Adult Student Services Blog

October News for Adult Students

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Important Dates this Month

  • October 9- Deadline for voter registration in Missouri for the November 2024 election (Paws to the Polls can help you get registered)

  • October 10 and 11- Fall Break (No classes, Offices open)

  • October 11- Return to Learn Scholarship application deadline

  • October 14- Second block classes begin

  • October 19- Homecoming vs. Indiana State Sycamores

  • October 29- MSU Bears Basketball vs. SBU Bearcats

  • October 31- Spring 2025 registration begins*

*Find your earliest registration date and advisor contact info through your Registration Status link on your My Missouri State, or view the Spring Registration Sequence 

It is always a good idea to check in with your advisor before selecting classes for the next semester. Making an appointment ahead of time will ensure you can plan ahead and get the classes you need.

Exciting News!

We are expanding our Adult Student Services Community on Brightspace! We have added an Ask Adult Student Services forum in the Discussion area. You can use this forum to ask us questions and share information with your fellow students. Let us know what you would like to see and how we can help!

If you do not have access to the Adult Student Services Community on Brightspace but would like join, contact HannahSmith@MissouriState.edu.

Resource Spotlight: Dean of Students

The Dean of Students Office can provide practical support for students when the unexpected happens by offering multiple programs and services.

Andrea Weber, Assistant VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students shared this note:

“Happy Fall and welcome from the Dean of Students Office. My name is Andrea Weber, and I serve as the Dean of Students. I am excited you chose to be a bear! The mission of the Dean of Students Office is to assist students in personal and educational goals by removing barriers and providing essential support. Our office lives this mission by the services and resources that we provide. I hope, if you ever need it, you will utilize our services. We are always happy to help.”

Things to Do

  • Join the Fall Walking Challenge October 1-28 and you will have the chance to win a gift card to the MSU Bookstore.

  • The Voting Fair at Plaster Student Union provides voter resources and information.

  • Hospitality Showcase on Tuesday, October 22nd in PSU Grand Ballroom, 1:00pm-3:00pm. Join in the festivities and network!

  • Whether you want to get crafty, see a live performance, enjoy the weather, or make your way down the Cashew Chicken Trail, Springfield is not lacking in October events. Check out the Springfield calendar of events to find your next adventure.

Successful Study Tips

  1. Midterms are around the corner. These tips will help prep you for success!

  2. Spend a  little time each day with material instead of trying to cram before an exam.

  3. Teach what you have learned to someone else. Talking through something can help organize your ideas about a topic.

  4. Draw it out. Whether it’s a graph, flowchart, or silly cartoon, finding different ways to view concepts can help you recall information.

  5. Keep a reading journal Read a section at a time, then write a summary about what you’ve read. This gives your brain a moment to process the information instead of going on autopilot.

  6. Schedule breaks. Set a time and settle in fora focused study with a built-in break. Experts recommend 30-45 minutes of studying with a 10-15 minute break. Knowing there is an end in sight helps you stay focused and avoid distractions.

  7. Don’t forget the resources at MSU! Make an appointment with your instructor to review material, request to meet with a success coach, or utilize the services offered by the BearCLAW. For more tips on successful study habits, visit the Center for Academic Success and Transition.

Go Bears! You’ve got this!

Make the “Golden Years” Brighter – Study Gerontology

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Gerontology – the study of aging – prepares you to engage with, care for, and support middle aged and older adults.

The Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, 21% of the world’s population will be over the age of 65 and that in 2034, older adults in the U.S. will outnumber children for the first time. This means there is and will continue to be a demand for workers with skills and knowledge to support this diverse population. The Missouri State Gerontology program equips students with the necessary tools to work with this population and approaches the field with a positive outlook on aging.  

MSU’s bachelor’s degree in Gerontology was the first program to be certified as a Program of Merit by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education in 1999, and it remains the only bachelor’s degree in Gerontology available in Missouri.  

Pursuing a degree in Gerontology will provide you with an interdisciplinary foundation that will benefit you in your career pursuits – and the opportunity to double major in Gerontology and another program of your choosing can make you even more marketable to recruiters and hiring panels. Students will take courses in communication, psychology, and sociology; at least 9 hours of electives can be from other programs on campus, if the content is related to aging. With an educational background in Gerontology, you’ll be able to work in a variety of career fields: administration, business/finance, education, social services, and health care related fields. The options are almost limitless!

And employers will want to hire you. In an alumni survey, 99% of respondents reported they found a job within three months of graduation. The courses you take will have applicable content to help you in your practicum courses and ultimate career field. Explore Careers and Outcomes. 

Learn more about the Gerontology Program online. 

Gerontology is also available as a minor or undergraduate certificate. 

If you have any questions about Gerontology, contact the program coordinator: Dr. Lisa Hall at LCHall@MissouriState.edu. 

This is one of the many quality programs offered at Missouri State – explore all available programs.

 

Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant Application Now Available!

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Qualifying adult students may receive free tuition with this grant to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. 

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is now available for the 2024-2025 academic year! The Fast Track grant is designed to ensure, when combined with other governmental financial aid, that tuition and fees are fully covered.  

There are many program areas with eligible programs including business, computer science, education, health care and more! Review qualifying majors and certificate programs.

To be eligible for Fast Track funding , students must:

  • Be either:
    • At least 25 years old, or
    • Have not enrolled in an educational program (high school or post-secondary) in the last two years
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Be a Missouri resident, an active 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
  • Have filed the FAFSA
  • Enrolled in an eligible program at least half-time

Eligibility will expire if:

  • Receipt of the grant for four semesters or the equivalent.
  • Receipt of a bachelor’s degree.
  • Reaching 200 percent of the academic time typically required to complete the program of study.

Learn more on our website and apply today!

 

If you’d like to discuss the grant and your potential eligibility, schedule a meeting with advisor Jaime Ross.

Summer Term Reminders

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The summer term has started at Missouri State University (June 3, 2024) and here’s a few reminders and resources to keep you on the path to success:

  • Missouri State will be utilizing a new learning management system (LMS) for the summer 2024 term and onwards called Brightspace. Review Brightspace Essentials for Students.
  • See Refund Schedules for Drop and Refund Deadline Information. Students and instructors can view a personalized refund schedule and drop deadlines based on the actual class schedule or a trial schedule in My Missouri State.
  • No classes and offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th for Juneteenth National Independence Day.
  • No classes and offices will be closed July 4th – July 5th for Independence Day
  • My Payment Plan Installments are due on July 10th and August 10th.
  • Graduate Assistants from Mathematics and Chemistry will be available in the Bear CLAW Summer 2024.  Writing consultations are online only. Visit BearCLAW for more information. 
  • Find additional student support services.  



Good luck, Bears!

New Office for Adult Student Services

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New office location in Park Central Office Building in downtown Springfield.

 

Our office has been working remotely since the summer of 2023 and we are happy to report that we now have office space in the lower level of the Park Central Office Building! You can find us in Rooms 001-006 – come in through the west doors off of South Avenue and make your way down the stairs or take the elevator.

Address: 117 Park Central Square Springfield, MO 65897 

Office hours: 8:00am -4:00pm, Monday through Friday.

 

Make an appointment online for advisement:

 

 

Apply for the MSU Annual Scholarship Before It’s Too Late!

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The MSU Annual Scholarship deadline has been extended to April 1, 2024.

 

Missouri State University offers nearly 1,000 donor-funded scholarships that students may apply for through one application: MSU Annual Scholarship Application. Donor funded scholarships are privately donated gifts to the University by individuals, groups, or companies. These scholarships are awarded to students based on a wide range of criteria including major, high school attended, outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and/or financial need. Search for Foundation Scholarships and review the eligibility criteria using the Scholarship Search.

 

There is still time to submit the MSU Annual Scholarship for scholarships being awarded in the 2024-2025 academic year. The deadline has been extended to April 1, 2024. To access and submit the application follow the steps below:

  1. Log into your My Missouri State account.
  2. Locate your “Financial Aid & Scholarships” card.
  3. Complete your Financial Aid e-Agree (if you have not already done so).
  4. Select the MSU Foundation Scholarships link to complete and submit your application.

If you have questions about a particular scholarship, please contact the MSU Foundation at FNDScholarships@MissouriState.edu or contact the Office of Financial Aid for more details.

 

Additional financial aid opportunities can be found through the links below:

Introducing ReUp Education

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We would like to introduce a new initiative that will soon launch to help re-enroll Missouri State University stop-out students who haven’t enrolled at another institution or completed a degree. We have partnered with ReUp Education to engage our stop-out students.

ReUp Success Coaches will be performing active outreach to stop-out students from our institution to encourage them to return and complete their degree or credential. While the goal is to encourage undergraduate students to return to our institution, it is also possible that we will see some additional transfer student activity as well as a result of these efforts. These coaches provide personalized support designed to help adult learners thrive in higher education by:

  • Offering 1:1 conversations by phone, email, or text
  • Exploring educational and career goals and developing personalized plans
  • Connecting students with resources and support to take the next step in their return

As our students begin to re-engage with our university, they may refer to their ReUp Success Coach when working with you and your teams. Thus, we wanted you to be aware of these efforts before they begin.

We greatly appreciate your support and welcome any questions you may have regarding this pilot program. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions: AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu.

Thank you in advance for you assistance in welcoming our students back to Missouri State University!