Missouri’s Fast Track Program can help cover costs for adults at SEMO

Adults who are interested in earning a college degree can take advantage of Missouri’s Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant to help pay for classes at Southeast Missouri State University.

According to a news release from the university, the program was developed by the state to increase the number of Missourians who have a college degree and help with workforce development efforts around the state. The program may be used to pay for a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in areas designated as “high-need” in Missouri.

“The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant makes it easier for adults to start college or pick up where they left off by removing or lessening the financial barrier,” associate director of the Southeast Transfer Center Brooke Lockhart said in the release. “This is important because we know that affordability is still the driving factor when individuals are making decisions about whether to attend college. This helps take that stress out of their decision to continue their education.”

SEMO offers more than 42 programs that are eligible for the grant, including several online. The grant was designed to ensure that adult tuition and fees are fully covered in combination with other government aid and scholarships.

The Fast Track Program is available to Missourians who are 25 or older who haven’t enrolled in school in the past two years, haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree, are at least half-time students and are earning less than $40,000 per year as a single tax filer — $80,000 if filing jointly with a spouse.

For more information, visit www.semo.edu/admissions or call (573) 651-2590.