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Have an IEP? MOScholars could help pay for private school
Katie Stalter


MOScholars, Missouri’s K-12 scholarship program, opened for the 2024-25 academic year on February 1. Last year, funds were depleted very quickly, and they do prioritize previous MOScholars recipients.

The State of Missouri launched the program on July 1, 2022, to provide financial support to qualifying families to offset educational expenses ranging from private schools to therapeutic services.

Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Service Plan (ISP) who attend a private school are eligible for the scholarship, as long as they live in a Missouri county with at least 30,000 residents. Scholarships are $6,375 each. Please note that the student’s IEP or ISP must be dated within the past 36 months. 

Nonprofit Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs) award the scholarships, and recipients must apply to them directly. A list of EAOs can be found here: treasurer.mo.gov/MOScholars/EAOs Those interested in applying may review the Parent Handbook and reach out to EAOs to learn more about their individual requirements. 

In addition to tuition, scholarships may be used for:

  • Textbooks required by a qualified school
     
  • Educational therapies or services from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider including, but not limited to, licensed or accredited paraprofessionals or educational aides
     
  • Tutoring services
     
  • Curriculum
     
  • Fees for a nationally standardized norm-referenced achievement test, advanced placement examinations, international baccalaureate examinations, or any examinations related to college or university admission
     
  • Account Transaction fees
     
  • Services provided by a public school including, but not limited to, individual classes and extracurricular programs
     
  • Computer hardware or other technological devices that are used to help meet the qualified student’s educational needs and that are approved by an educational assistance organization
     
  • Fees for summer education programs and specialized after-school education programs
     
  • Transportation costs for mileage to and from a qualified school
     
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