Education Benefits for Veterans in Missouri
3 Education benefits for veterans in Missouri.
Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act
Caps tuition at Missouri public colleges and universities for eligible combat veterans, applied after other financial aid. Graduate tuition is capped at no more than 30 percent of the cost of tuition and fees.
Eligibility: Combat veterans (including Reserve/Guard called to active combat service for more than 30 consecutive days) who were Missouri residents at time of service; must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Undergraduate eligibility runs 10 years from last discharge (20 years for graduate).
Estimated value: Undergraduate tuition capped at $50 per credit hour
How to apply: Apply through the veterans or financial aid office at your Missouri public institution; program administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant Program
Education grant for the children and spouses of Missouri combat veterans who died or were disabled (60 percent or greater) as a result of combat, or whose death was determined by the VA to be service-connected.
Eligibility: Children and spouses of Missouri resident combat veterans deployed on or after 9/11/2001 (or other qualifying combat service) whose death/injury resulted from combat; student must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Limited by statute to 25 recipients per year.
Estimated value: Tuition (up to University of Missouri-Columbia resident rate), up to $2,000/semester room and board, plus up to $500 for books
How to apply: Apply through the Missouri Student Financial Aid Portal; administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
Operation Recognition Honorary High School Diploma
Provides honorary high school diplomas to Missouri veterans and civilian former prisoners of war who left high school before graduating to serve in the military.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans (and civilian POWs) who are current or former Missouri residents and did not return to complete high school after service; family may apply on behalf of a deceased veteran.
How to apply: Submit an application with a copy of your DD-214/discharge papers to the Missouri Veterans Commission; forms are available through DESE and the Commission.