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Missouri offers a lot of choice to students looking for affordable college education. Big public names like the University of Missouri in Columbia (UM) and Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield are options. But you may also want to consider smaller state universities and technological institutions. State financial aid is respectable, if not overly generous, and there are some pretty strong loan repayment programs for health professionals. Even better, the average cost of living in the biggest cities is below the national average.
A 180-acre campus that traces its origin to 1867, Truman State University has an average student population of 6,000 and offers 48 undergraduate majors, 58 minors, 8 undergraduate programs, 2 graduate certificate programs and several pre-professional areas of study. Admitted freshmen with outstanding academic achievements are automatically considered for several scholarships including the following: General John J. Pershing Scholarship (full tuition, room and board, one-time $4,000 study abroad stipend), Truman Leadership Scholarship (full in-state tuition, room and board), Missouri Boy's State/Missouri Girl's State Scholarship ($1,000/year), and the International Baccalaureate Scholarship ($2,000/year). Incoming freshmen who are National Merit Finalists who designated Truman as their first-choice school are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship, which awards scholarships with varying amounts up to full tuition.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
6,208 Students
Founded in 1905 as a teacher's college, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri currently offers 135 undergraduate programs and 36 graduate programs. Institutional grants or scholarships are provided to 90% of full-time beginning undergraduates, with students receiving an average institutional gift award of $4,411. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for 12 scholarships, including the $5,000 President's Scholarship, the $3,500 Distinguished Scholarship, the $2,500 Tower Scholarship and the $1,000 Freshman Merit Award. Transfer students are also eligible for several admission-based scholarships like the $5,000 President's Scholarship, the $2,500 Transfer Distinguished Scholarship, the $1,500 Transfer Academic Scholarship and the $1,000 Transfer Merit Scholarship. Northwest Missouri State also offers institutional need-based grants, like the Bearcat Grant and the Northwest Grant.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
6,593 Students
The 13,000 students of the University of Central Missouri come from nearly every state and from 50 countries all over the world. Incoming freshmen who are Missouri residents can apply for the Red & Black Scholarship, the value of which may be determined by the UCM Scholarship Eligibility Calculator. Admitted non-resident freshmen can apply for the Non-Resident Scholar Award, which covers 25, 50, or 100 percent of non-resident fees. Transfer students from a community college can apply for the Community College Transfer Student Scholarship ($1,000 per semester), while transfer students from a 4-year college or university can apply for the Transfer Student Scholarship ($500 per semester).
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
14,395 Students
Missouri Southern State University in Joplin awards bachelor's and master's degrees and is best known for its teacher education program. The university awards $4.4 million annually in scholarship money. High-achieving high school seniors can apply for the Presidential Scholarship ($1,750 a year) or Excellence Scholarship ($1,300 a year). Several scholarships are designated for transfer students. Need-based grants available to MSSU students include the federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Access Missouri Grant, and the TEACH Grant for education majors. Residents of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota or Wisconsin automatically gain Midwest Students Exchange Program Awards, which are equal to half of the out-of-state portion of tuition. The university administers an interest-free tuition payment plan.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
5,783 Students
Founded in 1870, Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri was the first technological institution west of the Mississippi. Institutional grants or scholarships are provided to 91% of full-time beginning undergraduates with students receiving an average award of $6,723. Incoming freshmen are automatically considered for merit-based awards like the Excellence Scholarship, which provides $5,500+ per year to Missouri residents and $11,000+ per year to non-Missouri residents. Additionally, the Trustee's Scholarship provides $4,000+ to Missouri residents and $10,000+ to non-Missouri residents, while the Miner Scholarship provides $2,000+ to Missouri residents and $7,000+ to non-Missouri residents. Freshmen are also eligible for the highly competitive Chancellor's Scholarship, which provides $12,000 per year to 15 students.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
8,886 Students
The University of Missouri in Columbia is the state's largest public research university and offers its 35,000 students more than 300 degree programs through 19 colleges and schools. Incoming freshmen with excellent academic backgrounds are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships such as the Mizzou Scholars Award ($10,000/year) and the Chancellor's Award ($6,500/year). The Quadrangle Award ($2,000/year) supports home-schooled freshmen or graduates of non-accredited high schools who are Missouri residents. Beginning students from under-represented ethnic groups (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander) are considered for the following scholarships: Dr. Donald Suggs Scholarship ($12,500/year), George C. Brooks Scholarship ($7,500/year) and the Diversity Award ($2,500/year). Non-resident beneficiaries of these three programs also receive a waiver of non-resident tuition (approximately $14,000).
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
35,424 Students
Missouri State University-Springfield is part of a four-campus system that has an enrollment of over 24,000 students, making it the second largest university system in the state. Institutional grants or scholarships are awarded to 48% of full-time beginning undergraduates, and incoming freshmen are eligible for numerous institutionally funded and donor funded scholarships through the university. Students that rank in the top 10% of their high school class or have a 3.9 GPA are eligible for the $12,500 per year Presidential Scholarship and the $2,000 per year University Scholarship. Students who have also earned a minimum ACT score of 28 are eligible for the Board of Governors Scholarship, which provides $5,000 per year for four-years.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
22,273 Students
UMKC is a state school, so Missouri residents always get the lowest advertised rate, as do students from 11 counties in neighboring Kansas. Denizens of states that participate in the Midwest Student Exchange Program have a sticker price somewhere between the resident and nonresident rates. Speaking of which, part-timers pursuing just three credits during an eight-week term or six credits during a 16-week term can waive their nonresident education fees. Local freshmen and transfers can win automatic scholarships, with students from area high schools snagging renewable $1,000 awards. Missourians who score 23 on the ACT or rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class qualify for the $2,500 Chancellor's Scholar Award, also renewable.
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
16,685 Students
In Missouri, students are able to transfer general education courses in a block of courses that is widely accepted. The state also offers an associate of arts degree with guaranteed transfer, plus a course equivalency guide for researching potential transfer opportunities.
Missouri students can complete a block of general education credit for transfer. This 42 hour minimum block of courses is transferable among a number of two and four year public institutions in Missouri, and typically satisfies the general education requirements with most institutions. However, some institutions require credits above the 42 hour minimum and may require additional course work to satisfy general education requirements.
If students complete an associate of arts degree in Missouri, that degree is guaranteed to transfer to a four year college or university in the state. The degree is designed as a general studies transfer degree. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all institutions will grant associate’s degree holders with junior status, as graduation requirements may vary.
Students can use the Missouri Department of Higher Education Course Equivalency guide to research how courses they’ve completed may be accepted at a new institution.
Your journey to a cheaper college degree doesn’t have to stop with federal aid. For all the latest on state aid, check out the Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) website.
Along with a complete list of state grants & scholarships and descriptions of other student aid programs available to Missouri residents, MDHE has advice on federal student loans, a page devoted to Veterans’ Educational Programs and a long list of links & resources. We particularly like MDHE’s targeted Missouri College & Degree Search. You can monitor payments & eligibility for some state student financial aid programs (e.g. Bright Flight) through the MDHE Student Portal.
Most Missouri state aid packages use federal aid data to determine a student’s eligibility, so it’s very important to file your FAFSA! Need help with the form? MDHE runs free FAFSA Frenzy events in schools and community organizations across 47 counties. Students who participate are eligible to win a scholarship for attendance in a Missouri postsecondary program. Call MDHE’s toll-free line at 800-473-6757 if you have any questions.
Summary: Access Missouri is a need-based grant awarded to students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $12,000 or less, as calculated by the FAFSA. The grant can be used at a variety of participating postsecondary schools, including public and private colleges & universities throughout Missouri.
The annual award amount will depend on your EFC and your choice of school. In 2016, awards ranged from $300-$1,300 for a public two-year school, $1,500-$2,850 for a public four-year or state technical college and $1,500-$2,850 for a private institution.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must:
The Access Missouri webpage has more details on exceptions, transfers, grant renewal requirements and details about how other aid will affect the grant.
How to Apply: File your FAFSA. There is no separate application form required.
Summary: This is a one-time, non-renewable grant given to Missouri public high school students who take—and score well on—Advanced Placement (AP) tests in math and science.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll receive a grant of $500 for education-related expenses at your postsecondary school.
Eligibility: You must:
How to Apply: Complete the Advanced Placement Incentive Grant Application and return it to MDHE. You will need to have a copy of your Advanced Placement Score Report from The College Board with your exam scores.
Summary: This grant provides tuition assistance to the families of certain public employees who have been killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty or to disabled public safety officers themselves.
The maximum award amount per semester covers actual tuition for 12 credit hours of full-time study at a participating Missouri postsecondary school, or the equivalent resident tuition rate for 12 credit hours at UM-Columbia, whichever is less.
Eligibility: To qualify for the public employee definition, you must:
You must also:
The grant webpage has more details on the precise definition of a “public safety officer,” renewals, transfers and eligibility.
How to Apply: Complete the Public Safety Officer or Employee’s Child Survivor Grant Program Application and return it to the MDHE. There’s no deadline, but early application is encouraged.
Summary: This scholarship is awarded to graduates of A+ designated high schools who enroll in a degree or certificate program at a participating community college or vocational/technical school. This list includes some private two-year vocational/technical schools.
Generally speaking, the award covers the unpaid balance of your tuition & fees after all available, non-loan federal financial assistance (e.g. the Pell Grant) has been applied to your account. Awards are capped at a certain amount—the average award tends to be around $2,500 per year.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must:
The A+ Scholarship webpage has more details on eligibility, exceptions, renewals, transfers, deferments and award amounts.
How to Apply: File your FAFSA and check with your community college or vocational/technical school to see what materials they require in order to confirm your eligibility. In most cases, your college will require an A+ seal/stamp on your high school transcript. Contact your high school A+ Coordinator with questions.
Summary: This merit-based scholarship is designed to encourage top-ranked high school seniors to attend a Missouri college or university. “Top-ranked” means that—compared to test results from all Missouri students—you scored in the top 3% on the ACT or SAT.
The highest scoring scholars (e.g. 31 or above on ACT) can receive up to $3,000 per year. The scholarship can be renewed annually for up to 10 semesters, or until you have completed a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must:
The Bright Flight Scholarship webpage has more details on exceptions, grant amounts, qualifying scores, transfers, deferments and renewals.
How to Apply: Take the ACT or SAT exam and always choose at least one approved Missouri school. If you get into the top ranks of qualifying scores, you’ll receive an approval letter from the MDHE in the spring of your senior year in high school. You can also check your eligibility on the MDHE Student Portal.
Summary: This need-based scholarship is only awarded to children of workers who were seriously injured or died in a work-related accident. Eligible students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $12,000 or less can receive help with tuition & fees at a participating Missouri postsecondary school.
The maximum annual award covers resident tuition & fees or the maximum private scholarship amount (~$2,500) available to students through Kids’ Chance, Inc. of Missouri, whichever is less. The scholarship can be renewed until you turn 22.
Eligibility: You must:
MDHE partners with Kids’ Chance, Inc. of Missouri to identify eligible students. If you do not receive the state Kids’ Chance scholarship because of limited state funding, you may be able to receive the private Kids’ Chance scholarship.
Check the scholarship webpage for more details on renewals, transfers, overawards and eligibility.
How to Apply: File your FAFSA. You must also complete a separate Kids’ Chance Scholarship Application. There is only one application that covers both the state and private scholarship.
Summary: This is a need-based scholarship awarded to Missouri residents who are employed while attending a participating Missouri postsecondary school on a part-time basis.
The maximum award amount per semester will depend on your school’s tuition rate. See the scholarship webpage for more details.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must:
The scholarship webpage has more details on eligibility, exceptions, renewals, transfers and award amounts.
How to Apply: File your FAFSA. You should also speak to your advisor in the Financial Aid Office and provide him/her with a completed Marguerite Ross Barnett Employment Verification Form each year.
Summary: This scholarship is aimed at talented minority and underrepresented Missouri students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an environmental course of study a participating Missouri postsecondary school. This degree should lead to employment in a field that is clearly environmentally-related. Examples of accepted majors include engineering, geology, wildlife management, natural resource planning, etc.
Members of the following groups have award priority:
The average annual award is ~$3,000.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must
The scholarship webpage has more details on renewals, transfers and award amounts.
How to Apply: You must complete a Minority and Underrepresented Environmental Literacy Application each year and submit it to MDHE. You’ll need to include a variety of support materials (e.g. ACT/SAT scores, letters of recommendation, personal essay, etc.).
Summary: This loan forgiveness program is designed to attract talented minority individuals into the teaching profession. Students enrolled in approved teacher education programs at participating Missouri postsecondary schools receive funds to assist with educational expenses. In return for this scholarship, students must agree to teach on a full-time basis for five years in a Missouri public elementary or secondary school.
The maximum award per year is $3,000 (up to $12,000 total). The state provides $2,000 of the award as a forgivable loan; the remaining $1,000 is provided by the school in the form of a scholarship (i.e. it does not require repayment). However, you can’t receive the school scholarship separately. If you fail to complete your college program or do not fulfill the teaching requirement, the state award converts to a loan, which you must repay with 9.5% interest.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must:
The Minority Teaching Scholarship webpage has more details on obligations, repayment terms, renewals, transfers and the application procedure.
How to Apply: Complete the Minority Teaching Scholarship Application. You don’t need to resubmit the application to renew the award.
Summary: This program provides financial assistance (i.e. help with repaying education loans) to qualifying health professionals who agree to practice for two years in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in Missouri.
You can apply for up to $50,000 in education loan repayments.
Eligibility: You must:
How to Apply: Complete the Application for the Missouri Health Professional Loan Repayment Program.
Summary: This program provides forgivable loans to students pursuing careers as licensed practical nurses or professional nurses in underserved areas of Missouri. Recipients can have these loans forgiven if they agree to provide full-time, direct patient care at any hospital in the State of Missouri or any facility located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in Missouri.
The maximum annual loan amount is $2,500 for LPN students and $5,000 for professional nursing students (Diploma, ADN, BSN, MSN, APN, DNP). Forgiveness is based on the number of loans received—one year of service for one loan, two years for two loans, etc. If you do not fulfill the work requirement, you must repay each loan with 9.5% simple interest.
Eligibility: You must:
How to Apply: Complete the Health Professional Student Loan Universal Application.
Summary: The NLRP provides financial assistance (i.e. help with repaying education loans) to practicing nurses who agree to work in communities and/or facilities that are experiencing nursing shortages in Missouri. In other words, a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).
Doctoral nurses and advanced practice nurses can apply for loan repayments of up to $10,000 per year. Primary care registered nurses can apply for loan repayments of up to $5,000 per year.
Eligibility: You must:
How to Apply: Complete the Application for the Missouri Health Professional Loan Repayment Program.
Summary: PRIMO awards forgivable loans to students pursuing healthcare training leading to Missouri licensure. Recipients can have these loans forgiven if they agree to provide full-time, direct patient care at a facility located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) in Missouri. Eligible disciplines include primary care physicians, primary care dentists and dental hygienists.
Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000 per year. Forgiveness is based on the number of loans received—one year of service for one loan, two years for two loans, etc. (Even if you receive more than five loans, employment is capped at five years.) If you do not fulfill the work requirement, you must repay each loan with 9.5% simple interest.
Eligibility: You must:
The Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) has answers to PRIMO FAQs.
How to Apply: Complete the Health Professional Student Loan Universal Application.
Summary: This act limits tuition charges at Missouri public colleges and universities (no more than $50 per credit hour) for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001. Veterans should be enrolled in an undergraduate certificate or degree program.
The maximum award amount is based on your current enrollment and other financial assistance (e.g. grants and scholarships) for tuition & fees.
Eligibility: You must:
Veterans remain eligible for ten years after honorable discharge.
How to Apply: Talk to the Veterans Coordinator at your college/university for assistance. The Financial Aid Office will have an application form.
Summary: This state program provides 100% tuition assistance for Missouri National Guard students with 10 years or less of military service and 50% tuition assistance for students with 10-17 years of service.
Tuition is paid at the rate of $245.60 per credit hour. The program covers up to 39 credit hours per year (15 credit hours for fall/15 credit hours for spring/9 credit hours for summer).
Eligibility: You must:
Soldiers who have not completed AIT, BOLC, or OCS are eligible to use State TA prior to applying for and using Federal TA. Soldiers who meet the one year requirement after completion of AIT, BOLC or OCS must apply and use Federal TA first. Talk to the Missouri National Guard for more details on eligibility requirements and exceptions.
How to Apply: Complete the State Tuition Assistance Application from the Missouri National Guard.
Summary: This grant is available to children and spouses of veterans whose deaths or injuries were a result of combat action or attributed to an illness contracted while serving in combat action and veterans who are 80% disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since September 11, 2001. The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when first entering the military service or at the time of death or injury.
The maximum grant award covers the actual tuition charged for the number of hours in which you are enrolled or the amount of tuition charged to a Missouri resident who is enrolled in the same number of hours at the University of Missouri Columbia, whichever is less. There is an allowance of up to $2,000 per semester for room & board and up to $500 for books. Up to 25 grants are awarded each year.
Eligibility: Most importantly, you must:
More info about renewal requirements, transfers and the application procedure can be found on the grant webpage.
How to Apply: Complete the Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant Program Application and return it to MDHE. Renewal students and students with the earliest application received dates have priority.
Contact the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) for more information on federal education benefits (e.g. GI Bill) and state initiatives.
College can put a huge strain on the family budget. We talk about various ways to save in our sections, but you may also wish to visit the Family Support Division (FSD) of the Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS). The FSD administers programs like food stamps, child care assistance, energy assistance and more. You can use the Pre-Eligibility Tool to see if you qualify for state aid before you apply for benefits & services.
Not eligible for state benefits? Call 2-1-1 or visit the website of 211 Missouri/Illinois. 211 is a free service (run by United Way) that connects you to all kinds of community agencies and non-profit organizations. Resource specialists can refer you to affordable education & vocational programs, job training, child care support, rent & utility assistance, food pantries—the list goes on. Your local Community Action Agency will also have info on low-income programs in your area.
Room & board is always going to be one of your biggest annual expenses. Living in a dorm has great upsides—e.g. you’re not paying for commuting costs, rooms are typically furnished, utilities are included in the room rate, etc.—but universities continue to hike their prices.
To find out whether dorm living will be affordable, check the rates section on your university website. You can also use online college budget calculators (e.g. MappingYourFuture.org and CalcXML.com) to help you compare on-campus costs (meal plans, dorm fees, etc.) with off-campus bills (rent, gas, utilities, etc.).
Ask if your school has a residency requirement. For example, all first-time MU students who are less than 20 years of age must spend their freshman year in campus housing; Missouri S&T freshmen, sophomores and students under the age of 21 are required to live in residence halls or in university-approved housing.
Worried that you can’t afford anything? Talk to your high school guidance counselor, your school’s residential life/housing coordinator and/or someone at the Financial Aid Office. You may be eligible for private & institutional scholarships or work-study programs that can help cover the cost of campus housing.
Finding affordable off-campus housing in Missouri requires a bit of research. If you go to a commuter school—universities will little or no campus housing (e.g. UMSL)—your choice is made for you. If you go to a big state school in a large city, you’ll probably find a lot of price variation. For instance, student apartment buildings have sprouted like weeds around MSU and UM. Some are like luxury hotels; some allow you to rent by the bedroom and come with all expenses included.
One place to begin your quest is the off-campus housing section of your school’s website. Most universities are pretty good about providing rental advice, resources and links to local listings. For example, SLU has a large directory of Off-Campus Housing Options and UM has an entire website devoted to Off-Campus Student Services. UM’s great checklists and worksheets (e.g. property comparison, household budget, property condition, etc.) are available for anyone to use.
You can expand your search by using Craigslist, campus-focused rental sites (e.g. CampusRent.com, ApartmentGuide.com, MyApartmentMap.com, etc.) and local messageboards. Unfortunately, because rents are almost always higher near campus, many low-income students end up in properties farther away. So keep in mind commuting times & costs. If you run into issues, the Missouri Homeless Shelter Directory on HomelessShelterDirectory.org has a list of emergency shelters and transitional housing opportunities.
Always find out what utilities you are responsible for (e.g. electricity, heat, Internet, etc.) before you sign any lease or rental agreement. You can ask your prospective landlord or former tenants for a monthly estimate of these bills; utility company and city websites will also often have budgeting info. For example, the City of Columbia maintains a searchable database of Historical Electric and Water Usage for Rental Units and has some excellent tips on finding an energy-efficient rental.
Already own or rent your home? Live in a family that’s struggling with the basics? HUD.gov has a list of Missouri organizations that can help with utility bills, including the state-run LIHEAP program. Individual utility companies and the Salvation Army have their own initiatives (e.g. Operation Round Up, Heat Share, iShare, etc.) that are designed to support low-income residents.
Free—or, at least, cheap—medical care will be available at your university’s student health center. At minimum, these centers typically offer basic primary care, vaccinations, STD tests & contraception, help with substance abuse and mental health counseling. The bigger your school, the more services it’s likely to offer. For example, MSU’s Taylor Health & Wellness Center has wellness programs, an in-house radiology department and specialist consultations.
Another option is to try your community. Websites like FreeClinicDirectory.org and NeedyMeds.org maintain directories of Missouri community clinics and health centers that offer free or affordable medical care. Many of these centers offer mental health support, but you can also check the Missouri Department of Mental Health’s list of Community Mental Health Centers. The Mental Health Crisis/Suicide hotline is 1-800-273-8255.
Cheap dental care is a thornier challenge. The Oral Health Network of Missouri (OHNM) has a list of dental clinics that provide services for the uninsured or underinsured, which you can compare with Missouri listings on FreeDentalCare.us. Or you can investigate patient care services at dental schools and dental hygiene programs. For example, because it’s training dentistry students, UMKC’s School of Dentistry is willing to charge patients one-third to one-half the fees of private care.
Thanks to pressure from parents, a number of Missouri colleges now provide campus daycare centers, including MWSU, UMSL, SEMO, MSU and more. Competition for spaces is always impressive, so it pays to apply early. While you’re there, you can also ask the staff if the school has any subsidy or discount programs. For instance, MSU-West Plains has a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program for student parents with immediate financial need.
We’ve mentioned that the state of Missouri has a Child Care Assistance Program, but competition for that can be tough, too. If you get stuck, Child Care Aware of Missouri runs a free referral service and can offer detailed advice on child care costs & financial assistance. You can search for low-cost providers via their online database or call 866-892-3228 to speak with a Referral Specialist directly.
Commuting costs always depend on personal circumstances—if you’ve got multiple part-time jobs or a family, your car is going to be your lifeline. Students in St. Louis may be able to get away with the Metro and sharing rides.
Whatever you choose, we still recommend a brief visit to the transportation section of your university’s website. That’s because this section has info on “hidden” programs you may not know about, including free campus shuttles, rideshares, bike rentals & co-ops, Zipcars, parking discounts, carpools and local transport discounts.
For example, Metro Transit in St. Louis offers Student Semester Passes and U Passes to students of Saint Louis Community College campuses, SIC, UMSL, Washington University and Webster University. National carriers like Greyhound and Amtrak also cut their fare prices for college students. Always ask if deals are available.
You’ll find university-based food pantries at UM, UMSL, UMKC, UCM, MWSU, St. Louis Community College campuses and more. Across the nation, schools are offering discount meal plans, fresh food giveaways and even programs that provide leftover food from dining services to homeless or at-need students. Talk to your Financial Aid office if you’re finding it hard to make ends meet.
Your community will also be there for you. The Feeding Missouri Food Finder is one place to start; FoodPantries.org and HomelessShelterDirectory.org have similar directories. For emergency needs, Operation Food Search runs a Hunger Hotline—314-726-5355 x3—for Missouri residents. Plus, even if you don’t qualify for food stamps, you may be eligible for other state programs. New moms or moms-to-be should check out the Missouri WIC Program.
SEE ALSO: our Encyclopedic Guide to Saving Money as a College Student.
The Paris of the Plains is the most expensive city on our list, but only just. According to Sperling’s Best Places, the overall cost of living is often below the national average. Housing costs are usually the cheapest category in the list; utilities costs are typically the priciest. The city has more miles of freeways per capita than any other 1 million+ metro area, so many students who don’t live right near campus end up driving or ridesharing. UMKC students are a walk away from the Plaza and 10 minutes from downtown.
There are number of organizations committed to getting low-income and mid-income Kansas City residents to college. Here are a few:
Looking for specific social services? United Way of Greater Kansas City has a roll call of city-funded programs, divided by category (e.g. education, income, etc.). The website City of Kansas City, MO also has useful information on utilities, housing, transport and more.
St Louis’s overall cost of living is very similar to Kansas City’s (good news for UMSL students who have to live off campus). The Metro is fairly efficient, which expands your choices of neighborhoods, but watch out for high-crime areas. Also, within the city, renters are not responsible for water, sewer, or trash. If you don’t love the Gateway Arch, you can try the free activities in Forest Park (larger than Central Park) and entertainment options in the Delmar Loop.
St. Louis can be a tough town for folks growing up in low-income areas. If you need a bit of assistance with getting to college, here are a few organizations to explore:
Looking for specific social services? United Way of Greater St. Louis has a long list of member agencies, which you can sort by category. The City of St. Louis also has useful information on utilities, housing, transport and more.
Springfield is a midsize city for those with a midsize budget. The overall cost of living is about the same as St. Louis, and all categories (e.g. utilities, housing, transportation, etc.) are below the national average. A car may not be necessary. MSU’s free shuttle bus—the Bear Line—can take students downtown and to off campus grocery stores. Others use the city bus. The downtown district has undergone a makeover, with artsy shops and coffee houses, and there are plenty of opportunities to escape to nature.
When it comes to preparing for college in Springfield, it pays to think local. Many city-based organizations are happy to help residents (both high school graduates and adult learners) achieve their dreams of higher education.
Looking for specific social services? United Way of the Ozarks serves 14 counties in Southern Missouri and has a list of partner agencies. The City of Springfield, MO also has useful information on utilities, housing, transport and more.