Here are tools to help you protect financial aid for all Missouri students attending all eligible Missouri college. 

Talking Points
Contact Your Legislators
Tips for Writing a letter to Policymakers

Downloadable Resources:

Talking Points
FAQs
Tips for Writing a letter to Policymakers
Sample Letter to Legislators
Sample Letter to Governor Jay Nixon

Talking Points

These talking points will help you make a case to Missouri policymakers that all Missouri students deserve the opportunity to attend any eligible Missouri college.  But remember, the most important thing you can tell them is your own personal story about why you chose to attend a Missouri college and what Access Missouri means to you. 

The threat at hand is to limit access to students attending independent colleges and universities, but even students attending public institutions should take action to ensure that no changes are made to Access Missouri. 

• Access Missouri is our state’s way of enabling students with demonstrated financial need to attend college. Students receiving Access Missouri who choose independent institutions have a lower family income than those who choose to attend public ones. For FY 2009, the average adjusted gross family income of Access Missouri recipients attending four-year independent institutions was only $42,620; while it was $45,546 for those enrolled at four-year public institutions.
• Access Missouri is doing what it was designed to do – providing tens of thousands of students with demonstrated financial need with access to a higher education in our state.  Any effort to dismantle Access Missouri hurts those who need it the most.
• Missouri shouldn’t balance its budget on the backs of its neediest students.  Governor Nixon's proposal would make Missouri the only state in the country that does not provide financial aid to students attending independent institutions. Keep Access Missouri in place to help all Missouri students attend any eligible Missouri college.
• With an economy in crisis, now is not the time to turn students away from Missouri colleges and universities. Twenty-two of the 30 fastest growing careers require some post-secondary education.  Many students are not going to be able to borrow their way out of this predicament if Access Missouri is scaled back. They are already borrowing the maximum in federally subsidized loans. Private loans are difficult to obtain due to the banking crisis. All of us should have a chance to go to college.

Tips for Writing a Letter to Policymakers

• State who you are and why you are writing in the first paragraph. Let them know that you live in their district.Legislators receive a lot of mail, and letters from constituents are important to them. Gov. Nixon’s proposal would make Missouri the only state in the country that does not provide financial aid to students attending independent institutions. Access Missouri and other financial aid programs are critical for Missouri's students like me.
• Share your story. Explain in your own words why you support Access Missouri and how it benefits you or someone close to you.
• Be brief. A one-page letter is sufficient and is strongly encouraged. If it is longer, you run the risk of it not being read thoroughly. 
• Review our Talking Points for key facts to include in your letter.
• Avoid personal attacks. Focus on our positive messages and avoid name-calling.
• Look at the sample letter to legislators or sample letter to Governor for points to include in your letter. It is intended as a guide, so please do not copy it verbatim.
• Use the appropriate title. All State legislators should be addressed as, Dear Representative/Senator (Last Name) and the Governor should be addressed as Dear Governor Nixon:
• Ask for a response. Having them contact you keeps the communication flowing.
• Sign your letter and include a return address.
• Carefully review your letter. Make sure it is clear and easy to read, and that there are no spelling errors.