OSAGE BEACH, MO — Parents of high school juniors and seniors across Missouri need to be aware of a powerful resource that can significantly reduce the cost of a college education: the Missouri A+ Scholarship Program.
This merit-based scholarship provides substantial financial aid for students attending public community colleges and vocational/technical schools. Additionally, the benefit is greater than ever for those planning to attend State Fair Community College.
What is the A+ Scholarship Program?
The A+ Program is a state initiative that awards scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools. By maintaining set standards in academics, attendance, behavior, and mentorship during high school, students can earn funds that cover tuition and certain fees at participating institutions.
"The A+ Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship that provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend participating public community colleges or vocational/technical schools, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools," according to the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development.
SFCC's Key Advantage: Tuition Coverage Waiver
While the A+ scholarship typically pays up to a state-determined maximum reimbursement rate,State Fair Community College has secured a crucial benefit for its students: the A+ reimbursement cap waiver for several high-demand programs.
This means that students pursuing degrees in these approved programs at SFCC will receive100% tuition coverage from A+ funds, regardless of whether the college's tuition rate is higher than the state's maximum reimbursement cap.
Examples of programs eligible for the full tuition waiver at SFCC include:
- Nursing
- Dental Hygiene
- Sonography
- Radiology
- Automotive Technology
- Computer and Network Administration
- Multiple Industrial Technology programs
For A+ students attending SFCC, the scholarship covers full tuition and technology fees, making a career-focused education highly accessible and affordable.
A+ Eligibility Checklist for High School Students
To qualify for this significant financial aid, high school students must meet all the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Enter into a written A+ agreement with the high school prior to graduation.
- Attend an A+ designated high school for two years prior to graduation.
- Graduate with an overall unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12.
- Complete at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring (up to 25% may be job shadowing).
- Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs/alcohol while in grades 9-12.
- Achieve a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I end-of-course exam or an equivalent DESE-approved math exam.
Next Steps for Families
Parents seeking more information on the Missouri A+ Program should contact their high school’s counseling department.
To learn more about degree programs and the A+ full tuition waiver at State Fair Community College, visit sfccmo.edu or stop by the SFCC Lake of the Ozarks Campus (located in the Stone Crest Mall, across from Hyvee in Osage Beach).
