How aid works

How Aid Works

We offer financial aid through a combination of grants, scholarships, on-campus work opportunities and loans.

  • Aid is awarded based on merit and need.
  • You should apply for as much scholarship and grant aid as possible.
  • You can use loans to cover costs not paid for through grants and scholarships.
  • Once your funds have been awarded, they are disbursed to be applied to your S&T account. (Learn more about disbursement)

The process at S&T

We are here to help you from start to finish.

  1. When you apply for admission to S&T, you also automatically apply for some Missouri S&T merit-based awards. See what scholarships you may qualify for by using our Scholarship Calculator.
  2. When you complete your FAFSA, you will be considered for any federal, state and S&T need-based awards.
  3. A financial aid package will be created and mailed to you once you are admitted to S&T. This award letter will detail any aid you have been awarded and options for loans. (Learn more about award letters)

Learn how to apply for aid

How you are selected for aid

Financial aid is awarded based on your merit, financial need or both. Learn more about need and financial aid eligibility.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, particular skills or special characteristics. You do not have to repay merit-based scholarships.

Merit-based student financial aid takes into account factors including the following:

  • Grades
  • Test scores
  • Talent and skills

Explore our scholarship options

Need-based aid is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligibility is determined by your family’s income if you are dependent, or your income if you are independent. Examples of need-based aid include university, state and federal aid such as Pell Grants.

There are three general types of need-based aid:

  • Grants and Scholarships: Gifts you do not have to be repay.
  • Work-study: Money you earn by working at a part-time job.
  • Loans: Borrowed money repaid over a period of time.

Types of financial aid

There are many options for financial assistance for college students, but which options are best for you? 

There are three main forms of financial aid:

  • Aid you don't pay back: like scholarships and grants
  • Aid you pay back: such as loans
  • Aid you earn: such as work study or graduate student assistantships (GRE, GTA, GA)

Learn about the types of aid