Blunt proposes student financial-aid program

Following recommendations from the State Student Financial Aid Committee, Blunt has proposed combining the state’s two need-based scholarship programs into one program called Access Missouri. The new program would streamline the financial aid system to make scholarships more available to students and make the system more predictable, so parents can more easily plan for their children’s education, according to a news release from Blunt’s office.

Blunt’s plan, which must be approved by the General Assembly, would more than double the state’s need-based scholarship funding to $72.5 million from $27.5 million. It also would serve about 36,000 students, compared to the 17,000 served under the current program, according to the state Department of Higher Education.

MSU estimates 3,000 of its students would be eligible for aid under Access Missouri, compared to the 595 students who currently receive need-based aid.