Bright Flight, officially named 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 2023 high school graduates. MDHEWD does not automatically receive Superscores so students must send them by logging into their ACT account and entering the code 2379. ACT will charge a small fee to do so.
- Am I eligible?
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 within the top five percent of all Missouri test takers. (See "What is the qualifying score..." section below.)
- Achieve a qualifying score by the June test date immediately following your graduation from high school, receipt of your GED/HiSet, or completion of your secondary coursework if homeschooled.
- The score achieved on the July test date immediately following your graduation 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, full-time student at a participating Missouri school 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. 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 because of a disability defined by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Submit any requested supplemental eligibility information by the deadline established by the MDHEWD.
- Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.
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 graduation from 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. Submit a copy of your 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 2025-2026 qualifying scores are based on the test results of all 2024 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 tables display the qualifying ACT scores, along with the statutory maximum and estimated award amounts for the 2025 and 2026 high school graduates (beginning college during the 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 academic year). The final award amounts are dependent on the amount of funds allocated for the program during the 2026 legislative session for the 2026 graduates. The award amount is divided evenly over the fall and spring terms and is not available during summer terms. Please note: MDHEWD does not automatically receive Superscores so students must send them by logging into their ACT account and entering the code 2379. ACT will charge a small fee to do so.
2025 High School Graduates
Qualifying Score
(Superscores are acceptable)
Statutory Maximum Award Estimated Award ACT Score: 32 or above
or
SAT Math Score: 800
SAT Critical Reading: 800
Up to $3,000 $3,000 ACT Score: 30 or 31
or
SAT Math Score: 800
SAT Critical Reading: 790-799
Up to $1,000 $1,000 2026 High School Graduates
Qualifying Score
(Superscores are acceptable)
Statutory Maximum Award Estimated Award ACT Score: 32 or above
or
SAT Math Score: TBA
SAT Critical Reading: TBA
Up to $3,000 $3,000 ACT Score: 30 or 31
or
SAT Math Score: TBA
SAT Critical Reading: TBA
Up to $1,000 $1,000 - 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?
MDHEWD begins sending approval letters to eligible students in the spring of their senior year of high school. Information about eligibility status is also available by logging into the Student Portal.
You will be notified if you have not indicated 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.
Completion of the FAFSA® is not required to receive a Bright Flight scholarship. However, if you 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. You can check your current eligibility status in the Student Portal. 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. 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 receive my scholarship?
You can receive the scholarship 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 student status within six months after you first cease service in 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 only 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