From the next academic year, Southeast Missouri State University students with demonstrated financial need will be able to receive free education.
On Tuesday, the university announced the new Will To Do Award which aims to make college education affordable and accessible throughout the state.
Under the scholarship program, the school will cover the tuition and general fees of eligible Pell students with financial need.
“There is a growing achievement gap on colleges campuses and right here in Missouri. We recognize the urgency in assisting our most financially at-risk students and are allocating our resources to better provide access to higher education in this area,” said Dr. Carlos Vargas, president of Southeast Missouri State University.
The award, which will begin in fall 2020, is a component of Copper Dome Scholarship program launched last year, and it is stackable with other Southeast scholarship offerings.
According to the school, nearly 39 percent of its students qualify for a Federal Pell Grant of $6,195 annually, which is not enough to cover college expenses. With the new scholarship program, the university is expecting to bridge the gap.
“Paying for college can be a challenge. At Southeast, we believe in the value of getting a high-quality education without the high cost,” Vargas added.
In-state students who are eligible for Pell Grant with a minimum 2.75 high school CGPA and planning to enroll full time in fall 2020 are eligible for the scholarship program. FAFSA is required to be on the student’s file by March 1, 2020, and verification and special circumstances must be completed by July 31, 2020.
Colleges Unaffordable for Low Income, Students of Color in Illinois
