Last updated March 19, 2020 at 3:57 p.m.

What if I am now experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19 closures?

Students are always encouraged to seek out additional scholarship opportunities. We list outside scholarships here on our website.

Students who are Missouri residents may want to investigate the state’s emergency funding programs, including the Director’s Choice Scholarship. Those resources are listed here.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has also issued updated guidance for A+ Eligibility to allow temporary exceptions to some policy requirements.

Congress is currently working on a bill called the Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act (H.R. 6275). The Federal Committee on Education and Labor has published a Fact Sheet about this pending bill.

The United Way is maintaining a webpage specifically for those who are affected and need immediate help with finding food, paying bills, or other essential services.

You can find the foodbank nearest you on FeedingAmerica.org.

The federal Department of Education is also maintaining a page specific to questions and concerns from parents and students at this link.

Financial aid administrators (FAA) have statutory authority to use professional judgment to make adjustments on a case-by-case basis to the cost of attendance or to the data elements used in calculating the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA to reflect a student’s special circumstances. The use of professional judgment where students and/or their families have been affected by COVID-19 is permitted, such as in the case where an employer closes for a period of time as a result of COVID-19. In making professional judgment determinations, the school must obtain documentation that substantiates the reason for any adjustment on a case-by-case basis. Loss of investments due to stock market fluctuations are not considered. Contact the financial aid office for more information.

What if I have questions or concerns about my student loans?

Student loan servicers and lending agencies may be providing additional help and resources. You can find your loan servicer by visiting the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS for Students) or by following the directions on this page maintained by the Department of Education. Also, please visit this page frequently for updates as we receive them.

Students with loans from Sallie Mae

Students with loans from Great Lakes

Students with loans from Navient

Students with loans from Nelnet

Where can I find additional information specific to this situation?

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is making all their financial aid information related to coronavirus available to the public at this webpage.