The Office of Student Financial Aid receives quite a few questions regarding aid disbursements at the beginning of each year. Below are answers to a few of the more common questions. 

• I need financial aid to help pay for school but haven’t submitted my FAFSA yet. Is it too late?
  • No! you can still submit your FAFSA for the 2021-2022 academic year. Simply login to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to submit the form today. If you need assistance, Financial Aid staff are happy to help. Be sure to include our school code: 002503.
• When will my financial aid pay?
  • Financial aid is disbursed on the first business day of the second week of classes. For the Fall 2021 semester, this means funds (loans, grants, and scholarships) will be paid to most students between Monday, August 30 and Friday, September 3.
• What is a financial aid refund and when will I get my money?
  • A financial aid refund occurs when a student receives more money from financial aid sources (scholarships, grants, and loans) than is owed to the university. Once a student’s account balance is paid in full, any excess funds will be issued directly to the student to be used for other educational expenses such as transportation, health insurance, off-campus living expenses, etc.
  • Refund money should be available to most students during the third week of classes.
  • We strongly encourage all students to setup Non-Payroll Direct Deposit to receive their refund money more quickly and securely.
• What should I do to make sure my money disburses on Monday, August 30?
  • First, make sure you have accepted your financial aid offers. You will do this online via your my.missouristate.edu login. Aid can be accepted online through the Financial Aid Home Page link found under the “Student” tab. All loan offers, Federal Work-Study, and most scholarships will need to be accepted by the student. Grants (like the Pell Grant or Access Missouri Grant) will be accepted on your behalf.
  • Second, make certain you have completed any requirements needed for disbursement. If you’re receiving an institutional scholarship, please be sure to complete your scholarship agreement form. If we have requested additional documents from you or your family, please submit those to our office as quickly as possible.
  • Third, be sure you have accepted your financial aid terms and conditions.
  • Finally, if you plan to receive Federal Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized loans to help pay for school be sure you have completed your online entrance counseling and master promissory note.
• I will still owe a balance after my aid disburses. What should I do?
  • There are several ways students pay outstanding charges after their financial aid has disbursed:
    • Make out-of-pocket payments using the My Payment Plan (Deferred Payment).
    • Apply for credit-based education loans through private lenders or the Federal PLUS Loan program.
    • Submit a Special Circumstance Request to see if you might qualify for additional financial aid due to circumstances such as:
      • Loss of job
      • Reduction of wages
      • Parent attending school
      • Other
    • I feel like I need help with my aid, or I still have questions. Is there anyone with whom I can speak?
      • Certainly! All students are welcomed to schedule a virtual appointment with one of our Financial Aid Counselors. Appointments can be booked online at https://www.missouristate.edu/FinancialAid/schedule-a-meeting.aspx.

(submitted by Rob Moore, Director, Office of Financial Aid)