Federal Financial Aid
Graduate Federal Aid
Graduate students must apply first through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after October 1 for the following academic year. Federal aid available to MBU graduate students includes the TEACH Grant, Federal Work Study funds, the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan and the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan.
In accordance with Title IV regulations, a student attending Missouri Baptist University is required to remain in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
Students who do not comply with current academic regulations are subject to review and possible termination of financial aid.
Students receiving federal assistance must meet all relevant eligibility requirements such as certifying that they are not in default on previous student loans or that they owe a repayment to the Federal Pell Grant program. This certification is done through the completion of the FAFSA.
Application for Federal Financial Aid
Missouri Baptist University requires all graduate students to follow the procedures outlined below when applying for student aid:
- Complete the admission process by submitting a degree seeking application, supplying all academic transcripts, along with appropriate test scores, and any other required admission materials.
- Complete the current award year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and request that the results be sent to Missouri Baptist University (Title IV School Code 007540).
- Students need to complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note for their loan(s) at https://studentaid.gov/. This site is also where a student completes the PLUS Request for the Graduate PLUS loan. Once the loan has been originated, an award notification will be sent detailing specific financial assistance. Revised award notifications may be issued if eligibility changes.
- Admission and financial aid files, including federal verification process if student is chosen, must be complete before any federal aid is disbursed.
- Federal aid is generally not available to students who fail to complete these items prior to ceasing enrollment.
Important Dates
UPCOMING YEAR - 2025-2026
| October 1 |
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year. |
| February 1 |
Priority date for students who have completed a FAFSA to qualify for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG). |
| February 1 |
Priority deadline to apply for Access Missouri Grant Program or the upcoming academic year. |
CURRENT YEAR - 2024-2025
| August 19 |
Deadline for completion of student financial aid files in order to receive institutional financial aid for Fall (current) semester. |
| January 6 |
Deadline for completion of student financial aid file in order to receive institutional financial aid for Spring (current) semester. Aid for students applying after this date will be considered as funds are available. |
| June 30 |
Deadline to file Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the current academic year. (Please note: Direct Loans cannot be processed once the term has ended.) |
Federal and State Aid
Federal and state aid is primarily based on financial need. Students must apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://studentaid.gov to be considered.
The FAFSA provides a guideline for an estimate of family contribution. After the family contribution is subtracted from the cost of attendance (including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, personal items, travel expenses, etc.), the result is the need of the student.
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Cost of Attendance (tuition, room and board, books, supplies, personal items, travel expenses, etc.) |
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SAI: Student Aid Index (student and parent, if dependent) |
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Student’s Need |
Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible after October 1 for the following academic year’s FAFSA.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility
Missouri Baptist University completes Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) once a year at the end of the spring semester. Financial aid recipients must demonstrate through their scholastic records that they are making satisfactory academic progress toward completion of their program(s) of study in order to maintain eligibility for enrolling in classes and receiving any form of federal financial assistance. Academic progress for financial aid is measured at the end of each year utilizing qualitative and quantitative standards.
Credit Definitions
Credits attempted are defined as all classes for which a student receives a passing grade (“C” or better), or an “F”, “XF”, “IP”, “IN”, “W”, “WF”. Credits earned are defined as all classes for which a student receives a passing grade (“C” or better). Repeated courses count as credits attempted during each term the student is enrolled in the course; however, the highest grade will be counted once as credits earned.
Qualitative Standards for Financial Aid Eligibility
At the end of the spring semester, ALL students who have an overall cumulative GPA below a 3.0 will be placed on Federal Aid Suspension for the next semester.
Quantitative Standards for Financial Aid Eligibility
This standard has two components: maximum time frame and course completion rate. The maximum time frame in which a student must complete an educational program of study cannot exceed 150 percent of the published program length measured in credit hours attempted. Example: A student pursuing an educational program that requires 36 hours would be allowed to attempt a maximum of 54 hours [36 x 150 percent (1.5) = 54]. The number of hours attempted includes any transfer hours accepted from other institutions that are applied to the student’s program of study. In conjunction with the maximum program length, students must successfully complete (measured as credit hours earned) at least 66.67 percent of all coursework attempted as they progress through their program of study. This is a cumulative process, illustrated as follows: A student has maintained satisfactory academic progress for the first year of enrollment. However, at the end of the second year, the student’s academic transcript indicates 45 hours attempted and 27 hours earned. The course completion rate is 60.0 percent (27 divided by 45). The student does not meet the required 66.67 percent standard and thus will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and the student will have to appeal to the Financial Aid Committee to receive federal aid for the next semester.
Financial Aid Suspension
Students on Financial Aid Suspension are not eligible for any form of federal financial assistance and remain ineligible until satisfactory academic progress standards are met or there has been an approved appeal or approved academic plan.
Appeal Process
Students who feel mitigating circumstances existed which adversely affected their ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress may submit a written appeal. This appeal should be directed to the Financial Services Office. The Financial Aid Committee will hold a hearing in a timely manner to consider the appeal. If a student’s appeal is approved by the Financial Aid Committee, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for one term. After the Financial Aid Probation term students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) or must successfully follow their academic plan. If the student’s appeal is not approved the student has no additional recourse.
Students placed on Federal Aid Suspension will remain on suspension unless an appeal is approved by the Financial Aid Committee or they reach satisfactory academic progress by taking courses without federal aid. The student will have two options.
- Option 1: Students submit an application to the Financial Aid Committee asking to extend their financial aid for one semester with an explanation of their prior grades and what they will do to achieve a 3.0 by the end of the next semester. They may be placed on probation for one semester (generally the fall) and must be maintaining SAP by the end of that semester. If not, they may be placed back on Federal Aid Suspension with no additional appeal process until they have once again achieved Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- Option 2: Students complete an appeal form and submit it to the Financial Aid Committee and also submit an Academic Plan. This Academic Plan must explain how they will attain SAP by a certain timeframe, not to exceed one academic year. At the end of the academic year, they must be maintaining SAP. In addition, each semester, they will be reviewed and must be making progress towards their plan.
Students who do not comply with current academic regulations are subject to review and possible termination of financial aid.
The SAP regulations of this section supersede all similar policies in previous catalogs and are effective for all students as of July 1, 2011.
TEACH Grants
Teach Grant Program
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for undergraduate degree-seeking students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. Students may receive up to $16,000. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be reduced. The grant is not available for post-baccalaureate teacher certification coursework.
IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLETE THE FOUR-YEAR TEACHING OBLIGATION, YOU WILL HAVE TO REPAY THE GRANT WITH INTEREST!
Student Eligibility Requirements
To receive a TEACH Grant you must:
TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay
Each year you receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay (Service Agreement). The TEACH Grant service agreement specifies the conditions under which the grant will be awarded, the teaching service requirements, and includes an acknowledgment by you that you understand that if you do not meet the teaching service requirements you must repay the grant as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were first disbursed.
Teaching Obligation
To avoid repaying the TEACH Grant with interest you must be a highly-qualified, full-time teacher in a high-need subject area for at least four years at a school serving low-income students. You must complete the four years of teaching within eight years of finishing the program for which you received the grant. You incur a four-year teaching obligation for each educational program for which you received TEACH Grant funds, although you may work off multiple four-year obligations simultaneously under certain circumstances. Specific definitions of these terms are included below.
Highly-Qualified Teacher
You must perform the teaching service as a highly-qualified teacher, which is defined in federal law.
Full-Time Teacher
You must meet the state’s definition of a full-time teacher and spend the majority (at least 51 percent) of your time teaching one of the high-need subject areas. Elementary teachers who teach many subjects would not be able to fulfill their service agreement.
High-Need Subject Areas
Schools Serving Low-Income Students
Schools serving low-income students include any elementary or secondary school that is listed in the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits.
Documentation
You must respond promptly to any requests for information or documentation from the U.S. Department of Education, even if they seem repetitive. These requests will be sent to you while you are still in school as well as once you are out of school. You will be asked regularly to confirm that you either still intend to teach or that you are teaching as required. You must provide documentation to the U.S. Department of Education at the end of each year of teaching.
If you temporarily cease enrollment in your program of study or if you encounter situations that affect your ability to begin or continue teaching, you will need to stay in touch with the U.S. Department of Education to avoid your grants being converted to loans before you are able to complete your teaching obligation.
Important Reminder
Failure to complete the teaching obligation, respond to requests for information, or properly document your teaching service will cause the TEACH Grant to be permanently converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan with interest. Once a grant is converted to a loan it cannot be converted back to a grant!
For more information about pursuing a TEACH Grant-eligible program, contact Kathleen Wendt, Director of Teacher Education Certification Advising, at 314-392-2324.
For more information regarding eligibility for a TEACH Grant, contact Amber Howell, Financial Services Counselor, at 314-392-2366.
Graduate Loans
Eligible loan disbursements will be made after the beginning of each semester. Credit refunds will be issued as a direct deposit or as a check mailed to students once eligibility is verified at disbursement, typically no sooner than the end of the 5th week of the term.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan Program
The amount varies up to $20,500 per year for graduate students. This is a government-insured loan. Students must first file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet all other federal eligibility requirements. Students must be enrolled for at least three credit hours each semester.
Student loan credit refund checks will be direct deposited or mailed to the address on file within 14 days of disbursement as mandated by federal law.
Federal Grad PLUS Loans
This is a credit-based loan available to graduate students. Applicants must complete the PLUS Request and Graduate PLUS Master Promissory Note at https://studentaid.gov. The amount of loan is limited to the cost of education minus financial aid. Amount of loan may vary for each application, and students are encouraged to borrow the maximum amount available through the Federal Direct Student Loan Program each year before they may borrow a Grad PLUS Loan. Contact the Student Financial Services Office for information. Students must be enrolled for at least 3 credit hours each semester and meet all other federal eligibility requirements.
Military Benefits and Aid
Veterans Assistance (VA)
Information may be obtained from Kathie Pitts or Kathy Hammers, the VA Certifying Officials in the Records Office.
Post 911 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program
Missouri Baptist University is pleased to offer a tuition-free education to students who qualify for full benefits under the Post 911 GI Bill. Veterans must have served more than 36 cumulative months of active duty since Sept. 10, 2001. Visit this website to determine eligibility for Post 911 GI Benefits or to apply. For information on MBU’s Yellow Ribbon Program, which will cover the balance of tuition after Post 911 benefits are applied, contact the VA Certifying Official in the Records Office or Student Financial Services Office. The MBU Yellow Ribbon match will automatically be awarded to students for whom the institution receives Post 911 GI Bill funds. Students must be eligible for 100% of the Post 911 GI Bill to qualify for Yellow Ribbon.
MBU will not impose any penalty including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a Post 911 GI Bill (Chapter 33) recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his/her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site.
Vocational Rehabilitation
The federal government provides numerous benefits through the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Specific questions pertaining to benefit eligibility at Missouri Baptist University should be directed to Zach Greenlee, Director of Student Financial Services.
MBU will not impose any penalty including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31) recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his/her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Montgomery GI Bill®
The Montgomery GI Bill predates the Post 911 GI Bill and is applicable to students who do not qualify, or are not eligible for full benefits, under the new GI Bill. Tuition benefits vary by type of educational program, length of service, military rank and applicable kickers. Click here to determine eligibility for benefits or to apply.
MBU will not impose any penalty including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30) recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his/her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Graduate Institutional Financial Aid
Alumni Concession
All recipients of a Missouri Baptist University baccalaureate degree are eligible to receive a concession on future coursework of:
- One half of undergraduate tuition, except when receiving corporate partnership discounts or enrolling in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
- $750 concession per semester of full-time enrollment (6+ hours) in 500-level courses. Students receiving corporate partnership discounts or other promotional pricing rates are not eligible.
Note: Concession is not available to students pursuing Doctoral coursework. Students pursuing teacher certification courses while also completing graduate coursework are eligible to be considered for both the undergraduate and graduate concession.
Faculty/Staff Graduate Concession
All full-time employees may be eligible to receive a 50% tuition concession on Masters and Education Specialist programs and 25% on Doctorate programs.
Law Enforcement Grant
A grant of up to $500 per semester is available to full-time graduate students who are pursuing the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree and who are employed as law enforcement officers. To be eligible, students must submit a copy of their law enforcement identification card at the beginning of each academic year to the Financial Services Office.
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