives know today that you support keeping Access Missouri as is, so that a college education remains within reach for all Missouri students attending any Missouri college. Tell them you OPPOSE SB 784 and HB 1812.

Click here for four simple things you can do to protect Access Missouri.

>>January 27: Contact the Senate Education Committee to Oppose SB784

Senate Bill 784, which would reduce the maximum Access Missouri financial aid awards by $1,750 per year for Missouri students who attend independent colleges and universities in our state, has been forwarded to the Senate Education Committee.

While a hearing has not yet been scheduled we expect one in the coming weeks. Contact the members of the Senate Education Committee TODAY and let them know that you OPPOSE SB784 which would add to the financial hardship of students who already have significant financial need.

SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Sen. David Pearce, Committee Chair and Co-Sponsor of SB 784, R-Warrensburg, 573-751-2272
Sen. Kurt Schaefer, Co-Sponsor of SB 784, R-Columbia, 573-751-3931
Sen. Scott T. Rupp, R-Wentzville, 573-751-1282
Sen. Norma Champion, R-Springfield, 573-751-2583
Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, 573-751-3859
Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, 573-751-2306
Sen. Frank Barnitz, D-Lake Spring, 573-751-2108
Sen. Rita H. Days, D-St. Louis, 573-751-4106
Sen. Yvonne S. Wilson, D-Kansas City, 573-751-9758

>> January 14: Senators file bill to reduce Access awards.  Call your legislators TODAY against Senate Bill 784

>> Access Missouri in the news... 

The Coalition will monitor and actively work against any efforts to reduce Access Missouri financial aid. We successfully held off a threat in the 2009 Legislative session because of your help!