The Missouri Blue Scholarship is a law enforcement basic training academy scholarship that makes up to $5,000 available for each selected non-sponsored* law enforcement academy recruit to help cover the cost of attending a Missouri basic training academy. Prior to submitting an application, contact the basic law enforcement academy to confirm the academy start date, the cost of the basic academy, and any financial aid you will receive that does not have to be repaid, such as a Federal Pell Grant.

You can apply for the Missouri Blue Scholarship prior to the start of basic training, but you must be attending a basic training academy to receive the Blue Scholarship. Only one scholarship application should be submitted per person. You will receive a confirmation email once your scholarship application has been received.

*A non-sponsored law enforcement academy recruit is one whose tuition is not being paid by a law enforcement agency. Recruits who attend an academy affiliated with a law enforcement agency and do not pay tuition are not eligible for the Blue Scholarship.

Governor Mike Parson included, and the Missouri General Assembly approved, a total of $2 million in Missouri Blue Scholarship funding in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget.

The $5,000 scholarship is paid directly to the law enforcement academy.

• Missouri Blue Scholarships are awarded first come, first served.
• Must be a Missouri resident.
• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must be 21 or older on date recruit takes the Missouri POST license examination.
• Missouri Blue Scholarship recipients’ training academy class must begin by June 1, 2024.

Training assistance may be available to those who are unemployed or underemployed, seeking employment in high-growth occupations or seeking employment in high-demand occupations. To learn more about these options, visit your local Job Center.

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a program designed to provide adults with the education and skills needed to enter the workforce in fields that are in high demand.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be either
  • At least 25 years old, or
  • If you are a student, have not enrolled in an educational program (high school or postsecondary) in the last two years, or
  • If you are an apprentice, have not been enrolled in a postsecondary program in the last two years, unless the program relates to your current apprenticeship.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be a Missouri resident, an active duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri, or the spouse of an active duty military member.
  • If you are a student who is a Missouri resident, you must have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
  • Apprentices need to be a Missouri resident, but do not need to be a resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
• Have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), if applicable.  Check with your provider to see if a FAFSA® is required to determine your Fast Track award.
• Have a federal adjusted gross income as documented on your most recent Missouri 1040 Individual Income Tax Return (or federal 1040 form if you’re active duty military) of either:
  • $80,000 or less if your tax filing status is married filing jointly, or
  • $40,000 or less for any other tax filing status.
• For students, enroll in an eligible program at least half-time.
• For apprentices, be formally participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved and DHEWD designated apprenticeship and meeting any requirements defined by your apprenticeship provider.
• Have not yet received a bachelor’s degree.

Applying for Federal Student Aid is simple and free. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you will be considered for all forms of federally-funded grants, loans and work-study assistance. Please use our step-by-step application process.

Missouri Western’s School Code for FAFSA: 002490

Please note, only those who are admitted as degree-seeking students will qualify for scholarship and grant opportunities through Missouri Western.

To explore Scholarship and Grant options, please visit this page: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/finaid/scholarship-opportunities/

Alternative Loans are private loans designed to help students with educational expenses that exceed other available assistance. You are strongly encouraged to exhaust Federal loan eligibility before considering private loans.

Various lenders provide different types of loans as well as broad terms and interest rates. For this reason, we advise all borrowers considering alternative loans to research the market and choose the loan program that is right for their specific circumstances.

These loans are credit based and as such are not guaranteed to all borrowers. Additionally, they cannot be consolidated with Federal Student Loans and the interest rates are based on credit and lender policy.

The lenders included in Missouri Western’s preferred list, were selected based on product, performance and customer service. Missouri Western does not have any agreements with these lenders, nor do we receive any benefits when a student selects a specific lender. The lenders names are provided in random rotating order. If you wish to use an alternative lender that is not on this list, you are encouraged to do so.

Access Missouri Western’s Private Lender List

While Missouri Western is pleased to notify our students of scholarships offered by private donors, we ask that you exercise caution. Many scholarship scams exist. You should thoroughly research each scholarship opportunity BEFORE applying.

Important Nevers:

• NEVER provide your credit/debit card information.
• NEVER apply for a scholarship that charges an application fee.
• NEVER provide your social security number, date of birth or other personally identifiable information.

Don’t become a victim of a scam or identity theft. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Please refer to our Private Donor drop down here: https://www.missouriwestern.edu/finaid/scholarship-opportunities/