Scholarships
Scholarships are education funds that don’t have to be repaid. Scholarship eligibility is based on the following factors:
- Merit (academic achievement, athletic skills, community service, etc.)
- Need (financial need, hardship, etc.)
- Special characteristics (ethnicity, place of residence, intended major, etc.)
Mizzou scholarships
Automatic awards
Once you apply and are admitted, you’ll automatically be considered for a range of scholarships. In fact, 4 out of 5 Mizzou students receive some form of assistance through grants, scholarships, loans or other aid. And in recent years, MU has awarded nearly $130 million in undergraduate grants and scholarships.
Automatic awards for Missouri residents
These awards are available to students enrolling at Mizzou the first semester after high school graduation. They are renewable provided certain criteria are met. Unless otherwise noted, none of these scholarships may be combined with any other awards.
| AUTOMATIC AWARDS | AMOUNT PER YEAR | MINIMUM CRITERIA | ADDITIONAL CRITERIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Award | $6,500 | 31–36 ACT or 1390–1600 SAT | — |
| Curators Scholars Award | $4,500 | 28–30 ACT or 1300–1380 SAT | — |
| Excellence Award | $3,000 | 25–27 ACT or 1200–1290 SAT | — |
| Missouri Land Grant | 100% of unmet need for tuition and fees | For Pell-eligible students | Must submit FAFSA to MU by Feb. 1. Also available to transfer students. |
| Missouri Land Grant Honors | 100% of unmet need for tuition, fees, housing & dining | For Pell-eligible students | Must submit FAFSA to MU by Feb. 1 and be admitted to the Honors College. Also available to transfer students. |
| National Merit Finalist Scholarship | 100% tuition & fees + $3,500 additional stipend + $10,786 one-year on-campus housing and dining + $2,000 (one-time payment) for research/study abroad + $1,000 (one-time payment) for tech enrichment |
Deemed a National Merit Finalist by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) | Declare the University of Missouri first choice with NMSC |
| National Merit Semifinalist Scholarship | 100% tuition & fees + $2,000 (one-time payment) for research/study abroad |
Deemed a National Merit Semifinalist by NMSC | — |
Other awards for Missouri residents
These awards are available to students enrolling at Mizzou the first semester after high school graduation. These awards are renewable provided certain criteria are met. They may be combined with the automatic awards for Missouri Residents listed above.
| OTHER AWARDS | AMOUNT PER YEAR | MINIMUM CRITERIA | ADDITIONAL CRITERIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Flight | $2,700–$3,000 (estimated) | Awarded by the State of Missouri | — |
| CAFNR Award | $1,000 | Automatically awarded to students with the Chancellor’s Award or Curators Scholars Award who choose a degree in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. | Awarded until Jan. 1. |
Automatic awards for Nonresidents
These awards are available to students enrolling at Mizzou the first semester after high school graduation. These awards are renewable provided certain criteria are met. Unless otherwise noted, none of these scholarships may be combined with any other awards.
| AUTOMATIC AWARDS | AMOUNT PER YEAR | MINIMUM CRITERIA | ADDITIONAL CRITERIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Twain Level 1 | 100% nonresident fee waiver approximately $15,838 |
30–36 ACT or 1360–1600 SAT | — |
| Mark Twain Level 2 | $7,000 | 27–29 ACT or 1260–1350 SAT | — |
| Border State Award* | $2,500 | 25–29 ACT or 1200–1350 SAT | Live in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Tennessee |
| Black & Gold Level 1 | 100% nonresident fee waiver approximately $15,838 |
27–36 ACT or 1260–1600 SAT | Have a biological, adoptive or stepparent who graduated from the University of Missouri |
| Black & Gold Level 2 | 50% nonresident fee waiver approximately $7,919 |
25–26 ACT or 1200–1250 SAT | Have a biological, adoptive or stepparent who graduated from the University of Missouri |
| *Border State Award can only be combined with Mark Twain Level 2 or Black & Gold Level 2. | |||
Competitive awards
Some scholarships are based on academic achievement, while others are specific to departments and programs. Some competitive awards require additional application materials and may have varying deadlines.
Competitive awards for both Missouri residents and Nonresidents
These awards are available to students enrolling at Mizzou the first semester after high school graduation. They are renewable provided certain criteria are met. Unless otherwise noted, none of these scholarships may be combined with any other awards.
| COMPETITIVE AWARDS | AMOUNT PER YEAR | MINIMUM CRITERIA | ADDITIONAL CRITERIA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamps Scholars Award | Full Scholarship (up to estimated cost of attendance) + one-time award $16,000 for academic development and leadership |
32–36 ACT or 1420–1600 SAT and 3.5 core GPA |
Must be admitted to Mizzou and the Honors College by Dec. 1. A resume, essays and recommendation letters are due by Dec. 1. The most distinguished applicants will become finalists and will be required to attend a two-day on-campus event and interview. |
| Mizzou Scholars Award (Missouri only) |
$10,000 | Must be a Missouri resident with 33–36 ACT or 1450–1600 SAT and excellent academic record | An application for admission, a résumé and essay must be submitted by Dec. 15. A committee will review candidates’ credentials and supplemental material. Strongest consideration will be given to the strength of the academic record. |
| George C. Brooks Scholar Award | Missouri: $7,500
Nonresident: $7,500 + 100% |
Membership in a racial or ethnic minority group that is underrepresented in relation to the University’s goal to achieve education benefits of a diverse student body, high ACT or SAT scores, and an excellent academic record | An application for admission and required materials must be submitted by Dec. 15. |
| Diversity Award | Missouri: $2,500
Nonresident: 100% nonresident fee waiver (approximately $15,838) |
Membership in a racial or ethnic minority group that is underrepresented in relation to the University’s goal to achieve education benefits of a diverse student body | Recipients are automatically screened upon admission and selected based on high school class rank, ACT or SAT scores, and grades in college prep courses. |
MU Annual Scholarship Application
You aren’t automatically considered for every scholarship at Mizzou. There are several departmental scholarships that you must apply for. To be eligible for these scholarships, you must submit the MU Annual Scholarship Application by Dec. 15.
Apply to Mizzou by Dec. 1 to get access to the scholarship application.
FAFSA
Mizzou gives out many scholarships based on financial need. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline on Feb. 1 to be considered for these scholarships.
Other information
Private scholarships
Check out the Office of Student Financial Aid’s guide to private scholarships to see a list of organizations that provide online scholarship resources and search services.
When looking for scholarship search services, always be aware of any potential scams.
Find Every Dollar
Take advantage of all the opportunities to help pay for college. Maximize the amount of financial aid you receive by following the steps laid out on the costs and aid page.
Dates & deadlines
Recommended apply-by date for scholarships*
Dec. 1
You can apply to Mizzou at any time, but you should apply for admission by Dec. 1 to ensure you are able to apply for general and departmental scholarships by Dec. 15. Learn how to Apply.
Once you’ve applied to Mizzou, submit your scholarship application by Dec. 15.
*Transfer students should submit their applications by Jan. 15 to ensure you are able to apply for general and departmental scholarships by Feb. 1.
Apply for general and departmental scholarships*
Dec. 15
Submit the MU Annual Scholarship application by the Dec. 15 priority deadline. You have to submit the application for admission first. (We recommend applying for admission by Dec. 1.)
*For transfer students, the MU Annual Scholarship priority deadline is Feb. 1.
Transfer student scholarship deadline
Feb. 1
Scholarship applications for transfer students are due. Apply for transfer scholarships.