St. Joseph School District
College and Career Readiness
Everyone’s pathway is unique in the St. Joseph School District. Take the first step today by using the Career Planning & Educational Guide to explore the world of possibilities that exist for you. St. Joseph School District will partner with you to create a personal plan of study to help make your goals a reality. We look forward to the journey ahead.
Career Planning and Educational Guide
- Assessments
- Career Exploration Opportunities
- Dual Credit Scholarship
- Labor Market Needs
- Local Employment Opportunities
- Military Contacts
- Missouri Seal of Biliteracy
- Registered Youth Apprenticeship
- Scholarships
Assessments
Missouri Center for Career Education
Missouri Connections
Missouri Connections is a web-based resource to help students determine their career interests, explore occupations, establish education plans, develop job search strategies, and create résumés.
WorkKeys
ACT WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system that helps employers select, hire, train, develop, and retain a high-performance workforce. This series of tests measures foundational and soft skills and offers specialized assessments to target institutional needs. As part of ACT's Work Readiness System, ACT WorkKeys has helped millions of people in high schools, colleges, professional associations, businesses, and government agencies build their skills to increase global competitiveness and develop successful career pathways. Successful completion of ACT WorkKeys assessments in Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, and Reading for Information can lead to earning ACT's National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT NCRC), a portable credential earned by more than 2.3 million people across the United States.
Study Resources
March2Success
March2Success is a FREE website providing users access to online study materials to help improve their scores on standardized tests such as state exit exams, college entrance exams, the military entrance exam (ASVAB) and others.
Career Exploration Opportunities
Breakfast with the Experts
A partnership between the SJSD Counseling Department and the United Way of Greater St. Joseph, the Breakfast with the Experts program brings professionals into our high schools to expose students to a specific career pathway. Students enjoy donuts at the start of the day as they interact with professionals from industry.
Lunch & Learn
A partnership between the SJSD Counseling Department and the United Way of Greater St. Joseph, the Lunch and Learn program brings professionals into our middle schools to expose students to a specific career pathway. Students enjoy pizza for lunch as they interact with professionals from industry.
Manufacturing Day
Manufacturing Day is a national day set aside to recognize the importance of the manufacturing industry and the diverse, highly-skilled jobs that are available in our community. Held in October each year, community organizations and companies work together to lift up the industry and the possible career paths available.
Missouri Connections
Visit this portal from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to learn more about available career pathways in our state.
Missouri Target Industry Briefs
Visit the link above to review industry briefs from the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
Northwest Missouri AHEC Pipeline Events
Workshops offered to high school students interested in learning about various careers in the medical field. Workshops are open to all students. For more information, call 816-271-6769 or email questions to nwmoahec@mymlc.com.
Dual Credit Scholarship
The Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship covers tuition and fees for high school students taking dual credit or dual enrollment coursework from an approved provider. Changes to the Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship, including changes to the eligibility criteria, will be effective beginning with the fall 2022 semester.
Labor Market Needs
The Department of Economic Development (DED) will annually identify occupations in which a critical need or shortage of trained personnel exists in the labor market in the state and provide such information to the State Board of Education (SBE). Updates are available at this link.
Click on the links below for information related to critical need/shortage occupations.
- Information on obtaining industry-recognized certificates and credentials
- Information on obtaining occupation-related licenses
- Career assessment and interest inventories
- Skills needed for in-demand occupations
- Occupation salary trends
- Financial assistance for post-secondary education
- Information about college, school and apprenticeship opportunities
- Information about self-employment
- Job application resources
- Needed skills for various careers
Local Employment Opportunities
Military Contacts
Benton
|
MILITARY BRANCH |
RECRUITER |
|
OFFICE PHONE |
MILITARY CELL PHONE |
|
Air Force |
Katrina Smith |
816-232-6531 |
816-341-8227 |
|
|
Air National Guard |
TSgt Michael Seckman |
816-236-3583 |
816-262-3800 |
|
|
Army |
SGT Michael Cuevas | 816-673-6958 |
816-729-2987 |
|
|
Marines |
SGT Saulson Joash | saulson.joash@marines.usmc.mil | 816-351-5506 | 816-279-5854 |
|
MO Army National Guard |
SGT Rudy Sagun |
956-802-0906 |
||
|
Coast Guard |
Any at KC Office |
816-527-0441 |
Central
|
MILITARY BRANCH |
RECRUITER |
|
OFFICE PHONE |
MILITARY CELL PHONE |
|
Air Force |
TSgt Jeffrey Melton |
816-232-6531 |
816-341-8227 |
|
|
Air National Guard |
SSgt Adam Marek |
816-236-3583 |
816-344-8245 |
|
|
Army |
SSG Avery Messex |
816-729-2987 |
816-560-6904 |
|
|
Marines |
SSGT James P. Huges |
330-980-1807 | ||
|
MO Army National Guard |
SGT Rudy Sagun |
956-802-0906 |
||
|
Navy |
STSCS (SS) Cory A. Miller |
816-578-6632 |
816-573-2891 |
|
|
Coast Guard |
Any at KC Office |
816-527-0441 |
Lafayette
|
MILITARY BRANCH |
RECRUITER |
|
OFFICE PHONE |
MILITARY CELL PHONE |
|
Air Force |
Katrina Smith |
816-232-6531 |
816-341-8227 |
|
|
Air National Guard |
Danielle Dewey | danielle.dewey.1@us.af.mil |
|
|
|
Army |
SSGT Terry Jones |
816-729-2987 |
816-729-2987 |
|
|
Marines |
SSGT Tiernie Gayle |
|||
|
MO Army National Guard |
SGT Rudy Sagun |
956-802-0906 |
||
|
Navy |
Cody Kauffman |
816-578-6632 |
816-704-1176 |
|
|
Coast Guard |
Any at KC Office |
816-527-0441 |
Missouri Seal of Biliteracy
The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) promotes active participation in a global society and economy by incentivizing, recognizing and celebrating the acquisition of biliteracy skills and sociocultural awareness. The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy and Distinguished Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to graduating high school students in districts with a DESE-approved program, who have demonstrated achievement in English, a Language Other Than English (LOTE) and sociocultural competence.
The St. Joseph School District is proud to participate in this exciting statewide program. The Missouri Seal of Biliteracy is endorsed by a number of Missouri businesses and institutions of higher education including Evangel University, Missouri State University, Missouri Southern University, Northwest Missouri State University, Truman State University, and the University of Central Missouri.
Visit with your foreign language teacher to learn more about this program or visit the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy implementation guide.
Registered Youth Apprenticeship
Experience NWMO Regional Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship is an effective way to gain the necessary training to enter the workforce making a livable wage with ample opportunity for advancement. Registered youth apprenticeship combines related technical instruction (coursework at Hillyard Technical Center) and on the job training (scheduled with the partnering employer) to give students the opportunity to gain the technical and employability skills necessary to be successful post-graduation.
Scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Due: June 10, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: October 8, 2025
Amount: Up to $5,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: December 31, 2025
Amount: $250
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount:
Due: March 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: $10,000 renewable
Due: January 15, 2026
Amount: $1,500-10,000
Due: May 3, 2026
Amount: $750 (2 given)
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $1,000 (2 given)
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $750 (3 given)
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $750 (5 given)
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $1,000 (2 given)
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $750
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $500 (1 given)
Due: Return completed application to school counseling office by April 13, 2026
Amount: $2,500 - $10,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $2,000 - $8,000
Due: May 31, 2026
Due: $2,000 - $5,000
Amount: November 30, 2025
Amount: $2,500 - $20,000
Due: January 15, 2026
Amount: Full Tuition and Fees at participating universities
Due: October 13, 2025
Amount: $5,000 renewable
Due: April 15, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: February 23, 2026*
*application must be received by Avenue City by March 1st
Amount: $2,000
Due: February 28, 2026
Due Date: May 1, 2026
For Benton Students only
Amount: $500
Due: June 19, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: April 10, 2026
Amount: $1,000 renewable
Due: April 30, 2025
For Benton HS seniors only
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 8, 2026
Amount: $1,000-$60,000
Due: December 15, 2025
Amount: $800 (renewable)
Due: February 6, 2026
Return application and any other required materials to your school Counseling Office!
Amount: $2,000
Due: May 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 1, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: April 2, 2026
For Central students only - return application and other required documentation to CHS Counseling Office
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 24, 2026
Submit paper application and any other supplemental information to your school's counseling office.
Amount: $25,000
Due: October 28, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Amount: $1,000, $2,500, or $25,000
Due: October 21, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Amount:
Due: March 1
For Lafayette Students only
Amount: $2,000
Due: December 31, 2025
Amount: $20,000
Due: September 30, 2025
Amount: $500 - $40,000
Due: February 28, 2026
Amount: $1,000 - 2,000
Due: October 13, 2025
Students: Please return completed application to your school's Counseling Office by October 13, 2025. (This will give your counselor a chance to review your application, do the required counselor page, and print a transcript before submitting to the Cotillion committee.)
Amount: $10,000
Due: March 9, 2026
Amount: $5,000
Due: April 1, 2026
Scholarship opens on February 11, 2026
Amount: Full tuition or half tuition awards
Due: January 2, 2026
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Due: January 9, 2026
Amount: $20,000
Due: February 15, 2026
Amount: $250
Due: February 24, 2026
Return application and other required materials to school counselor office by the due date.
Amount:
Due: March 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 2, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $500
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: $500
Due: March 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: $500-1,000
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: $2,000
Due: February 10, 2026
Return application and letter of recommendation to your counseling office by the due date.
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 17, 2026
Due: March 23, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: November 22, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: March 31
Amount: Varies
Due: March 15, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: January 23, 2026
Return all materials to your school counseling office by the deadline!
Amount: up to $1,000
Due: April 21, 2026
Amount: $1,000 - $7,500
Due: November 12, 2025 at 11:59 pm PT
Amount: $2,000
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: February 2, 2026
Amount: $5,000 (renewable)
Due: December 18, 2025 at 3:00 pm (CT)
Amount: Varies
Due: March 2, 2026
Amount: $1,500
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: March 22, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 31, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000-$2,000 (renewable)
Due: January 31, 2026
Amount: $10,000 (renewable)
Due: January 5, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: December 31, 2025
Amount: $500 - $6,000
Due: December 31, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: January 30, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 31, 2026
Amount: Up to $2,000 (renewable)
Due: January 16, 2026
Amount: $4,000 (per year for four years)
Due: February 13, 2026
Amount: Up to $60,000
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: Up to $60,000
Due: March 15, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: February 3, 2026
Submit application and other required documents to your school counselor's office
Amount: $500
Due: November 15, 2025
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: up to $3,000
Due: October 31, 2025
Amount: Up to $4,000
Due: November 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm PT
Amount: $500 - $5,000
Due: February 15, 2026
Amount: $2,500
Due: June 15, 2026
Application opens March 15th
Amount: $25,000 (for juniors)
Due: February 15, 2026
Amount: Up to $55,000
Due: November 12, 2025
Amount: Up to $35,000 (over four years)
Due: January 7, 2026
Amount: Tuition + $2,000
Due: February 23, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: April 1, 2024
For Benton and Lafayette students only!
Amount: $1,000 - $10,000
Due: January 12, 2026
Amount: $1,000 - $2,500
Due: October 28, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: February 1, 2026
Amount: Varies based on scholarship
Due: December 15, 2025, by 5:00 pm
Amount: $2,000 (renewable)
Due: December 18, 2025*
*Actual due date is January 10th, but please submit before Winter Break to ensure it is received by the deadline
Amount: Varies
Due: May 15, 2026
Amount: $1,000-3,000
Due: April 8, 2026
Amount:
Due Date: March 15, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 31, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: January 31, 2026
Amount: $250
Due: March 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: Varies
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: February 28, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: March 25, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 2, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 15, 2026
Amount: $750
Due: March 4, 2026
Amount: $2,500 - 10,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount:
Due: March 31, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: October 1, 2025
Amount: no less than $1,000
Due: April 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: $1,000 - $17,000 (renewable)
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000 (renewable)
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: Up to $25,000
Due: February 24, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: January 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: February 15, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 2026
Amount: Varies
Due Date: June 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: June 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due Date: October 13, 2025
Amount: $500-$2,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: March 31, 2026
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: February 23, 2026
Amount: $1,500 (4 awarded)
Due: March 31, 2026
Amount: $500 renewable
Due: February 11, 2026
Return application and any other required materials to your school Counseling Office!
Amount: Full tuition and fees (renewable)
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: $2,000
Due: March 15, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: January 16, 2026
Amount: $2,000
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: $250 - $1,000
Due: January 1, 2025 and January 31, 2025
Amount: $500 - $4,000
Due: December 17, 2025*
*Must be postmarked by January 1st so please submit all materials before Winter Break
Amount: $500 renewable
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: $4,000 (plus $1,000 for on-campus housing) renewable
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000 - $2,500
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: $15,000 ($7,000 for tuition and $8,000 for on-campus housing)
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: Up to $3,000
Due: April 1, 2026
Note: verification must be mailed in addition to the online application
Amount: Varies
Due: April 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: Return application to your school's Counseling Office by March 3, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $1,500
Due: April 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: March 15, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: December 16, 2025
Submit application and supplemental materials to Counseling Office by due date.
Amount: $200
Due: March 23, 2026
Return completed application to school counseling office by due date!
Amount: $6,000 - 50,000
Due: January 31, 2026
Amount: $10,000
Due: March 31, 2026
Amount: Varies according to scholarship
Due: January 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: January 31, 2026
Amount: $20,000
Due: November 17. 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: Varies
Amount: Full tuition and monthly stipend
Due: January 31, 2026
Amount: $3,200 - $25,000
Due: November 24, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET
Amount: $1,500 - $2,500
Due: February 28, 2026
*You must go see the Activities Director by early February so he can nominate you and write a letter of recommendation!
Amount: Varies but typically covers remaining tuition/fees/room and board after all other scholarships
Due: March 26, 2026
Return application and other required documents to the school counseling office by the deadline.
Amount: $350
Due: April 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: April 1, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: February 1, 2026
Amount: Tuition for 3 years
Due: March 1, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 20, 2026
Amount:
Due: March 1
For Lafayette students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: October 15, 2025 at 11:59 pm
Amount: $1,000
Due: February 28, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: varies
Due: November 20, 2025
Amount: $1,500 renewable
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
For Central students only
Submit application to CHS Counseling Office and email art work samples.
Amount: $1,500 - $2,500
Due: Submit completed materials and application to Counseling Office by January 15, 2026
Amount: $500
Due Date: February 1, 2026
Amount: cost of tuition
Due: December 15, 2025
Amount: Full Four-Year Scholarship
Due: September 26, 2025
Amount: $1,000
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Submit all required information to your school counseling office by the due date!
Amount: $1,250 renewable
Due: April 30, 2024
For Benton HS students only
Amount: $10,000 (renewable)
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: Varies depending on scholarship
Due: March 2, 2026
Note: opens January 15th each year
Amount: Varies
Due: March 31, 2026
Amount: $2,000
Due: February 11, 2026
Amount: $1,000 - $10,000
Due: December 8, 2025
Amount: $1,000
Due: January 19, 2026
Amount: $1,500
Due: March 31, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,500
Due: March 31
For Lafayette students only
Amount: $1,500 one time award
Due: March 31, 2026
For Central students only
Return completed application to CHS Counseling Office!
Amount: $2,000 renewable
Due: April 1, 2026
*Opens February 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: June 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: February 28, 2026
Amount: $1,000-19,000
Due: February 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Amount: $2.500
Due: March 29, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: March 1, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 17, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $500
Due: application not yet available for the class of 2026
Amount: $500
Due: March 27, 2026
Return application and other required documents to your school counseling office by the due date.
Amount: $1,000
Due: May 6, 2026
This scholarship is for current juniors only.
Submit application, etc. to your high school Counseling Office by the due date!
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 27, 2026
Return completed application to your school counselor's office by the due date.
Amount: $1,000
Due: November 12, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: March 15, 2026
Amount: $500 - $5,000
Due: April 23, 2026
Amount: $5,000 - $25,000
Due: January 6, 2026
Amount: up to $5,000
Due: May 1, 2026
Amount: Full tuition, room and board, and required fees for four years of undergraduate study
Due: December 16, 2025
Note: for high school JUNIORS only
Amount: Full Cost of Attendance
Due: September 15, 2025
Amount: Up to $10,000 (renewable)
Due: May 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: April 24, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: January 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: January 9, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: April 1, 2026
Amount: $500 - $4,000
Due: January 31, 2026
Amount: $1500
Due: January 7, 2026
Submit application and other required documentation to school counseling office by due date.
Amount: Varies based on eligibility
Due: February 1, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: November 15, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: February 15, 2026 (priority deadline)
Amount: Varies
Dues: December 1, 2025
Amount: up to $1,500
Due Date: April 15, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: January 7, 2026
Amount: Varies
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: $11,000
Due: December 1, 2025
Amount: Full-tuition
Due: November 15, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: February 1, 2026
Amount: $1,500 - $20,000
Due: October 30, 2025 at 11:59 pm CT
Amount: Varies up to $35,000
Due: October 28, 2025
Submit application and other required items to the school counseling office by the due date.
Amount: $5,000
Due: April 1, 2026
Amount: $500
Due: April 15, 2026
For Benton students only
Amount: $1,000 - $3,500
Due: December 16, 2025
Amount: Varies
Due: Apply to WSU by December 1, 2025
Amount: $9,000 per year renewable
Due: March 1, 2026
Return application and essay to the counseling office by the due date.
For Central students only
Amount: $500 - $2,000 renewable
Due: May 8, 2026
Return application and required tax forms to your school Counseling Office by the due date!
Amount: $5,000
Due: March 16, 2026
Amount: $1,000
Due: March 23, 2026
A+ Program
The A+ Program was established by the Missouri General Assembly in 1993 in an effort to make college or vocational education available to every Missouri high school graduate. The program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a participating community college or technical school. Additionally, some four-year Missouri colleges and universities offer an equivalency scholarship to eligible A+ students.
Further information about the state’s A+ Scholarship Program can be found on the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development website.
- A+ Program Handbook
- School Coordinators
- Documents and Forms
- Tutoring and Mentoring Opportunities
- Community Colleges and VoTech Schools
A+ Program Handbook
- What is the A+ Program
- Enrollment in the Program
- What are the Participation Requirements?
- Eligibility Requirements for A+ Tuition Benefit
- ACT and GPA Requirements
- Eligibility Report
- Attendance Requirement
- Citizenship Requirement
- Grade Point Requirement
- Tutoring/Mentoring Requirement
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid Requirement (FAFSA)
- Receipt of Funds at Participating Community Colleges and Technical Schools
- SJSD A+ Program and Counseling Department
What is the A+ Program
The A+ Program was established by the Missouri General Assembly in 1993 in an effort to make college or vocational education available to every Missouri high school graduate. The program provides scholarship funds to eligible graduates of A+ designated high schools who attend a participating community college or technical school. Additionally, some four-year Missouri colleges and universities offer an equivalency scholarship to eligible A+ students. Further information about the state's A+ Scholarship Program can be found on the Missouri Department of Higher Education website (www.dhe.mo.gov). Please see each SJSD high school's A+ Program website page at the link below for further information, to access the forms and documents for the A+ Program, and for contact information for each building's A+ Coordinator.
Enrollment in the Program
A+ enrollment is voluntary. Students may participate in the program by completing and returning a signed Participation Agreement Form to their high school's A+ Coordinator. The student is then confirmed as an active A+ participant. Once enrolled in the A+ Program it becomes the responsibility of the student to meet all the requirements of the program to become eligible for the tuition reimbursement upon graduation. The A+ Scholarship is earned, and students must continually verify their eligibility for the program, turn in all tutor/mentor hour logs, and complete all requirements for eligibility. Throughout their high school years, students are encouraged to check their status in the program by contacting their building's A+ Coordinator.
What are the Participation Requirements?
- The high school from which the student graduates must meet and maintain all the requirements for A+ Schools designation.
- State funding must be available. As with any State program, the A+ Schools Program is subject to the political process of sustaining and maintaining a budget.
- The student must meet all the criteria outlined in the A+ Schools Program and the participation agreement in which the student and parent/guardian will sign.
Eligibility Requirements for A+ Tuition Benefit
- Enter into a written agreement with your high school stating your intent to participate in the A+ program.
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States (as required by FAFSA).
- Attend a designated A+ high school for two years prior to graduation.
- Graduate with a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale (non-weighted).
- Maintain a 95% or higher average attendance record for grades 9-12 (attendance average is not rounded up).
- Perform 50 documented hours of approved and unpaid tutoring and/or mentoring. 25% of hours can be obtained through job shadowing.
- Establish a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol.
- Make a good faith effort to secure all available federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is checked by the post-secondary institution.
- Achieve a score of proficient or advanced on the official Algebra I end of course exam or attain a qualifying score on an approved standardized test.
* High School Seniors: If you meet all of the eligibility requirements except the end-of-course exam score, you may establish eligibility by achieving a combined ACT math sub-score and high school GPA in accordance with the scale below. You may achieve the qualifying score as a high school or postsecondary student. If you achieve the score as a postsecondary student, you may be eligible for an award in the same term that you take the test.
ACT and GPA Requirements
Eligibility Report
By June 30th of each year, the A+ Coordinator will submit a list of the names of all graduating, certified A+ students eligible to receive financial assistance. The final high school transcripts of these students will be marked accordingly. A+ Scholarship eligibility may continue until 48 months after the graduation date documented on the high school transcript.
Attendance Requirement
A+ participants are expected to attend school regularly. A+ participants must graduate with a minimum cumulative (grades 9-12) attendance rate of 95%. (An attendance rate of 94.9% will not be rounded). Attendance is based upon all days when school is in regular session. It is the responsibility of each A+ participant to closely monitor his/her attendance. Please check with your A+ Coordinator to verify your overall attendance average at any time throughout your four years of high school.
The A+ Attendance Policy includes information where a student may file an appeal in cases where the absence was beyond the control of the A+ participant via a review process. Attendance appeals can be done during your senior year. A+ Attendance Waivers are available in the high school counseling center or from the A+ Coordinator. Appeals must be submitted by April 1st of students’ senior year.
Each A+ participant should read and understand the attendance policy including the criteria for filing an attendance appeal. Final determination of A+ eligibility cannot be made until an A+ participant graduates and his/her final overall average attendance is calculated.
Citizenship Requirement
An important component of the A+ Schools Program is the fostering of good citizenship in our district's students. A student demonstrates good citizenship by showing respect for self, law, property and the rights of others. Students have not demonstrated good citizenship if, while in grades nine through twelve, they have:
- Pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to, received a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended execution of sentence for, agreed to a deferred prosecution for, or been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony.
- Unlawfully used or possessed drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcohol on or off school property.
- Had an out-of-school suspension.
- Violated the district's rules governing academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, etc.).
The following are examples of offenses that may result in removal from the A+ Program:
- Possession, use, sale or transfer of alcohol, drugs or narcotics
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Criminal activity as defined by the Safe Schools Act
- Distribution of drugs
- Possession of a weapon (under provision of Ch. 471 Mo. Revised Statutes)
- Serious sexual misbehavior/exposure
- Possession of dangerous items
- Dangerous behavior
- Other offenses as indicated by the Citizenship Review Committee
Grade Point Requirement
A+ participants must graduate with a cumulative minimum unweighted, unrounded, grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. (A GPA of 2.49 will not be rounded). The cumulative GPA will be computed over a period of four years in high school. Final determination of A+ eligibility cannot be made until an A+ participant graduates and his/her final GPA is calculated.
Tutoring/Mentoring Requirement
A+ participants must perform fifty hours of unpaid mentoring/tutoring. It is important to make a plan to complete tutoring hours and see your A+ Coordinator to verify your tutoring plan is approved. Tutoring time should be documented on the official A+ Tutoring Log. This log may be turned in at any time to the A+ Coordinator who will then review and record any approved hours for the participant. Do not wait until the end of senior year to turn in all hours. If any hours are not approved, a student could find themselves lacking the total number of hours necessary to meet the requirement. Examples of Tutoring/Mentoring options may be found on each high school's A+ Program page.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid Requirement (FAFSA)
A+ participants and their parents are required to complete and submit the FAFSA as a good faith effort to secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment. Information reported on FAFSA is required by post-secondary institutions to complete the enrollment process and must be completed each year the student is enrolled at their postsecondary school. The A+ Scholarship provided by the State of Missouri will reimburse the unpaid balance of a student's tuition and general fees after all available, non-loan federal financial assistance, such as the federal Pell Grant (FAFSA), has been applied to their account. This may result in a zero award if the student's Pell Grant is sufficient to cover all tuition and general fees. Participants are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible beginning October 1st of their senior year. Students and Parents must first create their separate FAFSA IDs at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch. The FAFSA may then be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Receipt of Funds at Participating Community Colleges and Technical Schools
- In order to receive A+ financial assistance, an eligible student must:
- Make a good-faith effort to secure all sources of federal funding that could be applied to tuition reimbursement.
- Be admitted and enrolled at a participating institution on a full-time basis in accordance with the law unless the student is enrolled in all the available hours applicable to the student's program of study in a given term, the student is participating in a required internship, or the student is enrolled in prerequisite courses that do not require full-time enrollment.
- Not be enrolled in or intend to use the award to enroll in a course of study leading to a degree in theology or divinity.
- Not have a criminal record preventing receipt of federal Title IV student financial aid.
- Meet the institution's definition of satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution's policies and law.
- Meet the course completion standards as required by law.
SJSD A+ Program and Counseling Department
The SJSD A+ Program in conjunction with the SJSD Counseling Department maintains records regarding the following:
- Student demographics and enrollment.
- Student completion and performance of coursework.
- The number of students who continue their education at four-year colleges and universities, community colleges and career/technical schools.
- The number of students who enter the labor force.
- The number of students who enter military service.
- A+ Schools Program outcomes.
- The relationship of the partnership plan to student success.
- Student eligibility for A+ financial incentives.
An advisory committee made up of various community members and school personnel meets each year to review the A+ program, its procedures and outcomes.
Contact Information for the A+ Coordinator of each high school can be found on each high school's A+ program page.
School Coordinators
Documents and Forms
Tutoring and Mentoring Opportunities
Examples of ways to get your 50 Hours of Tutoring/Mentoring for A+ Certification at SJSD High Schools. See your A+ Coordinator to verify your plan is approved in advance.
During the School Year
- Peer Tutoring Class (Senior Level Class)
- Tutor at an elementary school after high school dismissed
- Tutor children at the Noyes Home (after school)
- Tutor or Mentor younger students in an approved community program
During the Summer
- Work at Elementary Summer School
- Tutor or Read to children at Noyes Home
- Assist with Safety Town
- Assist with the United Way Reading Program
- Assist with Prairie Lands Writing Project
Other Options
- High School sponsored Children's Clinics (Sports, Fine Arts, Etc.)
- Special Olympics
- Elementary School Carnivals
- Robidoux Resident Theater Youth Activities
- Boy Scouts
Job Shadowing
- May be counted toward the 50 hour requirement with a maximum of 12.5 hours.
Mentoring at church related activities
- May be considered with a maximum of 10 hours.
Community Colleges and VoTech Schools
A-C
- Arcadia Valley Career Technical Center (Ironton, MO)
- Boonslick Technical Education Center (Boonville, MO)
- Brookfield Area Career Center (Brookfield, MO)
- Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center (Cape Girardeau, MO)
- Career & Technology Center At Ft. Osage (Independence, MO)
- Carrollton Area Career Center (Carrolton, MO)
- Carthage Technical Center (Carthage, MO)
- Cass Career Center (Harrisonville, MO)
- Clinton Technical School (Clinton, MO)
- Crowder College (Neosho, MO)
- Current River Career Center (Doniphan, MO)
D-H
- Dallas County Career Center (Louisburg, MO)
- Davis H. Hart Career Center (Mexico, MO)
- East Central College (Union, MO)
- Eldon Career Center (Eldon, MO)
- Excelsior Springs Area Career Center (Excelsior Springs, MO)
- Four Rivers Career Center (Washington, MO)
- Franklin Technology Center (Joplin, MO)
- Grand River Technical School (Chillicothe, MO)
- Hannibal Career & Technical Center (Hannibal, MO)
- Herndon Career Center (Raytown, MO)
I-M
- Kennett Career & Technology Center (Kennett, MO)
- Kirksville Area Tech. Center (Kirksville, MO)
- Jefferson College (Hillsboro, MO)
- Lake Career & Technical Center (Camdenton, MO)
- Lamar Area Vocational/Technical School (Lamar, MO)
- Lebanon Technology & Career Center (Lebanon, MO)
- Lewis & Clark Career Center (Saint Charles, MO)
- Lex La-Ray Technical Center (Lexington, MO)
- Macon Area Career and Technical Education Center (Macon, MO)
- Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City, MO)
- Mineral Area College (Park Hills, MO)
- Missouri State University-West Plains (West Plains, MO)
- Moberly Area Community College (Moberly, MO)
- Moberly Area Technical Center (Moberly, MO)
N-R
- Nevada Regional Technical Center (Nevada, MO)
- New Madrid R-I Technical Skills Center (New Madrid, MO)
- North Central Career Center (Bethany, MO)
- North Central Missouri College (Savannah and Trenton, MO)
- North Technical (Florissant, MO)
- Northland Career Center (Platte City, MO)
- Northwest Technical School (Maryville, MO)
- Ozark Mountain Technical Center (Mountain Grove, MO)
- Ozarks Technical Community College (Springfield, MO)
- Pemiscot County Career & Technology Center (Hayti, MO)
- Perryville Area Career and Technology Center (Perryville, MO)
- Pike/Lincoln Technical Center (Eolia, MO)
- Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center (Poplar Bluff, MO)
- Ranken Technical College (St. Louis, MO)
- Rolla Technical Institute (Rolla, MO)
S-Z
- Saline Co. Career Center (Marshall, MO)
- Sikeston Career & Tech. Center (Sikeston, MO)
- South Missouri Technical Institute (West Plains, MO)
- South Technical (St. Louis, MO)
- Southwest Area Career Center (Monett, MO)
- St. Charles Community College (Cottleville, MO)
- St. Louis Community College (St. Louis, MO)
- State Fair Community College (Sedalia, MO)
- State Technical College of Missouri (Linn, MO)
- Table Rock Career Center (Reeds Spring, MO)
- Three Rivers Community College (Poplar Bluff, MO)
- Unitec Career Center (Bonne Terre, MO)
- Warrensburg Area Career Center (Warrensburg, MO)
- Waynesville Technical Academy (Waynesville, MO)