Bright Flight Program

The Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship Program is a merit-based program that encourages top-ranked high school seniors to attend approved Missouri postsecondary schools.

ATTENTION

For students taking the ACT more than once, the highest scores of each section of each test will be combined for a Superscore. The Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development began recognizing Superscores for Bright Flight eligibility beginning with the seniors graduating in 2023. In order to have your Superscore sent to MDHEWD, students need to login to their ACT account and enter in the following code: 2379. ACT will charge a small fee to do so.

The Bright Flight eligibility scores increased with the class of 2023 seniors. Students will need to score a 32 to qualify for up to $3,000 or a 31 to qualify for up to $1,000.

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

Initial Students

• Be a Missouri resident and a United States citizen or permanent resident.
• Have a composite score on the ACT or SAT in either:
  • the top 3 percent of all Missouri students taking those tests, or
  • the top 4 th or 5 th percentiles of all Missouri students taking those tests.

  The qualifying score must be achieved by the June test date immediately following your graduation from high school. Please note the score achieved on the July test date immediately following your graduation from high school does not qualify for the Bright Flight scholarship program. (Only composite test scores achieved on national test dates or on special test dates approved by the testing companies are acceptable. Test scores from residual tests are not acceptable.)

  • Enroll as a first-time student and receive the scholarship in the academic year immediately following high school graduation, receipt of your GED/HiSet, or completion of your secondary coursework, if home-schooled.
  • Enroll full time at a participating Missouri school. Full-time enrollment is defined as a minimum of:
    • 12 semester hours, or
    • 6 semester hours for students who are unable to enroll in 12 hours as a result of a disability defined by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

    Renewal Students

    • Continue to meet the eligibility requirements for initial students.
    • Receive the scholarship at least one semester each academic year, beginning with the academic year immediately following your senior year in high school, receipt of the GED/HiSet, or completion of your secondary coursework, if home-schooled.
    • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 and otherwise maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school. If this is the first academic year in which you have received a Bright Flight payment, this requirement does not apply.

    Individuals who have graduated from Missouri’s virtual public school, have completed a home-school program or have obtained a certificate of high school equivalence by passing the GED/HiSet exam may be considered for the scholarship program. GED/HiSet students must submit a copy of their GED/HiSet certificate to:

    Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
    Attn: Bright Flight
    P.O. Box 1469
    Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469

    What is the qualifying score and how much can I receive?

    The qualifying ACT and SAT scores for students who will graduate in the current academic year are re-evaluated and announced each fall. These qualifying scores are based on the scores of students who were high school seniors in the previous academic year. For example, the 2023-2024 qualifying scores are based on the test results of all 2023 Missouri high school seniors. Because the minimum score is set by a percent of test takers, that score is subject to change annually.

    If you took the ACT or SAT as a high school junior or sophomore, your score will be accepted as long as it meets the qualifying score(s) announced during your senior year in high school.

    The following table displays the qualifying ACT scores, along with the statutory maximum and estimated award amounts for the 2023 high school graduates (attending college during the 2023-2024 academic year). The final award amounts are dependent on the amount of funds allocated for the program during the 2023 legislative session for the 2023 graduates.

    2023 High School Graduates

    (Superscores are acceptable)

    ACT Score 32 or above

    SAT Math Score 800 and SAT Critical Reading 800

    SAT Math Score 770-799 and SAT Critical Reading 760-799

    The following table displays the qualifying ACT scores, along with the statutory maximum and estimated award amounts for the 2024 high school graduates (attending college during the 2024-2025 academic year). The final award amounts are dependent on the amount of funds allocated for the program during the 2024 legislative session for the 2024 graduates.

    2024 High School Graduates

    (Superscores are acceptable)

    ACT Score 32 or above

    or

    SAT Math Score and SAT

    Critical Reading - To be

    determined

    ACT Score 31

    or

    SAT Math Score and SAT

    Critical Reading - To be

    determined

    Award amounts are not available during summer terms.

    How can I apply?

    There is no Bright Flight application to complete. The MDHEWD will receive your ACT or SAT composite score(s), along with approved Missouri college or university choices, from your ACT or SAT assessment records. It takes approximately six to eight weeks after each national test date for the MDHEWD to receive assessment information.

    How will I know if I am eligible?

    Eligible students will receive approval letters from the MDHEWD for qualifying scores achieved by the June ACT and SAT test dates. Information about your eligibility status is also available by logging into the Student Portal. You must elect to upgrade your access in the portal to view your eligibility information.

    • Approval letters are provided beginning in the spring of your senior year in high school.

    You will be notified if you did not indicate any Missouri school choices or if you provided conflicting information (for example, information indicating you are a Missouri resident but not a U.S. citizen). To safeguard your eligibility, we recommend that you always choose at least one approved Missouri school when you take the ACT or SAT, even if you plan to attend school in another state.

    If you have upgraded your account in the Student Portal, you can choose to receive these notices as well as the approval letter in electronic or paper format.

    Completion of the FAFSA ® is not required to receive a Bright Flight scholarship. However, if you elect to complete a FAFSA ® , information on that application or updates to it can impact your eligibility for Bright Flight even if you have previously been notified of your eligibility. Use the Student Portal to check your current eligibility status. In the event your eligibility changes based on inaccurate information, you must take immediate action to make the necessary corrections to be considered for an award. The corrections will be required even if you have already received an approval letter.

    How will I receive my award?

    Each semester the school you are attending will certify your eligibility. The certification process occurs electronically in real-time. Schools typically certify eligibility at the beginning of each semester, although they can do so through the end of the semester.

    If your school certifies you are eligible, the MDHEWD will disburse your award within 3-5 business days of the certification. Your school will then deliver it to you. Delivery timeframes can vary from school to school.

    How long can I renew my scholarship?

    The scholarship may be renewed annually for up to 10 semesters or until you have completed a bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first.

    How do I transfer my scholarship?

    If you choose to transfer to a different participating Missouri school, either between academic years or semesters, you must contact the MDHEWD at (800) 473-6757, option 4. Failure to notify the MDHEWD of the transfer may result in loss of the scholarship.

    Can the scholarship be deferred?

    If you are unable to attend school for an entire academic year you may qualify for a deferment of your scholarship eligibility. Acceptable reasons for deferment include:

    • Participation in a high school student exchange program
    • Service in a nonprofit organization or a state or federal government agency
    • Service on active duty in the armed forces of the United States
    • Documented medical reasons

    You may defer your scholarship eligibility for up to 27 continuous months for participation in a high school student exchange program, service in a nonprofit organization or a state or federal government agency or for medical reasons.

    You may defer your scholarship eligibility due to service on active duty in the armed forces of the United States for the length of your time of service, as long as you return to full-time status within six months after you first cease service to the armed forces.

    You should apply for the deferment as soon as you are aware there will be a break in your attendance. If you are unable to attend school for one semester within an academic year, a deferment of your scholarship eligibility is not necessary.

    You must submit a written request for deferment to:

    Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
    Attn: Bright Flight
    P.O. Box 1469
    Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469