Missouri likes to be direct. In 1899, Missouri’s U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver said it himself: “…frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.”
No wonder they call it the “show me” state. Vandiver’s blunt attitude captures the state’s no-nonsense, gritty spirit. An epicenter for westward expansion, the fur trade, and the railroads, the state has played a significant role in the United States’ climb to one of the world’s leaders in industry and innovation.
Home to over 450,000 veterans and over 13,000 active-duty service members, Missouri’s culture reflects pride in its military service members. Throughout history, MO has also been a vessel for military involvement, from the events leading to the Louisiana Purchase to division within the Civil War as the Union state.
One of the benefits of military service is the opportunity to access a college education—and to do so at a reduced cost. Since active service members are currently less likely to be deployed overseas, they are in a prime position to take advantage of opportunities to earn a degree, as are veterans and their family members, who are also eligible for some benefits. And in Missouri, they want their active service members to achieve that part of the American Dream. That’s why they offer a number of programs to make college accessible and financially practical.
Missouri Veterans’ Commission (MVC) Military Education Benefits
Federal programs like the GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon program are of course making college more accessible to Missouri’s veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible dependents. But Missouri has also enacted state legislation to make college more affordable, particularly for those who have served in the military. Missouri’s institutes of higher education also provide financial aid and programs for receiving educational credits specifically for service members. In this article, you’ll find state-level benefits, along with military friendly colleges familiar with the programs in place. These programs can reduce tuition for military members and make accessing a college education more available for military members.
Missouri is a sprawling state; the state government is dedicated to making their services available without asking veterans to travel far from home. The Missouri Veterans’ Commission (MVC) has locations in almost every county. Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their dependents can easily find a service officer near them via the locator on the MVC website. These officers also give presentations and information to groups interested in veterans benefits for higher education—think of your MVC as an academic advising center which specializes in veterans’ education.
The MVC offers several support and assistance programs. You’ll work with a Veterans Service Officers (VSO’s), who can act as a sort of financial adviser for your college experience. VSO’s have access to the VA’s Benefit Delivery Network system, which means that they can expedite benefits claims for veterans and their dependents, helping you maximize your potential for financial assistance. In addition to federal assistance available through the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Missouri veterans may be able to receive additional benefits. By working with the MVC, you can find and access these benefits, whether they are available through state-run grant programs or through a participating Missouri institution of higher education.
Missouri Returning Heroes Act Tuition Reduction
In Missouri, certain combat veterans—that is, those who completed service in a combat zone, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—are eligible for reduced tuition at public colleges and universities. Note that although the IRS does provide a list of which zones qualify as combat zones, Missouri veterans are encouraged to contact the MVC and work with VSO to determine whether or not they are eligible.
To determine if you meet the Missouri Returning Heroes Act requirements, the public institution that you’re attending will want to see your combat service medal. Keep in mind that members of the Reserves and National Guard are also eligible, provided that you served in armed combat full-time under a call to active service for a period of more than 30 days.
The MO Returning Heroes Act can cut your college tuition costs in half. For combat veterans who are pursuing associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, public institutions must limit their tuition costs to $50 per credit hour, so long as you maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. That means that if you take 12 credits worth of courses at an institution that normally charges $100 per credit hour ($1,200 for the semester), you would only pay $600 in tuition for the semester—and that’s before applying the other federal and state aid that you may be eligible for.
Graduate degrees work a little differently. Under the Returning Heroes Act, all public colleges and universities may charge combat veterans no more than 30% of the cost of tuition and fees. Since it’s not done by credit hour, this only applies to combat veterans who are enrolled in a program to earn a master’s or doctorate degree. You should also note that this does not include some professional degrees including (but not limited to) law, medicine, and veterinary. Again, in this instance, we recommend consulting with a VSO to see what you may or may not be eligible for.
Requirements:
In summary, to benefit from the Returning Heroes Act tuition reduction, you must meet these requirements:
- Must be an honorably discharged combat veteran
- Must be a resident of the state of Missouri, vote in Missouri, or be eligible to vote in Missouri.
- Must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA while enrolled in a certificate, associate, or baccalaureate-level program at a public institution of higher education.
It’s possible to receive the Returning Heroes Act tuition reduction before you apply for other federal and state financial assistance, which could open even more opportunity to reduce your costs. Your university is supposed to notify you of this option ahead of time.
Missouri Wartime Veteran’s Survivor Grant
This option applies to Missouri combat veterans’ children or spouses who are pursuing higher education at a participating public college or university in Missouri. Awards are available each academic year (fall and spring semesters only) to 25 students, with priority given to those students who are renewing their grant.
Eligible students must be the child or spouse of a combat veteran who served after September 11, 2011, whether that be through active duty, reserve, or National Guard. The veteran’s death or injuries must have been a result of combat action or attributed to an illness contracted while serving in combat. This grant is also for dependents of veterans who became at least 80% disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat since September 11, 2001. There are a few other possibilities for qualification, which are determined by the Missouri Veterans’ Commission.
The point of the grant is to essentially allow those who were dependents of a veteran at the time of death or debilitating injury the opportunity to pay reduced tuition costs. In terms of tuition, one of two scenarios are possible. You’ll either be charged the lesser of the actual tuition charged for the number of hours in which you are enrolled; or, you’ll pay the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident enrolled in the same number of hours at the University of Missouri Columbia. For example, if your tuition is $4,000, but the tuition at the University of Missouri would be $3,000, you’ll receive $3,000 in tuition grants. You’ll also receive up to $2,000 for the cost of room and board; if your room and board are less than $2,000, you’ll receive the lesser amount. Same with books; if your books cost less than $500, you’ll receive that amount, or up to $500.
Requirements:
In addition to meeting the criteria explained above, students applying for this particular grant must meet the following requirements:
- Be a United States citizen, resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the US.
- Be enrolled or accepted for at least half-time.
- Be enrolled or accepted as an undergraduate student in one of the participating public colleges or universities.
Spouses must have been married to the veteran at the time of death or injury or within five years of the injury. Veteran’s children must be less than 25 years of age in addition and must have been a dependent of the veteran at the time of either death or injury.
Missouri National Guard State Tuition Assistance Programs
Soldiers and airmen of the Missouri National Guard who are pursuing an undergraduate degree are eligible for state tuition assistance (STA). STA’s are available only after you utilize your federal tuition assistance programs. If approved, soldiers and airmen will receive funding not exceeding the in-state tuition rate at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Essentially, this could mean that you pay the rate of a state school, even if you are attending a private college or university.
When accessing these benefits, National Guard members can apply for up to 39 semester hours for the state fiscal year, which includes summer semesters. You can use these funds for up to 15 credit hours for the fall and spring semester and up to 9 credit hours for the summer semester.
Members of the National Guard must meet a few other requirements. To receive this funding, you must:
- Be a U.S citizen or permanent resident
- Be in good standing (not flagged for adverse action)
- Clear criminal record
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Be enrolled or accepted as a full or part-time undergraduate student at an approved public or private institution.
This one depends a bit more on available funding, and applications are assessed on a rolling basis. If you are a member of the national Guard and plan on applying, we recommend applying as early as you can.
Veterans Support Programs
The “Show Me” state is all about accessibility. The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) offers a directory of military and veterans services at each state institution of higher education. While each institution varies in their specific offerings, Missouri remains committed to helping veterans optimize tuition assistance programs at their many military-friend colleges. The MDHEWD has even created a Student Veteran Center Guide, which assists institutions in meeting the needs of student veterans, including best practices in behavioral health, education, employment, and social support services.
Missouri is also one of 13 states, along with Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Nebraska, in the Multi-state Collaborative on Military Credit. The collaborative’s mission is to help institutions of higher education implement best practices for teaching veterans. They want veterans to harness the skills that they learned in the military and translate them to earning a college degree or completing some form of higher education.
While Missouri veterans and active service members should get in touch with a VSO in their area to learn about the specific benefits that they can receive, Missouri remains generally committed to advancing the education of its veterans and their dependents.
Possible Station Assignments and Military Bases in Missouri
Part of being in the military or being in a military family is knowing that you may be stationed somewhere far from home. That’s what you signed up for. After your first-duty assignment, you may be able to request a specific location, and whether you’re from Missouri or not, the state is an ideal place to live—especially if you’re interested in pursuing a college degree.
MO has made it easy for military members to establish residency for the purpose of paying in-state tuition. If you’re an activated member of the military stationed in Missouri, you and your dependents will be eligible to take advantage of law HB 427, which will grant you in-state tuition at public Missouri colleges and universities. Active reservists and members of the National Guard are also eligible for this benefit. Veterans who are leaving the military under any circumstances other than dishonorable discharge are also eligible for student resident status, provided that they can declare residency in Missouri—this will also give them tuition at the in-state student rate.
With its large numbers of National Guard members and reservists, Missouri does have several military training facilities. There’s Camp Clark in the city of Nevada, on the southwest corner of the state. The Belton Army Reserve Center recently expanded to accommodate more enlistees, and the US Coast Guard Station in St. Louis is also a focal point for training. But in terms of where you will be stationed, there are two military bases in Missouri: one for the Army and one for the Air Force.
Army
- Fort Leonard Wood Army Base – Pulaski, MO
Home to the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Fort Leonard is a training site for as many as 80,000 active-duty service members and civilians each year. They focus on training U.S. Army Engineers and Military Police members. They also pride themselves in their commitment to higher education, aligning with universities and communities that enable access for cooperative degree programs. Covering over 3,000 square miles in south-central Missouri, Fort Leonard Wood is in a rural area that offers over 20 higher education institutions, competitive schools for military children, and innovative industries in technology and manufacturing. A gateway to more learning and career opportunities, Fort Leonard is an ideal station for someone ambitious to learn.
Air Force
- Whiteman Air Force Base – Johnson, MO
Whiteman AFB is the home of the 509th Bomb Wing. From Whiteman, the Air Force can launch combat sorties from Missouri to anywhere on the globe. Whiteman also has an especially close relationship with the University of Central Missouri; they often invite students and faculty for tours and offer robust opportunities for active-duty military members to engage in coursework at the university to advance their military training. If you’re stationed at Whiteman, you’re in an ideal position to seek higher learning and more opportunities.
Military Friendly Colleges in Missouri that Accept GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program Benefits
Of the more-than 2,000 colleges and universities that participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, only around 500 provide full funding and place no limits on the number of eligible students who can take advantage of it. These schools ensure that every eligible veteran who enrolls can count on full coverage of all tuition costs that exceed GI Bill® limits.
You’ll be glad to know that a number of those military friendly colleges and universities are located right here in Missouri:
American Business and Technology University
St Joseph, MO
Accreditation: DEAC
Online:
- Business Office Administration
- Certificate Business Administration
- A.A.S. Business Management
- A.A.S. Business Administration
- B.S. Certificate in Health Unit Coordinator
- Medical Office Administrative Assistant
- Certificate Allied Health
- A.A.S. Medical Billing and Coding
- A.A.S. Medical Billing and Coding
- A.A.S. Health Care Administration
- B.S. Computer Networking Systems
- A.A.S. Cybersecurity
- A.A.S. Computer Information Systems
- B.S. Computer Aided Design
- A.A.S. Applied Technology
Campus:
- Medical Assistant Certificate
- Nursing AAS
- HVAC Certificate
- Welding Certificate
Avila University
Kansas City, MO
Accreditation: HLC
Online:
- Business Office Administration
- Certificate Business Administration
- A.A.S. Business Management
- A.A.S. Business Administration
- B.S. Certificate in Health Unit Coordinator
- Medical Office Administrative Assistant
- Certificate Allied Health
- A.A.S. Medical Billing and Coding
- A.A.S. Medical Billing and Coding
- A.A.S. Health Care Administration
- B.S. Computer Networking Systems
- A.A.S. Cybersecurity
- A.A.S. Computer Information Systems
- B.S. Computer Aided Design
- A.A.S. Applied Technology
Campus:
- Medical Assistant Certificate
- Nursing AAS
- HVAC Certificate
- Welding Certificate
Chamberlain University
St Louis, Missouri
Accreditation: HLC
- College of Nursing
- College of Health Professions
Columbia College
Columbia / Fort Leonard Wood / Jefferson City / Kansas City / Osage Beach / Rolla / St Louis / Springfield, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Business Administration
- Computer & Mathematical Sciences
- Education
- History, Philosophy, Political Science & Criminal Justice
- Language & Communication Studies
- Nursing
- Physical and Biological Sciences
- Psychology, Sociology & Human Services
- Visual Arts & Music
Concorde Career College
Kansas City, MO
Accreditation: ACCSC
Diagnostic Programs
- Cardiovascular Sonography
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Polysomnographic Technology
Dental Programs
- Dental Assistant
Nursing Programs
- Practical Nursing
Allied Health Programs
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Office Administration
Patient Care Programs
- Respiratory Therapy
- Surgical Technology
Concordia Seminary
St Louis, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- Residential Alternate Route (RAR)
- Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP)
- Specific Ministry Pastor to General Pastor Certification (GPC)
- Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS)
- Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT)
- Online Deaconess Studies (ODS)
- Master of Arts (M.A.) with Deaconess Certification
- Master of Arts (M.A.) with Deaconess Certification + Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.)
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Devry University
Kansas City, MO
Accreditation: HLC
Associate Degrees
- Technology
- Engineering
- IT and Networking
- Network Systems Administration
- Business
- Healthcare
Bachelor's Degrees
- Business
- Computer Information Systems
- Healthcare Administration
- Accounting
- Liberal Arts
- Media Arts
Undergrad Certificates
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Business Essentials
- Cloud Computing
- IoT
- Technology
- Media Arts
Master's Degrees
- MBA
- Accounting
- Project Management
- Technology
- Business
- Healthcare
- Public Administration
- Human Resource Management
Graduate Certificates
- Human Resources Management
- Project Management
- Healthcare
- CPA Preparation
- Big Data and Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Global Supply Chain Management
Drury University Houston
Cabool / St Robert / Springfield, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Breech School Business Admin
- School of Communication
- School of Behavioral Science
- School of Art
- School of Music
- Breech School Business Admin
- School of Education
- School of Architecture-Professional
- College of Continuing Studies
Kenrick Glennon Seminary
Rolla, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Cardinal Glennon College
- Kenrick School of Theology
Lindenwood University
St Charles, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- College of Arts and Humanities
- Plaster College of Business and Entrepreneurship
- College of Education and Human Services
- College of Science, Technology, and Health
- Pre-Professional Programs
Logan University
Chesterfield, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Doctor Of Chiropractic
- Doctor Of Health Professions Education
- Master Of Science In Health Informatics
- Master Of Science In Nutrition And Human Performance
- Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and Dietetics
- Master Of Science In Sports Science And Rehabilitation
- Masters of Athletic Training
- Bachelor Of Science
Missouri Baptist University
Saint Louis, MO
Accreditation: HLC
Undergraduate
- School of Business
- School of Education
- Fine Arts Division
- Health & Sport Sciences Division
- Humanities Division
- Interdisciplinary Studies Division
- Natural Sciences Division
- School of Nursing
- Social & Behavioral Sciences Division
Graduate
- Graduate School of Business
- Graduate Counseling
- School of Education Graduate Programs
- Graduate Health & Sport Sciences Division
- MSN Programs
- Graduate Humanities Division
- Graduate Social & Behavioral Sciences Division
- Doctor of Education
Missouri Western State University
St Joseph, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- college of business and professional studies
- college of liberal arts
- college of science and health
- school of fine arts
- school of nursing and health professions
- Steven L. Craig School of Business
Saint Louis College of Health Careers
Fenton, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- RT (Respiratory Therapy-Associate and Bachelor’s)
- OTA (Occupational Therapy Assistant-Associate)
- PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant-Associate)
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- College of Agriculture Food and Natural Resources
- College of Arts and Science
- Trulaske College of Business
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Engineering
- Graduate School
- School of Health Professions
- Honors College
- Missouri School of Journalism
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- Sinclair School of Nursing
- College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Missouri Kansas City
Kansas City, MO
Accreditation: HLC
School of Law
University of Missouri St. Louis
St Louis, MO
Accreditation: HLC
Optometry
Washington University
St Louis, MO
Accreditation: HLC
Undergraduate:
- Arts and sciences
- Brown school
- McKelvey School of Engineering
- Olin Business School
- Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
- School of Law
- School of Medicine
- University College
Graduate:
- School of Arts and Science
- University College
- Engineering
- Law School
Webster University
St Louis / Fort Leonard Wood / Kansas City / Rolla, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Advertising and Marketing Communications
- Counseling
- Criminal Justice
- Cybersecurity
- Data Analytics
- Education
- Educational Leadership
- Health Administration
- Human Resources Development
- National Security Studies
- Management & Leadership
- Marketing
- MBA
- Media Communications
- Nurse Anesthesia Practice
- Procurement and Acquisitions Management
Westminster College
Fulton, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- Natural and Mathematical Sciences
William Jewell College
Liberty, MO
Accreditation: HLC
- Arts & Culture
- Business & Leadership
- Education
- Engineering
- Global Leadership
- Health & Human Services
- Marketing & Communications
- Performing Arts
- Science
- Social Services
- Technology & Innovation
- Writing
