Financial Aid
Continue to main contentOpen doors to put a high-quality college education within financial reach: that's what we do.
Cost should not be the factor that stands between you and success at Southeast. We know your education and your future are top priorities, and we’re committed to doing whatever it takes to make a quality education financially possible.
Types of Aid
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Scholarships
Scholarships are typically awarded based on academic achievement, specific skills or other ability. Southeast considers you for all applicable Southeast scholarships when you apply as a freshman, transfer or international student. There are also statewide and external scholarships. Scholarship awards do not need to be paid back. -
Loans
There are certain federal loan programs that can help bring the cost of college to a more affordable level. Before accepting a loan, be sure to keep an eye on total debt and future earnings. Unlike grants and scholarships, student loans must be repaid. -
Summer Financial Aid
If you enroll in at least six summer hours, we’ll automatically evaluate your status to see if you’re eligible for summer financial aid. This assistance would be a continuation of the aid package you may have received for the previous academic year, should remaining funds exist.
Applying for Aid
It’s a straightforward two-step process to apply for financial aid at Southeast Missouri State University. If you get stuck in either one, please reach out. We’re happy to help guide you through the process.
Step 1: Submit an application for admission.
The Southeast application for admission is used to determine eligibility for Academic Scholarships. These are awarded during your admission process, prior to beginning your first semester with Southeast. Eligibility is dependent on your submission date of the application for admission and either:
- Incoming Freshmen - ACT/SAT score and high school GPA (6th or 7th semester only)
- Transfer Students - previous college performance
Deadlines for these scholarships can vary, so be sure to get your application in as early as possible.
Step 2: Complete the FAFSA.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be completed each year at fafsa.ed.gov. This application is used to consider your eligibility for Federal Grants, Federal Loans, and State Grants. Just remember a couple of tips regarding the FAFSA:
- Use the Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to link tax information from the IRS! It will save time and reduce the probability of being selected for verification.
- When you receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) by email, verify all information is correct and your FAFSA was not rejected.
FAFSA's priority deadline is February 1. The FAFSA can still be submitted after the priority deadline, but some aid may no longer be available.
COVID-19 Relief Funding
The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student Aid provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted, many of whom are facing financial challenges and struggling to make ends meet.
Accepting Financial Aid
We’ll notify you by email once a financial aid offer has been posted to the portal. If you’re going to accept or deny any financial aid, it has to happen in the portal. Look for “Financial Aid Offer” under the “Student Financial Services” section to complete this process.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the policy that outlines minimum requirements you must meet, in order to remain eligible for financial aid. Southeast reviews progress at the end of every semester, including summer (if applicable), to verify that your cumulative GPA, completion rate, and maximum time frame meet our requirements.
Student Employment
Working on campus will connect you with a large network of faculty, staff, and students interested in your academic success — and it pays to do so. Student employment allows you to work up to 20 hours per week to ensure your studies still come first.
Consortiums
In certain situations, you may be able to combine your enrollment at Southeast with enrollment at another school to become eligible for financial aid that you may not otherwise be eligible for. This combination requires a consortium agreement with participating schools, available from Student Financial Services.
Get the Assistance You Need
We know your education and your future are top priorities, and at Southeast we’re doing whatever it takes to make a quality education financially possible. Yet we understand you may be coming to the process with questions. We’re here to help and happy to guide you through it.
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701