A+ Scholarship Program Information

The A+ Scholarship Program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools that attend a participating Missouri public community college or vocational/technical school, or certain private two-year vocational/technical schools.

Eligible A+ Community Colleges and Vocational Technical Schools

Scholarships Available to A+ Students

Students who successfully complete the requirements of the A+ Program may be eligible to receive reimbursement for the cost of tuition and general fees while attending a Missouri public community college or vocational/technical school.

The primary goal of the A+ Scholarship Program is to ensure that all students who graduate from Missouri high schools are well prepared to pursue advanced education and/or employment. The scholarships are paid for by Missouri taxpayers for Missouri students to attend Missouri post high school opportunities.

All funding and requirements for the A+ Scholarship Program are contingent upon yearly renewal and appropriations by the Missouri General Assembly.

· Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

· Enter into a written agreement with your high school prior to graduation.

· Attend a designated Missouri A+ high school for two years prior to graduation.

· Graduate with an overall unweighted 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

· Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12.

· Perform at least 50 hours of approved unpaid tutoring or mentoring, of which 25% may include job shadowing, prior to graduation.

· Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol while in grades 9-12.

· Have achieved a score of Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I or higher-level Math EOC OR achieve a qualifying combination score of an ACT math sub-score and GPA (the qualifying option is subject to approval each year by MDHE)

· Make a good faith effort to secure federal aid by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1 (the Missouri deadline) of senior year.

To be eligible for A+ benefits, students must enter into a written agreement with their high school prior to graduation. Students must complete the A+ Scholarship Program - Participation Agreement prior to March 1st of their senior year.

• Students must maintain at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades 9-12.
• At MOVA and MODA, your attendance is calculated based on courses passed. You will obtain 95% attendance for each course you pass. For each course you do not pass, you will receive 0% attendance.
• You must send attendance records from any prior schools to the A+ Coordinator. You may appeal attendance records from your previous school if you have absences that may qualify as approved absences.

To be eligible for A+ benefits, students must perform at least 50 hours of unpaid school-based tutoring/mentoring.

• Tutoring and mentoring hours must be volunteer and unpaid. Students must tutor students in their community. Students must complete an A+ Tutoring/Mentoring Application and receive approval from the A+ Coordinator prior to tutoring.
  
• Students must use the A+ Tutoring/Mentoring/Job Shadowing Log to track their supervised tutoring hours. The supervising employee must sign their name each time hours are complete to verify time.
• Up to 25% (12.5 hours) may include job shadowing or other work based learning opportunities. Students must complete an A+ Job Shadowing Application and receive approval from the A+ Coordinator prior job shadowing.
• Students must use the A+ Tutoring/Mentoring/Job Shadowing Log to track their supervised job shadowing hours. The supervising employee must sign their name each time hours are complete to verify time.

Once students have completed their required tutoring/shadowing hours, they must send their completed A+ Tutoring/Mentoring/Job Shadowing Log via email to the A+ Coordinator. Students are encouraged to submit their logs at the end of each semester to ensure their log is not misplaced and hours are not lost.

Seniors have until May 1st of their senior year to complete their required hours and submit their completed A+ Tutoring/Mentoring/Job Shadowing Log to the A+ Coordinator.

To be eligible for A+ benefits, students must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident and maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and alcohol. Participation in the A+ Program is an honor and a unique privilege for students. Certification of good citizenship will be based on the official discipline record.

To be eligible for A+ benefits, students must achieve a score of proficient or advanced on the Algebra I end of course exam, or a higher level DESE approved end of course exam in the field of mathematics.

To be eligible for A+ benefits, students must make a good faith effort to secure all federal aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1st (the Missouri deadline) of their senior year. Seniors may submit their FAFSA starting October 1st of their senior year.

Apply online at https://studentaid.gov/fafsa-app.

Missouri Stride Schools - A+ Scholarship Program Guide

A+ Scholarship Program - Participation Agreement

A+ Scholarship Program - Tutoring/Mentoring Application

A+ Scholarship Program - Job Shadowing Application

A+ Scholarship Program - Tutoring/Mentoring/Job Shadowing Log

Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD)

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Filling Out the FAFSA Form - FAFSA Instructions

August 15th:

• 2:00 PM - MOVA A+ Scholarship Program Information Session.

August 16th:

• 2:00 PM - MODA A+ Scholarship Program Information Session.

November 1st:

• Last day for seniors to complete the A+ Participation Agreement and apply for the A+ Program.

February 1st:

• FAFSA Submission Deadline.

May 1st:

• Last day for seniors to submit their completed A+ Tutoring/Mentoring/Shadowing Log to the A+ Coordinator.
• Last day to appeal attendance or behavior.

Cheyanne Wheelis

Missouri Digital Academy: cwheelis@missourida.org

Missouri Virtual Academy: cwheelis@missouriva.org