Filing the FAFSA forms by April 1st ensures students are considered for critical aid like the Access Missouri Grant. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) encourages students to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline to be considered for the award. Access Missouri is the state’s primary need-based financial aid program and helps make education and training after high school more affordable.
Access Missouri provided more than $89 million to over 44,000 Missourians during the 2024-2025 academic year. There is no formal application process for the Access Missouri Grant. Eligibility for the program is determined using the information provided on the FAFSA, and awards are available to anyone who qualifies, regardless of age or career goals. Access Missouri can also be combined with other federal and state aid, such as the Pell Grant, to help cover the cost of attendance.
Missourians considering college or training should file the FAFSA to maximize their opportunity to reduce costs with financial aid. The FAFSA is the standard application used to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study, and colleges also use it to award institutional aid. In Missouri, filing the FAFSA is required to be considered for most state financial aid programs, including Access Missouri, the A+ Scholarship Program, and the Fast Track Incentive Grant.