My Military Benefits
This link provides a list of organizations who help children of military servicemembers and Veterans.
Columbia College
The Ousley Family Veterans Service Center at Columbia College aims to be the first stop resource for services including admissions support, GI Bill advising and certification, academic support, and networking opportunities with local military-friendly employers. From the initial transition into college, throughout students’ time on campus and even during the transition into the workplace, their team is dedicated to ensuring military-connected students have access to the resources they need.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The Edith Nourse Rogers Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Scholarship allows some eligible Veterans and dependents in high-demand fields to extend their Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship benefits. Read below to find out if you’re eligible for up to 9 months (or $30,000) of added benefits and how to apply.
US Grants
The US government and Missouri's office of finance has put in $13,568.00 million dollars in federal grants and $10,293.00 million dollars in other types of government financial assistance for citizens who reside in the state of Missouri. As long as you have a valid citizenship certificate (green card) or a permanent resident certificate, you could be eligible to apply and receive Missouri federal grants. Government financial aid in Missouri is distributed to different sectors, with the majority of the budget in business, education (pell & college grants), housing, veteran, and personal grants.
A variety of financial aid is available to help students and families pay for college. Grants and scholarships are awarded to students of all ages, and eligibility is based on many different factors including financial need, academic achievement, civic involvement, athletic ability, and other skills and interests.
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
For military service-members, moving to a new duty station often means going to a new state as well as a new school for your children, rest assured that the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make the transition smooth. The Defense Department, in collaboration with the National Center for Interstate Compacts and the Council of State Governments, developed the compact to address the educational transitions for military families. All 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the Department of Defense Education Activity, have committed to helping your children enroll in school, register for the classes they need and graduate on time.
DODEO
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing prekindergarten through 12th grade educational programs on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD). The Military Interstate Compact will ensure that the children of military families are afforded the same opportunities for educational success as other children and are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals. For more information contact Christine Nobbe at (573) 751-7754.
Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
The Missouri Returning Heroes Act, Section 173.900, RSMo, established August 28, 2008, as amended effective August 28, 2019, provides reduced tuition for certain combat veterans attending public institutions of higher education. For information about implementation of the requirements, please contact MDHEWD at (800) 473-6757, option 4.
Missouri State University
This office at the Springfield location serves as a place for Missouri State Veteran Students to receive assistance with VA educational benefits, a place to relax and meet with fellow Veterans, and much more.
Mizzou
This office at the Columbia location serves as a place for University of Missouri student Veterans to receive assistance with VA educational benefits, a place to relax and meet with fellow Veterans, and much more.
DESE
The Missouri legislature created Operation Recognition in September 2001 to provide honorary high school diplomas for Veterans and civilian prisoners of war (POWs) who left high school before graduation to serve in the military. Who is eligible for an honorary diploma?vAll civilian POWs who are residents or former residents of the state of Missouri and all honorably discharged Veterans who are residents or former residents of the state of Missouri who served in the United States military and who did not return to school and complete their education after their term of service shall be eligible to receive an honorary diploma. Family members may apply for the honorary diploma on behalf of a deceased Veteran.
Department of Defense (DoD)
The bicameral, bipartisan Servicemember Enrollment and Readmission for Valuable Education (SERVE) Act would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ensure that students called to serve in domestic, short-term National Guard and Reserve mobilizations are able to return to their studies.
Stephens College
Mission Promise Kept is a college program designed to meet the full spectrum of living and learning needs of women veterans. Participants and their children will live in a newly renovated on-campus apartment and receive the wraparound supports they need to thrive through a coordinated network of programs and services. For more information contact Elizabeth Herrera at (573) 876-7178 ext. 4168 or email: eherrera@stephens.edu
Missouri National Guard Logo
The Missouri State Tuition Assistance Program is available to Soldiers and Airmen of the Missouri National Guard (MONG) meeting the current Missouri State eligibility requirements outlined in 11 CSR 10-3.015.
UMKC
The UMKC Veterans Center aims to be the first stop resource for services including admissions support, GI Bill advising and certification, academic support, and networking opportunities with local military-friendly employers. From the initial transition into college, throughout students’ time on campus and even during the transition into the workplace, UMKC is dedicated to ensuring military-connected students have access to the resources they need.
UMSL Veterans Center
The UMSL Veterans Center aims to be the first stop resource for services including admissions support, GI Bill advising and certification, academic support, and networking opportunities with local military-friendly employers. From the initial transition into college, throughout students’ time on campus and even during the transition into the workplace, UMSL is dedicated to ensuring military-connected students have access to the resources they need.
University of Central Missouri
The UCM Student Veterans Center aims to be the first stop resource for services including admissions support, GI Bill advising and certification, academic support, and networking opportunities with local military-friendly employers. From the initial transition into college, throughout students’ time on campus and even during the transition into the workplace, UCM is dedicated to ensuring military-connected students have access to the resources they need.
KU Veterans Upward Bound
Offers free supportive services to ensure that Veterans have the motivation and skills necessary to enter and graduate from a post-secondary institution. Upward Bound is a TRIO Program funded by the U.S. Department of Education serving Veterans in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area including Leavenworth and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas, and Jackson, Cass, and Clay Counties in Missouri. For more information contact Lisa Schley at (913) 321-5512 or lschley@ku.edu.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Ask questions and get answers about your VA educational benefits: 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551). Call between 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday.
DESE Logo
The Veterans Education and Training Section is the State Approving Agency (SAA) for Missouri and is located in Jefferson City with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Missouri SAA is responsible for approving GI Bill programs in Missouri for Veterans and other eligible individuals.
This link provides information on how those who are interested in becoming substitute teacher in Missouri can do so. CALL: (573) 751-0051 or EMAIL: certification@dese.mo.gov for more information.
This news article discusses a recent modification to substitute teacher requirements in Missouri.
The Missouri legislature created Operation Recognition in September 2001 to provide honorary high school diplomas for veterans and civilian prisoners of war (POWs) who left high school before graduation to serve in the military. To date, over 1,600 honorary high school diplomas have been awarded to Missouri veterans. For more information call (573) 751-2571.
DHEWD Logo
Statewide
You may already be aware that you or your surviving family members could be eligible to receive educational assistance benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs', however, there are some additional benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Warriors to Work
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) Warriors to Work® (WtoW) program provides warriors and their family members with the resources and assistance they need to be successful in the civilian workforce. Program participants learn the skills necessary to find meaningful employment, live financially resilient lives, and be empowered to reach their highest career ambitions.
Department of Veterans Affairs
If you are using Chapter 30, Chapter 1606 or Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), you must verify your enrollment at the end of each month via WAVE.