Corps of Opportunity
The Corps of Opportunity (CO) is an institutional award that enables qualified students to better afford the
costs of pursuing a college education. Principal qualifications include need for
financial assistance, personal character, and scholastic potential. Full-time students
(12 hours per semester during the fall and spring) work 20 hours each week at approved
campus jobs. Combined with CO scholarships, earnings will cover all or most of the
cost of education, making an education at Missouri State-West Plains very affordable.
The Corps of Opportunity program means freedom from having to pay back large school
loans after graduation, and the on-the-job experience gained will add an extra dimension
to learning. CO students could begin their careers debt free, well educated, and
work experienced! CO students may work during the summer of their first term of selection
but may appeal to be excused from the second summer work requirement. Summer jobs
involve up to 40 hours per week, while fall and spring semester jobs are limited to
an average of no more than 20 hours per week. For summer assignments, CO students
must be enrolled for three (3) credit hours. Students not enrolled in summer classes
must have been enrolled for at least six (6) credit hours in the spring and pre-registered
for at least six (6) credit hours for the upcoming fall semester.
Corps of Opportunity positions are to be meaningful and meet legitimate needs of Missouri
State Univeristy-West Plains. The positions contribute to the student's learning
goals, provide services to large segments of the student body, assist with established
programs, provide new services to students and the campus, and/or contribute to the
aesthetics of the campus.
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CO Scholarships are in the amount of $2000 for the fall semester and $2000 for the spring, maximum.
Scholarships are reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of federal and state grants
(Pell, SEOG, A+, etc.) received, unless a balance remains after all other aid is applied.
Scholarship up to $2000 can then be used for actual student balance. CO scholarship
funds are applied to student accounts to pay educational and campus residence expenses.
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CO jobs involve up to 20 hours of work per week during the fall and spring semesters in various
campus offices and departments. The hourly wage for the 2023-2024 academic year is
$14.00. Some CO jobs are also available on a 40-hours-per-week basis during the summers;
however, during any 12-month period, the work component may not exceed 1000 hours.
CO students may apply for a one-year renewal; in very limited cases, a student may
receive a CO award for more than two years, but positions are typically held for no
more than two years.
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CO Internships are opportunities afforded to students enrolled in an Internship course at Missouri
State – West Plains. Awards for the CO Internship include scholarship in the amount
of the tuition/fees for the course and $14.00/hour for the required internship hours
up to 150 hours. Payment for internship hours worked will be made through the established
University payroll process. Typically, CO Internships will be completed on campus
but off campus internship work hours can be considered if the opportunity and experience
is beneficial to the student’s educational experience. CO Internship awards will
not extend beyond the term of the course.
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Application to the Corps of Opportunity will be made through the current Missouri
State University-West Plains scholarship application. In addition to the application,
a student must provide two letters of reference that describe his/her work ethic and
serious approach to studies and complete a one-page essay that addresses:
- Reasons for wanting to participate in the Corps of Opportunity program;
- Financial barriers that make attending school difficult; and
- Career and personal goals that illustrate a contribution to the community.
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Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provide
explanation for need on the application, maintain a 2.50 gpa or better, and be enrolled
as a full-time student. CO employees are subject to all of the policies and requirements
relating to campus student employment as outined in the Student Employment Handbook.
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Finalists for a CO job will be interviewed by the department head and/or the CO Committee
before final placement.
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All new CO student employees are required to complete the mandatory compliance training
for new hires. The required trainings must be completed within 30 calendar days from
their hire date. Successful completion of this training assignment requires completion
of both trainings: Discrimination Awareness in the Workplace and Title IX: Roles of
Responsible Employees. Additional training, such as HIPAA or FERPA training, may also
be required by the department. Documentation of completion must be provided to the
student's work supervisor. It is the supervisor's responsibility to see that all student
employees working in their department or office have the proper information on file.
Access to the required compliance training is through My Learning Connection.
- Log in to http://My.MissouriState.edu
- Visit the Student tab (student employees)
- Select the My Learning Connection link.
- Select the Compliance Training icon to view available trainings or enter the training
title in the Search bar in the upper right corner.
Please visit http://www.missouristate.edu/human/training/MyLearningConnection.htm for additional resources and information on how to access “My Learning Connection”
and to complete the online compliance courses.
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June 1 - Summer positions begin
August 1 - Fall positions begin
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Still have questions? Contact Student Services, located in Lybyer 207 or by calling
417-255-7255.
