Missouri Western State University Scholarships for International Students

Missouri Western State University (MWSU) actively seeks to attract talented international students by offering various scholarship opportunities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the scholarships available to international students at MWSU, focusing on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and award details.

Commitment to International Students

Missouri Western State University demonstrates its commitment to international students by striving for excellence and attracting promising individuals from around the globe. The university recognizes the value of a diverse student body and offers several scholarships to support international students in their academic pursuits.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Black and Gold Scholarship

The Black and Gold Scholarship is a merit-based award that is automatically considered for international students based on their GPA as calculated by the international admissions team. Standardized tests like SAT or ACT are not required for this scholarship or admission. The scholarship is renewable each year, providing ongoing financial support to deserving students. There is no extra application for the Black and Gold Scholarship. All awards will be made with your acceptance letter.

Black & Gold Global Scholarship

The Black & Gold Global Scholarship (BGGS) is another merit-based scholarship that is awarded based on GPA, as determined by the international admissions team. This scholarship is also renewable annually. There is no separate application required for the BGGS.

Competitive Scholarships

General Scholarship Application

To be considered for Missouri Western Competitive Scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year, all students must complete the General Scholarship Application requirements no later than April 1, 2026. This application can be found within your GoldLink account.

The combined total of Missouri Western and Foundation scholarships may not exceed the recipient’s actual charges for tuition and related fees, course-related fees, admissions fees, campus housing, and meal plan costs. Scholarship funds cannot be disbursed to the recipient in the form of cash or a ‘credit balance’ check, except for scholarships specifically allocated for book costs. Students with documentable circumstances beyond their control may appeal this rule.

International Griffon Scholar Award (IGSA)

The International Griffon Scholar Award (IGSA) is a competitive scholarship covering full tuition, room, board, and fees for an outstanding international student with significant financial need. In addition to the regular admissions application, a separate IGSA application is required. A GPA of 3.8 or higher is generally expected for IGSA consideration. While the IGSA covers most educational costs, students are expected to contribute at least $2,000 per year to their education to cover expenses such as airfare and personal clothing.

Other Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

While the following programs are primarily for US citizens and residents, it's important to be aware of them as eligibility requirements can change.

A+ Scholarship Program

High school students with an A+ stamped transcript may receive a scholarship of $750 per academic year.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

A $500 scholarship is awarded to full-time students transferring to Missouri Western from a two-year college who are members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Eligible students must have earned no more than 90 credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5.

Griffon Rate Waiver

Undergraduate students who are US citizens from Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming may qualify for admission to Missouri Western State University under the Griffon Rate and be eligible to pay the equivalent of in-state tuition. Entering first-year students must reside in university-operated residence halls for their first two semesters to receive the Griffon Rate Waiver beginning fall of 2024.

Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MSEP)

Residents of Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may be eligible for reduced tuition rates through the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MSEP) for specific designated programs. Eligible undergraduate students will be charged no more than 150% of the in-state, on-campus tuition rate for specific programs. First-time freshmen must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all high school coursework; transfer students must have earned a 3.0 GPA for all college-level coursework. Recipients must maintain a 2.0 GPA for renewal.

Access Missouri

Access Missouri is a need-based program for US citizens or permanent residents who are also Missouri residents. Eligibility is determined by the student’s expected family contribution (EFC) as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible, students must complete the FAFSA by February 1 each year, have an EFC less than $12,000, be enrolled full-time (12 hours) as an undergraduate student, maintain a 2.50 GPA, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, and not have exceeded 150 attempted credit hours.

Advanced Placement Incentive Grant

This grant requires achieving two grades of three or higher on Advanced Placement exams in math and/or science while attending a Missouri public high school and receiving an award under the Access Missouri Student Financial Assistance Program or the A+ Scholarship Program in the academic year in which the grant is awarded.

Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a financial aid program for adults pursuing education and skills in high-demand fields. The grant is designed to fully cover tuition and fees when combined with other governmental financial aid.

Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program (THEA)

This merit-based program encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri post-secondary schools. To be eligible, you must have earned a composite score on the American College Testing Program (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in the top 3 percent of all Missouri students taking those tests. New legislation allows students whose ACT or SAT composite scores are in the top four and five percent of all Missouri students taking those tests to be eligible to receive an award beginning in the fall of 2010 (conditional on sufficient state appropriations).

Missouri National Guard Educational Assistance Program

The Missouri National Guard Educational Assistance Program is a state-sponsored program that pays 50 to 100% of the tuition costs per semester, covering up to 30 hours per academic year.

Missouri Nurse Education Loan Repayment Program

To be eligible, the applicant must be a Missouri resident attending a Missouri institution seeking an education leading to licensure as a practical or professional nurse. Missouri residents are those who lived in this state for more than one year for any purpose other than to attend an educational institution. Must be enrolled or accepted full time (with the exception of doctoral students seeking Ph.D., D.N.P. or Ed.D.) and the nursing program must have an 80% pass rate.

Missouri Returning Heroes’ Education Act

On August 28, 2008, the Missouri Returning Heroes’ Education Act (Senate Bill 830) was enacted into law. To remain eligible for this waiver, you must maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher.

MO$T Program

With the MO$T Program you are able to save for future higher education costs and save on taxes, too. Open a MO$T account under the Program on behalf of a designated beneficiary. The amount contributed each year can be deducted from your Missouri state taxable income (up to a maximum of $8,000 per taxpayer per year). The investment earnings on the money you contribute to the account will be able to build on both a federal and state tax-free basis.

Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant Program

These grants are available annually to children and spouses of Veterans whose deaths or injuries were: a result of combat action or were attributed to an illness that was contracted while serving in combat action, or who became 80% disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since September 11, 2001. The total number of veterans that may receive a grant in any year is limited by statute to 25.

University Application and Scholarship Opportunities

The Missouri Western State University has opened its Application portal for interested incoming students to study at the University and have the opportunity to benefit from the Scholarship Award Program. The Missouri Western Scholarship has been very supportive for both domestic and International Students, this is why this scholarship is a very competitive scholarship with about 250 scholarships to be Awarded to successful Applicants Every year. The University has a tradition of providing and Improving the Quality of Education and Also offers Affordable Education to its Students in the united states or globally. They offers Various Degree courses, professional Courses, Baccalaureate degree Courses, associate degree Program and One-year certification program. All students are to apply for General Scholarship Application Online Portal but Additional Scholarship Application is Needed for Graduate of school and Music, This is not a Fully-Funded scholarship but Most of the Cost are Incurred by the University as It starts with an initial award ranging from $500 to $4,000 that automatically renews and grows each year as long as you remain enrolled full-time, meet the hours completed requirement and are in good academic standing (2.0 GPA). When your application is received by the Missouri western state university administration or International Admission team in line with the U.S standardized testing, Scholarship will be Awarded by the calculated based on your GPA.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Missouri Western State University offers a wide variety of endowed scholarships, each with its own specific criteria. Here are a few examples:

Alan J. Cabiness Scholarship: Established in memory of Alan J. Cabiness, a 1977 graduate of Missouri Western.
Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship: Assists undergraduate legacy students whose parent(s), step-parent(s), or grandparent(s) are graduates of Missouri Western State University. Requires a minimum GPA of 2.75.
Ambassador Scholarship: Established by the Missouri Western Ambassadors group to assist nontraditional students who are 25 years or older and enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester.
Andrews-Whitaker Scholarship: Provided by Mr. and Mrs. Patrick H. Whitaker in memory of their parents.
Anne Reed Gray Scholarship: For full-time students in good standing who are declared majors in one of the programs within the School of Fine Arts.
Dr. Nancy Tanner Edwards Scholarship: Supports prospective teachers from populations traditionally underrepresented as classroom educators in the public schools of the United States. Full-time students in good academic standing who are declared majors in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Secondary Education may apply.
A. W. Warren Trust Scholarship: Assists Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education majors who are student teaching during their Senior year. Students must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing.
Baker Scholarship: Established in honor of Cecil Baker, Cordelia Ruth Baker, Betty I. Baker, and Jack P. Baker.
Blake K. Scanlon Grant: Established by Dr. James J. and Lauren K. Scanlon in honor of their son, Blake K. Scanlon. Dr. James J. Scanlon was Missouri Western's President from 2001-2008.
Bob and Fern Dawson Scholarship: Recipients must be full-time students at the junior or senior level who are majoring in Education or Art Education. Preference will be given to first-generation college students.
Brad Arn Memorial Scholarship: For Criminal Justice or Legal Studies majors, with preference given to St. Joseph Police Department employees or their children.
Carol and Jim McCarthy Scholarship: Recipients must be full-time students in good academic standing who have completed at least 60 hours with a declared Business major.
Chris Faros Memorial Scholarship: Established in memory of Chris Faros, one of the first football captains at Missouri Western.
Clark G. Glaze Scholarship: Established through the St. Joseph Junior College in 1954 by Mr. and Mrs. Clark C. Glaze.
Clayton J. Thomas Scholarship: Applicants must be declared majors in Mathematics or related science courses, preferably Computer Science.
Clifford Hughes '55 Scholarship: For members of the Black Student Union who have completed at least 30 credit hours. This scholarship honors the life and legacy of the first Black graduate of the institution.
CliftonLarsonAllen (Sanders, Mogg and Associates) Scholarship: Recipients must be full-time, junior or senior level students majoring in Accounting.
Connie Wollenman Medical Technology Scholarship: To support students pursuing the field of medical technology/clinical science.
Constance Fauntleroy Runcie Scholarship: Established by the Runcie Club in honor of Constance Fauntleroy Runcie, who organized the first Literary club in St. Joseph in 1894.
Corinne Lovett Hancock Scholarship: Established through a bequest from Corinne Lovett Hancock, a 1943 St. Joseph Junior College graduate.
Helen Gettys Scholarship: For degree-seeking students who have completed a minimum of 28 hours.
Dan D. De Kraai Memorial Fund: For students attending the Law Enforcement Academy who demonstrate qualities of leadership.
Donald P. and Diane J. Coleman Scholarship: For full-time, junior or senior level students in good standing, with preference given to applicants with a desire to become a Construction Project Manager and applicants with extensive travel experience.
Doris C. and Earle R. Dawson Scholarship: For nontraditional students, with preference being given to students continuing their education after raising their children.
Dr. Wallace McDonald Scholarship: Established by the family of Rose Hirsch in appreciation of the care Dr. Wallace McDonald gave during her lifetime.
Dr. Frances Flanagan Scholarship: Established by Dr. Frances Flanagan, a 1935 graduate of St. Joseph Junior College.
Dr. Gilbert "Gib" Kelley Scholarship: Established in honor of Dr. Gilbert "Gib" Kelley, who served on the Missouri Western Foundation Board.
Dr. H.E. and Elizabeth Gladfelter Scholarship:
Dr. James Mehl Outstanding Faculty Scholar Award:
Dr. Janet Murphy McCarthy Memorial Scholarship: For full-time students in good standing.
Dr. Joseph and Gladys Friedman Scholarship: Recipients must be full-time, sophomore, junior or senior level students in good standing who have been admitted into the Nursing program.
Dr. Joseph Friedman Scholarship: Applicants must be full-time, sophomore, junior or senior level students in good standing.
Dr. Keith R. Roberts Scholarship: Recipient must be full-time students in good standing who have declared a major in a field of natural science (Biology, Chemistry, or Physics). Pre-professional majors are not eligible. Preference will be given to students engaged in undergraduate, natural sciences research or with interest in seeking a graduate degree in natural sciences.
Dr. Michael McKenzie Scholarship:
Dr. Archer Scholarship:

Application Process

Complete the Regular Admission Application: Apply for admission into your preferred course at Missouri Western State University.
Submit Required Documents:
- Complete official high school academic credentials
- Proof of English language proficiency
Complete the IGSA Scholarship Application (if applicable): If applying for the International Griffon Scholar Award, complete the separate IGSA application.
Submit Supporting Documents (for IGSA):
- Most recent resume
- Letters of reference from preferred referees
- Supplemental documents that you feel would be useful to the Scholarship Committee

Important Considerations for International Students

Financial Support: Proof of financial support is required to receive your I-20 form, which is necessary for obtaining a student visa.
Estimated Costs: Be aware of the estimated costs for two semesters (9 months), which include tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other expenses.
Health Insurance: A health insurance plan is automatically included on the student bill. Waivers may be permitted for US-based employer plans for dependents or for visiting students on program-sponsored plans. Buying your own travel insurance plan in your country will not waive the health insurance plan. The USA health insurance system has user costs when insurance is accessed.
Dependent Costs: If you have dependents, be prepared for additional costs for housing, utilities, food, and school expenses.

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