Public Safety Recruitment & Retention Act Scholarship

Applications must be completed each year:

• For the 2025-26 school year, applications must be completed by November 5, 2025
• For the 2026-27 school year, applications must be completed by December 15, 2025

The Public Safety Recruitment & Retention Act Scholarship is a new scholarship available in Missouri to assist eligible public safety personnel and their dependent children with the costs of pursuing a qualifying license, certification, or degree from a Missouri institution.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be a public safety personnel, as defined in the statute, with at least 6 years of service or the dependent child of public safety personnel with at least 10 years of service
• Be a Missouri resident
• Meet all admission requirements of the institution of higher education, and any ongoing requirements related to grades and attendance
• Have not already earned a baccalaureate degree
• Enroll and be accepted into a program leading to a license or certification issued by a training entity accredited or certified pursuant to the provisions of section 190.131 of Missouri statutes or an associate degree or baccalaureate degree in one of the defined academic subject areas from a Missouri public or independent institution
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Applicants must also be able to submit any required verification documents (ex. proof of professional license/employment, etc.) before the application deadline.

Degree Requirements

A detailed listing of the specific eligible programs at participating institutions is included as part of the application.

• For police officers, eligible subjects include forensic science, fisheries and wildlife, political science, psychology, history, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, global studies, Spanish, journalism, advertising, public relations, nutrition and health sciences, communication sciences and disorders, and criminal justice.
• For firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and advanced emergency medical technicians, eligible subjects include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition and health sciences, communication sciences and disorders, Spanish, advertising, public relations, paramedicine, fire science, fire technology, fire administration, fire management, communications, homeland security, emergency management, disaster management, and crisis management.
• For dependent students and telecommunicator first responders, eligible subjects include any subject specified above.

How to Apply

• Create an account and login to the Student Financial Aid Portal
• Select the Public Safety Recruitment & Retention Act Scholarship application for the appropriate school year
• Complete the application and upload required documents to verify eligibility