Lawful Presence for Purposes of State and Institutional Aid
WPO 5.08-14 Lawful Presence for Purposes of State and Institutional Aid (Op5.08-19)
Missouri law (RSMo. 173.1110) requires institutions of higher education to verify that individuals receiving a post-secondary education public benefit, under which payments, assistance, credits or reduced rates or fees are provided, are lawfully present in the United States.
A post-secondary education public benefit is defined as state-administered grants and scholarships and institutional funding, such as scholarships and grants, awarded by a college or university.
The following may be used to verify citizenship, permanent residency, or lawful presence in the United States:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) if eligible to complete
OR one of the following documents:
- A state-issued driver’s license;
- A state-issued non-driver’s license;
- An official domestic State Identification Card;
- U.S. birth certificate;
- U.S. military identification card; or
- U.S. Passport.
NOTE: Effective July 1, 2015, consistent with Missouri House Bill 3 passed by the 98th General Assembly, students who have been granted deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) are not eligible for state and/or institutional aid.
For those students receiving state-administered grants/scholarships and/or institutionally funded grants/scholarships, Missouri State University-West Plains will require one of the above-mentioned items in order to disburse financial aid.
Documentation should be provided in person to the Office of Financial Aid located in Cass Hall. The documentation must be an original or a notarized copy of an original.
Line of authority
Responsible administrator and office: Vice Chancellor of Student Services
Contact person in that office: Coordinator of Financial Aid
Chancellor Approval: