Education (Student Financial Aid)

HB 3221 prohibits state funding for college degree programs classified as "low-earning outcome" under federal law (Section 84001 of Pub. L. 119-21). It directly affects public colleges and students enrolled in these specific programs by blocking state financial aid, operational funding, grants, and facilities support for them. The bill requires the state higher education board to annually review federal determinations of such programs and enforce the funding ban. It also mandates yearly public reports tracking which programs are excluded, enforcement actions, and fiscal impacts on state budgets. This policy change targets funding allocation, not program availability or student eligibility.

HB 3482 would change eligibility rules for Missouri's Access Missouri financial aid program. It requires applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, Missouri residents, and enrolled full-time at approved schools, while prohibiting aid for theology/divinity degree programs. The bill also disqualifies students convicted of certain crimes (matching federal student aid rules) and limits total aid to 10 semesters or 15 quarters, with renewal requiring a 2.5 GPA. These changes would directly affect Missouri students applying for or renewing this state-funded aid. The bill is pending in the House as of its February 2026 introduction.

SB 1617 - This act establishes the "Accountability for Low-Earning Outcome Degrees in Higher Education Act of 2026", which requires the Coordinating Board for Higher Education to adopt rules prohibiting state funds from being allocated or expended for academic degree programs that satisfy the definition of a low-earning outcome program under federal law. The restricted funding categories include, but are not limited to, student financial aid, base operational funding, separately appropriated aid or grants, and capital or facilities funding. The Coordinating Board for Higher Education shall annually review updated federal determinations of low-earning outcome programs and adopt rules in accordance with the act. Additionally, the Coordinating Board for Higher Education shall submit an annual and publicly available report to the General Assembly documenting the programs prohibited from receiving state aid, the enforcement of such prohibitions, and the estimated fiscal impact due to the prohibitions. OLIVIA SHANNON

HB 2930 requires students renewing Missouri's empowerment scholarship to provide proof of household income, demonstrating that their annual income does not exceed 300% of the income standard for free and reduced-price lunch programs. This requirement applies to all renewal applications and determines eligibility for the next school year; exceeding this threshold makes a student ineligible. The bill does not alter the existing list of allowable expenses, which include tuition, textbooks, educational therapies, and approved technology at qualifying schools. It directly affects families seeking to continue using the scholarship for their children's education.

HB 1801 changes the definition of "qualified student" for Missouri's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. It specifies that a qualified student must be a Missouri resident not classified as an "illegal alien" and must either have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) under federal special education law or meet income requirements (300% of free/reduced lunch standards) while also meeting enrollment criteria like having attended public school full-time for a semester or being kindergarten-ready. This bill directly affects students seeking scholarship funds to attend participating private, charter, or public schools. The key change replaces the prior definition with these specific eligibility requirements.