Missouri Program Awards $10K College Scholarships to Low-Income Teens

Starting this January, Missouri freshmen from low-income families have a new path to college funding that rewards progress from day one of high school.

The MyMO program offers Missouri students up to $10,000 in college scholarships distributed as $2,500 per year. Students earn the money by meeting annual academic and planning benchmarks designed to strengthen their college readiness throughout high school.

Applications open January 1st and close March 2, 2026, with selection notifications arriving after May 1st. The program targets students who qualify for Federal Pell Grants, specifically those with a Student Aid Index of 7,395 or lower for the 2026-27 academic year.

To qualify, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA and 90% attendance rate during their fall 2025 semester. They also need to open a MOST 529 college savings account with at least a $1 contribution, proving they're already thinking about their future.

Eligible students must have a verified Missouri address and attend a Missouri public, charter, or private high school, or be homeschooled in the state. They'll need a valid Social Security number or taxpayer identification to apply.

Why This Inspires

This program flips the traditional scholarship model by catching students early instead of waiting until senior year. Starting support in freshman year gives students four full years of guidance and motivation to stay on track.

The structure teaches valuable life skills beyond academics. Students learn financial planning through the 529 account requirement and goal-setting by meeting annual benchmarks.

Most importantly, the program removes financial uncertainty early. Knowing college funding is growing year by year can transform how a 14-year-old sees their future possibilities.

Once students graduate and enroll at any eligible Missouri college or university, their earned scholarship funds transfer directly to the institution. The money they worked four years to earn finally opens doors that might have seemed permanently closed.

Questions about the program can be sent to info@moslf.org, and the Missouri Scholarship and Loan Foundation administers awards based on available funding.

Four years of hard work, $10,000 in support, and one clear message: your future matters, starting right now.