Exclusive Scholarships for Missouri Students to Apply For in 2025

About scholarships in Missouri

Missouri is home to over 6.1 million residents, 362,908 of which are college students. 211,176 of these students attend public universities, according to 2021 enrollment numbers. Enrollment in public higher education institutions has decreased by 14.5% in the past 5 years. 

Keep reading to learn more about Missouri student information and how students can get scholarships in Missouri!

Missouri students and student debt

Student debt in the United States has been rising since the turn of the century. The cost of college expenses has grown by 16.1%, adjusted to account for inflation. On top of this, the pandemic has caused increased financial stress for many families. 

Scholarships are a great way to limit the financial worries associated with student loans. Students in Missouri can use opportunities in their communities as well as through platforms like Bold.org to help fund their educational ventures.

Missouri student demographics

In Missouri, 76.2% of college students are residents of the state, while the other 23.8% of Missouri college students are from out of the state. Scholarships for Missouri students attending school in-state are presented here as well as a variety that can support both in-state and out-of-state students.

Of the students attending higher education in Missouri, 42.7% of full-time students are female, which is lower than the national female student percentage, which is about 59.5%. Specific scholarships are open to female students to encourage women to pursue further education in Missouri.

Colleges in Missouri

Missouri has 67 different colleges that range from community colleges to public universities to private schools. Of the most recognizable Missouri universities, many are located in the larger cities, such as St. Louis. 

Popular universities in St. Louis include Washington University in St. Louis and Saint Louis University. Other notable schools include the University of Missouri, Missouri State University, Truman State University, and Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Not all of these colleges are public. Some, such as Saint Louis University and Maryville University, are private institutions. As a matter of fact, 39 of Missouri's 67 colleges are private universities. Different schools have different programs and styles, so no matter what you are looking to pursue in your future, you can find a school right for you in Missouri.

Student debt in Missouri

In Missouri, the average student loan debt is $35,706. While this number is high, it is still lower than the national debt average of $37,693. Of the Missouri residents, 820,600 are in the process of paying back their borrowed money for college expenses. Types of loans vary depending on your situation - both private and federal loans allow students to borrow money for college and pay back later. For more information on loans in Missouri, see the Missouri Department of higher education's website here.

With how high the average student debt is in Missouri, it's crucial to make Missouri students aware of the financial aid available for them. The cost to attend college may be high, but that's why Bold.org promotes scholarships to help students in Missouri prepare for their futures.

Cost of education in Missouri

In Missouri, the cost of education for undergraduate students varies depending on if students are attending college in or out of state. In-state undergraduate students pay an average of $7,004 for tuition, while out-of-state students pay $11,920for tuition. This is significantly better than the average tuition costs of the nation as a whole. In comparison, the United States average tuition at a public four-year college is $10,230 for in-state students. For out-of-state students, this cost averages $26,290.

These numbers are specifically for tuition and do not include additional costs of living that come with attending a university. Therefore, as graduating high school seniors prepare for high school graduation and beyond, they need to keep in mind that they'll have additional costs, such as tuition, room and board, textbooks, school fees, as well as other general costs.

The best scholarships for Missouri students

Bold.org has exclusive scholarships that can't be found anywhere else. Missouri students can find scholarships specifically related to their interests and personal backgrounds by exploring the types of scholarships offered on Bold.org.

High schoolers planning for college, undergraduate and graduate students, transfer students, and international students studying in the United States can all find scholarships on Bold.org. As you prepare to apply for Missouri scholarships, start by examining your goals, both academically and professionally. 

Your future plans can help guide you on which types of scholarships you choose to apply for. To help students find a starting point for their scholarship application process, we've shared scholarships specific to different groups of students.

Additional scholarships that students in Missouri should consider

With all of this being said, your scholarship search is in your hands. Opportunities for Missouri students are out there, even if they seem difficult to find at first. You can use resources on Bold.org to help narrow your search. 

To boost your chances of winning, look for scholarships with many eligibility requirements since a lower number of people will be eligible to apply for them. You can search by category to find scholarships that are more unique to you. However, if you struggle to find them at first, use some of these general scholarships to introduce you to the process.

These additional scholarships will help you get your foot in the door and learn more about what it's like to apply for scholarships.

• BJB Scholarship
• Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship
• Lillian's and Ruby's Way Scholarship
• 100 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
• Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship
• “$$$ Isn’t Everything” Scholarship

Scholarships for high school students in Missouri

High school students in Missouri have many opportunities to receive financial assistance for college through grants and scholarships. As you begin to plan for the future, find ways you can start saving to cover the cost of earning a higher education. Bold.org offers all varieties of scholarships for students in high school. These range from general high school scholarships to those specific to each grade. Eligible students can apply for scholarships listed on their respective pages.

• Scholarships for high school students
• Scholarships for high school freshmen
• Scholarships for high school sophomores
• Scholarships for high school juniors
• Scholarships for high school seniors

Use these groups of gathered scholarships as a starting point for earning financial aid, tuition assistance, etc. Additionally, you can use the education filter on the scholarship search page to help you single out scholarships for high school students.

Scholarships for current college students in Missouri

Scholarships aren't just for high school. Even if you've never applied for scholarships in the past, you still have a chance to find new opportunities. Some college scholarships are general to students at every college level, some of which you can find under the education filter on the scholarship search page. 

At the same time, undergraduate and graduate students have opportunities unique to their degree level. Bold.org offers scholarships for undergraduate students and scholarships for students in graduate school, giving all college students the chance to seek financial assistance.

For undergraduate students in their first couple years of college, there are specific scholarships for college freshmen as well as scholarships for college sophomores that focus on students enrolled in the first freshman and sophomore years of their undergraduate degree. Opportunities are available for all college students looking to limit potential student debt.

Scholarships for women in Missouri

Female students in Missouri have no shortage of options meant to empower women pursuing higher education. A variety of scholarships for women are available on Bold.org that focus on helping women of different ages and different interests. 

There are specific scholarships that encourage students in different fields, including a selection of scholarships for women in STEM, which exist to help decrease the gender gap in STEM career fields that are typically male-dominated.

To get started, look into scholarships like the Lillian's & Ruby's Way Scholarship and the Women's History Scholarship.

Scholarships for teachers in Missouri

Teaching is an incredibly important profession because it helps fuel the knowledge of the next generation. Because of the importance of education, there are many scholarships for future teachers. 

College students currently majoring in education are encouraged to look into these exclusive opportunities for future teachers, such as the Future Teachers of America Scholarship.

Scholarships for nursing students in Missouri

Future nurses have opportunities meant just for them on Bold.org. Our list of nursing scholarships shows some of the scholarships meant to assist nurses of the future. Students seeking a college degree in a nursing program can benefit from these scholarships meant specifically for them.

You can start by checking out scholarships like the WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation No-Essay Scholarship and the National Healthcare Heroes Grant for Nurses.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships in Missouri

As Missouri students begin applying for scholarships, there are some questions that may arise, especially if students are new to the process of applying to scholarships. We've answered some of the questions asked most frequently to help Missouri students get the most out of their scholarship experience.

How to apply for scholarships in Missouri

Applying for scholarships on Bold.org takes only a few simple steps, the first of which is creating your free account. Click on any of the scholarships listed on this page to be redirected to where you can start your account. Once you've signed up, fill out your profile, highlighting educational experience, interests, and other important factors that could help you to stand out to donors.

Now that you've prepared your profile, you can browse Bold.org's scholarship opportunities. There are so many options to choose from, which can be overwhelming. We recommend that students start their search by finding scholarships specific to them. Using the category and education filters on the scholarship search page is a great way to find opportunities specific to your experiences and background.

Different scholarships may require different types of submissions. Some scholarships don't require essays and only take a few clicks to enter as an applicant. Others entail writing essays, submitting artwork, or creating video submissions. Look at the requirements for individual scholarships to see what the specifications there are for applications. Some are specific to those with financial need, while others focus more on academic achievement.

When can I start applying?

It's never too early to start applying for scholarships. Students 14 and older are eligible to sign up for an account on Bold.org if they are pursuing an education in the United States. Bold.org offers scholarships year-round, so there are constantly opportunities for students to prepare for college by applying to Virginia scholarships.

Are scholarships in Missouri taxable income?

Scholarships awarded are sent directly to the school of the winner and not to the students themselves. If students are not in college or enrolled for the future, their scholarship funds are held in an account for them until they go to college. Since students are not directly given the scholarship money, it is not considered income.