University of Missouri

230 Jesse Hall Columbia, MO

• Rating: A-
• 21,999 Students
• Public

Description

The University of Missouri (Mizzou), located in Columbia, is a flagship public research university renowned for its comprehensive academic offerings and vibrant campus life. As a land-grant institution and member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), Mizzou provides a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse fields, including journalism, agriculture, engineering, and medicine. With a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and community engagement, Mizzou fosters a collaborative learning environment, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a rich tradition of athletics and student organizations.

National Merit

National Merit Scholarship – Missouri Resident

• Award Amount
  • Full Tuition and Fees
  • $3,500 additional annual stipend
  • $13,700 one-year on-campus housing and dining
  • $2,000 research/study abroad support (one-time award)
  • $1,000 tech enrichment (one-time award)

Does not require declaring the University of Missouri as your first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
• Enroll at MU the first semester after high school
• U.S citizen or permanent resident

Please note: Awards from all sources (federal, state, institutional, or private aid) may not exceed the annual cost of attendance assigned by MU.

This scholarship cannot be combined with a Mizzou automatic scholarship or the Mizzou Scholars Award.

National Merit Finalist Scholarship – Out-of-State Resident

• Award Amount: $22,500
• Must be a National Merit Finalist and declare the University of Missouri as your first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, if you are deemed a Finalist in early February.
• Enroll at MU the first semester after high school
• U.S citizen or permanent resident
• Nonresident students whose nonresident tuition is paid by another source are not eligible to receive the National Merit nonresident tuition waiver. If Missouri residency is obtained, the waiver of nonresident tuition will be removed and will not be replaced with any comparable Missouri resident award.
• Please note: Awards from all sources (federal, state, institutional, or private aid) may not exceed the annual cost of attendance assigned by MU.
• This scholarship cannot be combined with a Mizzou automatic scholarship such as the Mark Twain Award.
• Renewal:
  • Renewable for an additional three years provided renewal criteria is met. Students can receive the scholarship for a maximum of eight regular (fall or spring) semesters, or until receiving a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. Students may not utilize the scholarship during the summer term. Full renewal criteria can be found on our Student Financial Aid website.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Competitive scholarships for both Missouri residents and non-residents:

COMPETITIVE AWARDS	AMOUNT PER YEAR	MINIMUM CRITERIA	ADDITIONAL CRITERIA
Stamps Scholars Award	Full Scholarship (up to estimated cost of attendance) + one-time award $16,000 for academic development and leadership	32–36 ACT or 1420–1600 SAT and 3.5 core GPA	Must be admitted to Mizzou and the Honors College by Dec. 1 and submit required documents by Dec. 1. The most distinguished applicants will become semifinalists and will be notified of the next steps in the interview process.
Mizzou Scholars Award (Missouri only)	$11,000	Must be a Missouri resident with 33–36 ACT or 1450–1600 SAT and excellent academic record	An application for admission, a résumé and essay must be submitted by Dec. 1. A committee will review candidates’ credentials and supplemental material. Strongest consideration will be given to the strength of the academic record.
Columns Award (Nonresidents only)	Starting at $15,000	Nonresident, incoming, first-time college students	Recipients are automatically screened upon admission and selected based on criteria including, but not limited to, geography, legacy status and overall academic record. This award cannot be combined with other MU grants or scholarships. A limited number of these awards are available.

Last Updated: April 2025