What is the Missouri Returning Heroes Act?
The Missouri Returning Heroes Act is a Missouri law that requires public postsecondary institutions to limit eligible combat veterans' tuition to $50 per credit hour.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- A veteran must have served in an armed combat zone anytime between September 11, 2001 and the present. The combat zone is designated by the U.S. Department of Defense and can typically be found on a veteran's DD 214.
- When first entering the military, a veteran must have been a Missouri resident.
- A veteran must have been honorably discharged from military service.
- A veteran must be enrolled in a program that is leading to an undergraduate certificate, or an associate degree.
Can a member of the Reserves or National Guard be considered for tuition reduction?
Yes, if he/she served in an armed combat zone under a call of active service and in a full-time capacity for more than 30 consecutive days.
How do I apply for Missouri Returning Heroes?
An application can be found in the financial aid MO Returning Heroes Act Application.
What is the value of Missouri Returning Heroes?
The value is determined for each individual based on current enrollment and other financial assistance. For the fall 2008 semester, we will subtract from the veteran's tuition any gift aid that is designated for tuition and fees, such as, but not limited to, Pell Grants, Access Missouri, APLUS and Tuition Assistance through Vocational Rehabilitation. From the balance, we will subtract the number of credit hours multiplied by $50 (the tuition limit established by the legislation). Any remaining amount will be credited to the veteran's account unless that amount, when combined with other financial aid (including loans and GI Bill® benefits not earmarked for tuition) exceeds the cost of attendance. The following is an example of how the University will determine benefits based on 2008-2009 Missouri State University-West Plains fees.
Examples:
Jacob is enrolled in 12 credit hours for the fall 2008 semester and tuition is $102 per credit hour. He is receiving $500 in Pell Grant, $11,000 in GI Bill® benefits that are not designated solely for tuition and fees and $2,000 in Stafford Loans. His tuition waiver will be $124.
| 12 x $102 = $1,224 | Tuition |
| (less) $ 500 | Pell Grant |
| $ 724 | Amount of tuition after subtracting the aid that is required to be subtracted |
| (less) $ 600 | ($12 x $50) |
| $ 124 | Amount of tuition waiver unless it exceeds total cost of attendance |
Examples of gift aid, but not limited to, that will be applied to the veteran's account before determining the amount of Missouri Returning Heroes for which he/she may be eligible.
- Pell Grant
- SEOG Grant
- Bright Flight
- Marguerite Ross Barnett Memorial Scholarship
- APLUS Scholarship Program
- Access Missouri
- Tuition Assistance
- Veteran's Vocational Rehabilitation
Examples of gift aid that will not be applied to the veteran's account before determining the amount of Missouri Returning Heroes for which he/she may be eligible.
- Federal Stafford Loans
- GI Bill® benefits not designated solely for tuition and fees
How will the tuition reduction be applied?
Once a veteran is determined to be eligible for the Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act by Veterans Services, the office of financial aid will determine the amount of the waiver. The waiver will then be applied to the veteran's account.
Is the amount of the benefit subject to change?
Yes. Because the final amount is determined after financial assistance is considered, a tuition waiver may be adjusted as additional financial assistance is awarded.
Is a veteran required to apply for financial aid or GI Bill® benefits?
No, the state does not require a veteran to apply for either.
Is there a GPA requirement to be eligible?
Although there is no initial GPA requirement, a veteran must maintain a 2.50 cumulative, University GPA in order to be eligible for the following semester.
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 at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.