The Access Missouri financial aid program enables students from Missouri's working families to attend college. Through Access Missouri, students with demonstrated financial need can receive tuition support to attend any eligible Missouri college or university. Tens of thousands of Missouri students are attending college in our state because of Access Missouri.

Unfortunately, Gov. Jay Nixon is aggressively working to eliminate all Access Missouri funding for students who attend independent colleges in our state. Our governor has forgotten that Access Missouri was created to help low-income Missouri students achieve their dream of a college education. If successful, it would compound the financial burden of thousands of students from working and lower-income families who attend independent institutions. It’s not fair, and we can’t allow this to happen.

Missouri shouldn’t balance its budget on the backs of its neediest students. Let Gov. Nixon and state lawmakers know that you support keeping financial aid available to Missouri students attending any eligible Missouri college through Access Missouri.

Join our coalition - Signing up will cost you nothing but it could keep you – and your friends – in college.

Kansas City area college students rally against Gov. Nixon's proposed cuts

 

Students Rally in Support of Access Missouri at Missouri Baptist University

March 22, 2010

 

Senate Education Committee Hearing

Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010

 

>>MOHELA Supports Access Missouri
Thanks to the efforts of Keep Me In College Coalition members to bring attention to the importance of need-based college financial aid, Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) has contributed $30 million to Access Missouri. The money is a one-time gift. It is being used to help offset the $50 million cut from the program due to a shortfall in the state budget.

Although MOHELA’s donation helps, an increase in needy students and the overall reduction in Access Missouri funds are resulting in smaller award amounts this year. Missouri Department of Higher Education officials say the maximum award this year for independent students is expected to be $1,900, while public university students are projected to receive $950 and community college students are to receive $275. Read the most recent news reports here.

State officials say they likely will be forced to make additional budget cuts in the future. Keep Me In College will continue working to ensure that our state’s financially deserving students are able to achieve their dream of a college education at the Missouri college or university of their choice.

>>Access Missouri Budget Cut
Gov. Jay Nixon cut the Access Missouri program by $50 million. This is a devastating blow to students who depend on Access Missouri grants to attend college in our state. Lawmakers had budgeted $83 million for the 2010-2011 academic year. The cut will significantly reduce state financial aid for students with demonstrated need.

The Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri (ICUM) have issued a press release critical the move. Read it here: http://www.icum.org/releases.php