JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri’s Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) encourages anyone considering additional training or education beyond high school to file the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the Feb. 2 Access Missouri Grant priority deadline to be considered for the award.

The Access Missouri Grant is Missouri’s primary program for assisting low-income individuals and can help pay for a variety of education and training opportunities. Access Missouri provided more than $82 million to over 44,000 Missourians during the 2024-25 academic year. There is no formal application process for the Access Missouri Grant. Eligibility for the program is determined using the information provided on the FAFSA, and awards are available to anyone who qualifies, regardless of age or career goals. Access Missouri can also be combined with other federal and state aid, such as the Pell Grant, to help cover the cost of attendance.

“The Access Missouri Grant supports Missourians who may feel additional training or education is out of reach due to costs,” said Dr. Bennett Boggs, commissioner of the MDHEWD. “This opportunity can help provide an affordable pathway to those in need, ensuring even more Missourians have the education and skills needed to compete for quality jobs and future success.”

Any Missourian considering college or a training program should file a FAFSA to maximize their financial aid and higher education opportunities. The FAFSA is a standard form that helps determine eligibility for federal student aid, such as federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Colleges also use this information to determine what institutional-based aid individuals are eligible for. In Missouri, a FAFSA is required to be considered for most state financial aid opportunities, including Access Missouri, the A+ Scholarship Program, and the Fast Track Incentive Grant.

“Filing a FAFSA early opens the door to federal and state financial aid opportunities, including the Access Missouri Grant,” said Leroy Wade, deputy commissioner of the MDHEWD. “There is no cost to file a FAFSA, and doing so helps ensure financial barriers do not stand in the way of Missourians who are interested in earning a degree or credential to invest in their future success.”

Individuals who file their FAFSA after the Feb. 2 priority deadline may still be eligible for an Access Missouri award if they file before April 1, subject to available funding.

More information about Access Missouri, including eligibility requirements and possible award amounts, is available on the MDHEWD website. To learn about other Missouri grants and scholarships, federal grants, and grants and scholarships offered by schools, visit dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants. Specific student eligibility information can be found in the DHEWD Student Portal.

Students and parents can also visit Journey to College to learn more about the FAFSA and explore helpful resources, including frequently asked questions, a FAFSA checklist, steps to creating an FSA ID, and more. Students who need help filing their FAFSA can attend a nearby FAFSA Frenzy event or contact the department’s Outreach Team at journeytocollege@dhewd.mo.gov.