Funding Your Education

Two out of three MU students receive some form of financial assistance. If a student qualifies, the financial aid package usually combines grants or scholarships, a low-interest loan and an opportunity for on-campus employment. Other financing opportunities are available as follows:

Sinclair School of Nursing Scholarships

The Sinclair School of Nursing offers a number of nursing-specific scholarships for clinical nursing majors and graduate students. Scholarships numbers and amounts (usually $1,000 or more) vary from year to year. A call for applications and announcement of awards is made each year during the spring semester for the following academic year. Students are encouraged to complete both the FAFSA and the MU Annual Scholarship Application by Feb. 1 each year for best chances at receiving a scholarship.

University of Missouri Scholarships

MU also offers over 100 general scholarships through the Office of Student Financial Aid to students based on academic achievement and financial need, but other factors such as high school attended and hometown also are considered.

While most of the nursing-specific scholarships are limited to students currently enrolled in the clinical nursing and graduate programs, entering freshmen may be eligible for general scholarships through the MU Office of Financial Aid. To be considered for general scholarships, complete the general scholarship online application by Dec. 1.

External Opportunities

We frequently hear about external opportunities that might be beneficial to our students.  Students should check frequently as this is a fluid list that changes often.  These are external opportunities that students need to directly make application for.

Loans

Loans require repayment and may or may not be based on financial need. There are several loans designated specifically for nursing students as well as general loans for both undergraduate and graduate students administered through the MU Office of Student Financial Aid.

Undergraduate Nursing Research Mentorships

The Ann Crowe Essig Undergraduate Nursing Research Mentorship Program is intended to encourage and support undergraduate nursing student participation in School of Nursing faculty research. The program will acquaint students with the research process and should serve as a stimulus for further investigation and education, and the endowment supports a paid summer internship for students.

Sinclair Fellowship Program

Outstanding doctoral students who pursue full-time study are eligible for Sinclair Fellowships. These are annual awards that range up to $10,000. Sinclair Fellowships may be renewed.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate teaching (GTA) and research (GRA) assistantships provide employment opportunities to the mutual benefit of faculty and full-time students. In addition to being paid approximately $11.50 per hour, the GTAs and GRAs have their education fees waived. Education fees are waived only for courses required by each student’s program of study. Graduate nursing student applicants with the lowest full-time course load, high GPA and above average GRE scores usually receive highest priority for GTA/GRA selection.