The Missouri Returning Heroes' (MRH) Education Act limits tuition charged to qualified combat veterans to $50.00 per credit hour for any program leading to a certificate of proficiency, associate, or bachelor degree.
Eligibility
- A "combat veteran" is any person who served in a combat theatre of operations after September 11, 2001,
- and is a current Missouri resident
- and who was discharged from military service under honorable conditions.
The period during which a combat veteran is eligible for MRH is 10 years from the date of the veteran's last discharge from service. There is no initial GPA required to start using MRH, but students must maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher in subsequent semesters. Please read the Heroes' Act Implementation Q&A (pdf) to help determine if you fit the qualifications for this program.
To apply, fill out the Missouri Returning Heroes Act Application and bring DD214, member 4 copy, to the Veterans Center.
MRH Frequently Asked Questions
Legislation passed in October 2016 changed the way the MRH is applied to your student account. Prior to this legislation, all financial aid was applied first and then, your total out-of-pocket tuition expense was capped at $50 per credit hour (plus any course fees).
Now, MRH is applied first which reduces your tuition cost to $50 per credit hour (plus fees) before any financial aid is applied. Thus, you will receive a refund if your total financial aid exceeds your tuition and fees under the MRH program. Here is an example of a student veteran who is taking 12 credit hours in the College of Business and receives a Pell grant and Post 9/11 benefits at the 90% rate:
| Tuition Cost Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| $4,026 | Actual Tuition cost (12 credit hours x $335.5) |
| - $3,426 | MRH waiver |
| = $600 | Tuition cost under MRH |
| $900 | College of Business course fees ($75 x 12 hours) |
| = $1,500 | Total cost of tuition AND fees owed by the student |
| Financial Aid Breakdown | |
| - $1,350 | Post 9/11 at the 90% rate |
| - $2, 908 | Pell Grant |
| = $2,758 | Refund to student |
YES, the new change in MRH legislation requires UMSL to apply the MRH scholarship first and then any other financial aid (including the Pell Grant). Therefore, if your financial aid exceeds the cost of tuition & fees, you will receive a refund during the first week of the semester.
Using MRH, combined with the Montgomery GI Bill, could give you the largest amount of financial support for the longest period of time (48 months). Contact our office at (314) 516-5705 before applying for MGIB or Post-9/11 benefits to discuss which chapter would maximize your benefits.
NO. MRH can only be applied to bachelors-level coursework and certificate programs.
Yes. If you qualify for MRH, you will always be eligible as long as you continue to meet the 2.5 GPA requirement and you’re within 10 years of separation from the military.
