Fast Track Incentive Grant

Adult students can receive free tuition through the state's new Fast Track program

Receiving a diploma during Graduation

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a new financial aid program that addresses workforce needs by encouraging adults to pursue a certificate, degree, or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need. The financial aid program ensures, when combined with other government resources, that tuition and fees are fully covered for eligible students age 25 and older who are seeking a degree, certificate or industry-recognized credential in a high-demand career. Students younger than 25 also may be eligible to receive the grant if they haven’t been enrolled in any educational program within the last two years.

Return to school

Qualifying adult students may receive free tuition with this grant to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need.

See MSU-WP's qualifying degrees and certificates

How much does this grant provide?

The Fast Track grant is designed to ensure, when combined with other governmental financial aid, that tuition and fees are fully covered. Awards will be for any remaining tuition and fees not covered by other state and federal student aid programs. For individuals for which other aid covers the full tuition and fee costs, students are eligible for an award of up to $500 to cover other education-related expenses.

Need more information?

Fast Track Eligibility Requirements

This grant may be renewed by meeting all of the initial requirements listed below and by making satisfactory progress, which includes maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

- You must be at least 25 years old or have not been enrolled in an education program at any level within the past two years.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- You must be a Missouri resident,
- an active duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri,
- or the spouse of an activity duty military member.
- If you are a student who is a Missouri resident, you must have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
- Enroll at least half-time at Missouri State University in one of MSU's qualifying degrees and certificates.
- Have not yet earned a bachelor's degree.
- Earning no more than $40,000 per year as single tax filer, or no more than $80,000 per year as a joint tax filer.
- Receipt of the grant for four semesters or the equivalent.
- Receipt of a bachelor’s degree.
- Reaching 200 percent of the academic time typically required to complete the program of study.

Missouri State-West Plains' programs approved for funding

The program can be completed online.

Degrees include:

Business (AAS)
Business (AS)
Community Behavioral Health Support (AAS)
Computer Science (AS)
Child and Family Development (AA)
Child and Family Development (AAS)
Elementary Education (AAT)
Hospitality Leadership (AAS)
Health Information Technology (HIT) (AAS)
Nursing (ASN)
Technology (AAS)
Technology (AS)
Human Services (AA)
Information Science and Technology (AAS)

Certificates include:

Agriculture
- Agricultural Business
Business
Child and Family Development
- Advanced Child & Family Development
- Basic Child and Family Development
Health Information Technology
Hospitality Leadership
- - Advanced Hospitality Leadership
  - Basic Hospitality Leadership
Information Science and Technology
- Information Technology
- Aerial and Geospatial Technology
Technology

Non-Credit Certificates approved for Fast Track funding include:

Certified Nurse Assistant
Human Resources
- Professional Human Resources (PHR)/Senior Professional Human Resources
- Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR) Certification Preparation
Industrial Drafting
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Machining Technology
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Program
Phlebotomy Technician

For more information on the non-credit certificates, call Workforce Development at 417-255-7784.Fast Track grant awards will cover any remaining tuition and fees not covered by other state and federal student aid programs. When other aid programs cover all tuition and fees, students could receive up to $500 to cover other education-related expenses.

How do I apply?

Select one of the Missouri State-West Plains’ eligible career track programs.
Complete the Fast Track application through the State Student Financial Aid Portal. Read the instructions for registering for the portal and to complete your Fast Track application.
Complete the FAFSA each year you are enrolled (or are planning to enroll) in college. Individuals interested in receiving Fast Track for the 2023-2024 academic year will need to complete the 2023-2024 FAFSA, using tax information from 2021.

For more information about the program and how to apply, visit the Missouri Department of Higher Education’s Fast Track website, MoFastTrack.com.

For more information on how Fast Track can be used for Missouri State-West Plains’ degrees and certificates:

New students can contact the admissions office at 417-255-7955 or WPAdmissions@MissouriState.edu
Current Missouri State-West Plains students can contact the financial aid office at 417-255-7243 or WPFinancialAid@MissouriState.edu

VISIT MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR DETAILS