Missouri State University continues to make college more accessible by adding a TRIO Upward Bound program freshman scholarship.

The scholarship will help cover extra costs related to a college education for students from under-resourced backgrounds.

Last week, Missouri State President Clif Smart and university TRIO Upward Bound Director Nicholas Horne signed a memorandum of understanding growing opportunities for the pursuit of postsecondary education.

The TRIO Upward Bound Freshman Scholarship is valued at $2,000 annually, plus a full waiver of out-of-state fees for non-Missouri residents. It may be renewed if students meet the criteria.

The scholarship will be applied to a student’s account after any Pell Grant or MoState Access awards are applied.

“These funds will assist with fringe costs, such as housing, dining, activity fees and books,” Horne said. “This additional financial support will enable our students to fully focus on their studies and personal growth, without the burden of excessive financial strain.

“This scholarship is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing every opportunity for our students to succeed.”

Scholarship qualifications

To qualify for the scholarship, students must:

• Be an active member of Upward Bound during their senior year of high school.
• Have been an active member of Upward Bound for at least one year.
• Be in good standing with Upward Bound as of the date of nomination.
• Be nominated by their Upward Bound director or designee.
• Have not received another MSU scholarship of equal or greater value.

Nominees also must meet Missouri State’s admission standards and enroll as a full-time student the same year they complete high school.

Building on TRIO

The TRIO Upward Bound program at Missouri State helps students with the skills and motivation needed to excel in high school, and to attend and finish a four-year college program.

As a federally funded grant program, all services are free to accepted participants. At Missouri State, the program is 100% funded by the U.S. Department of Education at $1,511,226 for 2022-27.

TRIO is a collection of eight educational opportunity programs funded by the Department of Education.

The initial, four-year Upward Bound grant came to Missouri State in September 2003 and has continuously served students since. The program is funded to serve 54 high school students from Central, Hillcrest and Parkview in the Springfield Public School District.