It’s financial aid season. This year, the financial aid process has some unique challenges.

The federal government revamped the FAFSA form and process this year. The good news is that for many people the form is easier to complete. The bad news is that it has significantly delayed our ability to provide financial aid information.

The delay in the FAFSA process is a nationwide challenge. However, it does not alter our commitment to providing you with the support you need.

We know that you’re probably feeling frustrated. We are, too. It’s hard to decide where to attend college when you don’t know how much it’ll cost.

By this time, we can usually tell prospective students how much financial aid they’ll receive. This year, we can’t.

We’re doing everything we can to get that information out as soon as possible. In the meantime, we’ve taken these steps:

We moved the priority deadline to qualify for financial aid from Feb. 1 to May 1.

We moved the deadline to apply for MSU Foundation Scholarships to April 1.

At the bottom of this post, we provide information about what’s causing the delay. Read to the end if you want the details.

In the meantime, here are some things you can do now.

Next steps for Future Bears

While you await news on your aid package, consider checking these tasks off your to-do list:

File the FAFSA by May 1 to maximize your opportunity for financial aid.

• By April 1, apply for nearly 1,000 unique donor-funded scholarships.
• Ensure your My.MissouriState.edu account is set up – this is where you’ll review your financial aid package and accept your funds.
• Explore and apply for other aid opportunities using MyScholarshipCentral.
• Check back to this blog for updates on our financial aid application processes.

Secure your spot at Missouri State

If you think you want to attend Missouri State (depending on your financial aid package), you can confirm your plan to attend with no risk.

Accept your offer of admission and pay your enrollment deposit. This deposit acts as your official acceptance of MSU’s offer of admission, confirms your intent to enroll and reserves your spot at Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration. You can get a full refund until May 1.

Apply for housing. The earlier you apply, the more likely it is that you’ll get the housing assignment you prefer. You can get a full refund until May 1.

Invest in your future at Missouri State

While you’re waiting for details of your financial aid, we want to remind you of just how great a value Missouri State is. Our costs are lower than state and national averages.

At Missouri State, we believe all students should have access to a high-quality college education. Your pursuit of a college degree and a successful career is well within reach.

Reach out for assistance

If you encounter challenges or have questions, reach out to our financial aid team. They are here to assist you and ensure a smooth process.

FinancialAid@MissouriState.edu

417-836-5262

Missouri State is more than just a place of learning; it’s a caring community that values each of its members. We appreciate your trust, and we are devoted to making your journey with us as smooth as possible.

We understand the crucial role financial aid plays in your decision-making process. We are here to support you every step of the way.

Go Bears! 🐻✨

Give me the deets: WHY can’t we provide financial aid information now?

One significant factor affecting the speed of this process is the delay by the Department of Education in providing Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) files.

ISIR files are generated when a FAFSA is submitted. Colleges and universities use the data in these files to generate student aid packages.

In late January, the Department of Education announced that institutions won’t receive the files until mid-March. This delay will inevitably slow down the timeline for receiving information about your financial aid eligibility.

What happens when Missouri State receives your ISIR file?

• You will receive a notification as soon as Missouri State receives your ISIR file.
• You will receive another notification once your aid package is available for review or if any additional information might be needed.
• You can review and accept your aid offer. You will find your aid package on the “Financial Aid & Scholarships” card on My.MissouriState.edu.

We understand that this situation may seem a bit uncertain. So, we are working hard to provide as much information as quickly as possible.