Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application students use to apply for federal aid assistance.
You may apply for FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. The online application typically processes in 7 to 10 business days. Please note the delay for the 24-25 FAFSA might not process until much later.
You may also apply by submitting a paper FAFSA.
Yes. You are required to apply for each year you plan on enrolling at a college/university and expect to receive financial aid. The priority deadline for Missouri Southern State University is typically February 1. If any other documentation is required, you must submit it by May 1.
Please note dates might have changed due to the delay of the 24-25 FAFSA.
Yes. However, if you miss the priority deadline, there is no guarantee that you will receive your award letter before costs are due and you may need to sign up for the Monthly Tuition Payment Plan until your aid is awarded. Also, you will be ineligible for some state funding that may otherwise be available.
PELL Grant, SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), Stafford Direct Loans (Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized), and Work Study if available.
It usually takes approximately 7 – 10 days for MSSU to receive your FAFSA. If additional documents are needed by the MSSU Financial Aid Office, you will be contacted. When the FAFSA is complete and accurate, a counselor will then determine your aid eligibility and post the award in Lionet. Please note the recent 24-25 FAFSA delays, might delay your application being sent to MSSU for processing.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is an eligibility index number that your college’s or career school’s financial aid office uses to determine how much federal aid you would receive if you attended the school. This number results from the information that you provided on your FAFSA form. This number is NOT a dollar amount or aid eligibility or what your family is expected to provide. A negative SAI indicates the student has a higher financial need.
For more details about eligibility, click here.
Yes. Students who have not used their maximum allowed aid during the fall and spring semesters will be eligible for summer aid. You must have a FAFSA for the current academic year on file with the Financial Aid Office.
You must also complete a Summer Financial Aid Request Form after March 1st.
MSSU utilizes electronic notification through Lionet. Once you have been accepted to MSSU, you will receive a student ID number and password. You will need to sign into the student portal called Lionet and go to Financial Aid, select Award and award aid year, and read through the “Terms & Conditions” from the tab at the top of the award screen. You will then be able to view your award offer. You are required to accept, decline, or reduce the amount offered online.
Missouri Southern has two disbursement dates, one in the fall and one in spring. After the first disbursement for each semester weekly disbursements will be made for students still completing the financial aid process. If a credit balance remains, a refund will be issued electronically or by mail.
No. You must be enrolled in 6 hours for federal loans and if eligible for a federal Pell Grant, it would be prorated based on enrollment hours at the time of disbursement.
Please consult with the MSSU Financial Aid Office at 417-625-9325 or by email at finaid@MSSU.edu for your specific information. Dropping classes may cause a reduction in your award, cancellation of future disbursements, and/or you may not be eligible to receive future financial aid.
You also may not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress if you received loans and you drop below half-time, you will begin the grace period for repayment.
No. Apply as soon as possible and list the federal school codes for all schools you are considering. You will not receive a financial aid award letter until you have been accepted to MSSU and meet all other requirements. MSSU federal school code: 002488.
Yes, loans are part of the federal aid program.
A subsidized loan does not accrue interest while you are in school. The federal government pays the interest while you are in school. You only begin accruing interest when you begin making payments six months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half time.
The unsubsidized loan does accrue interest while you are in school. You have the option of paying the interest as it accrues.
By completing your FAFSA, you will be offered student loans by the Financial Aid Office. Missouri Southern State University is a participant in the Direct Loan Program, and you are not required to complete additional paperwork. Through the Direct Loan Program, MSSU draws loan funds directly from the Department of Education. If you accept a loan and are a first time borrower at MSSU, you will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Entrance Counseling at: www.studentaid.gov
Any degree-seeking student enrolled in at least six hours (1/2 time), is not in default on a past student loan, and is making satisfactory academic progress.
Loan amounts are determined by your dependency status, your grade level, and amounts you may have borrowed in the past. Generally, these are the loan limits based on grade level:
| Completed Hours | Dependent | Independent |
| 0-29 | $5,500 | $9,500 |
| 30-59 | $6,500 | $10,500 |
| 60-89 | $7,500 | $12,500 |
| 90+ hrs | $7,500 | $12,500 |
You begin payments on student loans six months after you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time.
According to the IRS tax year 2022, these are the thresholds by filing status. If an independent student (and spouse, if married), or a parent of a dependent student, were not required to file a federal income tax return for 2022, then the student will automatically receive a Student Aid Index (SAI) equal to –1500. They still need to provide consent when submitting the FAFSA so the IRS can confirm to Federal Student Aid (FSA) that the student, parents, and spouse did not file taxes.
If you are a dependent student, use only the income from the parent who supported you greater than 50%, see reference XXX to determine who your Parent of Record is. If you are an independent student, use only your income.
If you are a dependent student, your parent’s information must be included to determine your eligibility for federal aid. Under very limited special circumstances, a dependent student may have an option to appeal their dependency status. Examples of special circumstances include parents are incarcerated, you left an abusive family environment, you do not know where your parents are, and you have not been adopted. Examples of situations that are not included in special circumstances are: your parents do not want to provide their information, your parents refuse to contribute to your college expenses, your parents do not claim you as a dependent, or you do not live with your parents.
Contact your Financial Aid Counselor at Missouri Southern for more information.
Yes, you are still considered part of their family size unless you can answer yes to any of the following statements:
Any pending disbursements will be cancelled. You will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension at MSSU. You will not be eligible to receive financial aid in future semesters unless accepted through your Financial Aid Suspension Appeal. If you received loans and you drop below half-time, you will begin the grace period for repayment. For more information please review our Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and Withdrawal Information.
Failing part of your classes may affect your Satisfactory Academic Progress and may cause you to lose your financial aid eligibility. Please contact the MSSU Financial Aid Office at 417-625-9325 or finaid@MSSU.edu for your specific information. If you fail all classes, you will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and may result in a return of your federal financial aid award.
You are considered a dependent student for FAFSA purposes if you answer “No” to all Student Dependency Status questions on your FAFSA.
If they are married as of the day you fill out your FAFSA, you must also use the step-parent information and taxes on your FAFSA.
No. Whatever the student’s marital status on the day the FAFSA is submitted will remain the same throughout the academic year. Changes to student marital status are only permitted through the Professional Judgment petition in the Financial Aid Office. These are done on a case-by-case basis.
