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Governor Nixon Proposed Steady Funding for Access Missouri
In his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2013, Gov. Nixon is proposing steady funding of the Access Missouri, Bright Flight and A+ scholarship programs. This is good news to the members of the Keep Me In College Coalition who have been advocating for level funding for the coming fiscal year.
The Previous Threat to Access Missouri
The Previous Threat To Access Missouri
Through Access Missouri, students with demonstrated financial need can receive tuition support to attend any eligible Missouri college or university of their choice.
Access Missouri was developed in 2007 with extensive input from financial aid professionals, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education and the General Assembly. They recognized that financial aid is not “one size fits all.” It works best when designed to meet the needs of the individual students it serves.
After careful analysis and deliberate research, Access Missouri was created with graduated awards to best meet the needs of Missouri students. The average award was set to cover 22 percent of the tuition and fees at four-year independent institutions, while covering 25 percent at four-year public institutions.
In the 2010 Legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill to revise Access Missouri award amounts in exchange for removing a provision that would have sunset the highly successful program in 2013. Under the new bill, beginning in 2014 the maximum award for four-year college students will be $2,850, regardless of whether they attend a public or independent institution.
In 2010, Gov. Jay Nixon cut funding for the Access Missouri program by $50 million. This was a devastating blow to students who depend on the Access Missouri program to attend college in our state. Lawmakers had budgeted $83 million for the 2010-2011 academic year. The cut by Gov. Nixon significantly reduced state financial aid for students with demonstrated need at a time when the number of students qualifying to receive need-based financial aid is increasing.
For the past two years the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) has rescued Missouri students with financial need by providing $30 million to offset cuts to Access Missouri funding. There is no guarantee that MOHELA will continue to provide this funding, putting students at significant risk.
Access Missouri Students
- Approximately 60% are first-generation college students.
- The program is available to families with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) of $12,000 or less.
- About one-third of Access Missouri grant recipients have an EFC of $500 or less.
- Nearly two-thirds demonstrate need (EFC of $4,000 or less) that also makes them eligible for a Pell grant, the federal government's lead need-based financial aid program.
Where Access Missouri Students Go To School
- According to the Missouri Department of Higher Education, almost three-fourths of the students (73%) receiving support through Access Missouri attend public institutions.
- Students with greater financial need tend to choose independent colleges.
- The average family income of Access Missouri recipients attending public 4-year colleges is $37,060. The average family income of Access Missouri recipients attending independent 4-year colleges is $35,604.
- In FY 2010, nearly 50,000 students in our state attended a Missouri college or university of their choice because of Access Missouri.
How Access Missouri Works
- Access Missouri supports students attending any eligible public, independent, 2-year or 4-year post-secondary institution in the state.
- The current maximum award is projected to be $1,900 for four-year independent students; $950 for four-year public students; and $275 for community college students.
- Students must have their FAFSA on file by April 1, re-apply each year and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA to receive support.
- Access Missouri is primarily funded through taxpayer dollars from General Revenue.
For More Information
Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the Missouri Legislature by joining the Keep Me In College Coalition. We’ll send you periodic updates on the threat to Access Missouri and how you can help protect financial aid to Missouri students.
Additional information about Access Missouri can be found on the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s website.
To learn if you qualify for Access Missouri funds, or other questions about your own financial aid options, please meet with the financial aid director at your Missouri college or university.
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