Missouri Bright Flight Program

Scholarship Sponsored by Missouri Department Of Higher Education

Here’s a clearer, teacher-style version of the Bright Flight information — written the way I’d explain it to my students so you know what to do and when.

Overview
Bright Flight is a merit scholarship from the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development that rewards top-ranked Missouri high school seniors who attend approved Missouri colleges and universities.

Important updates you must know
- Superscoring: If you take the ACT more than once, MDHEWD will combine the highest section scores from different test dates (a “superscore”) for Bright Flight eligibility starting with the graduating class of 2023. That means you don’t have to get every section perfect on a single test date.
- Send your scores when you register: To have ACT send your scores directly to MDHEWD, enter code 2379 when you register. You can add the code later in your ACT account, but ACT will charge a fee — save the fee by entering 2379 up front.
- Score thresholds (class of 2023 and after): You must meet the new cutoffs: a composite score of 32 qualifies for up to $3,000; a composite score of 31 qualifies for up to $1,000.

Testing deadlines and rules
- Your qualifying composite score must be achieved by the June test date immediately following your high school graduation. (Scores from the July test date after graduation do NOT qualify.)
- Only composite scores from national test dates or special test dates approved by the testing companies are acceptable. Residual tests are not acceptable.

Who is eligible — Initial students (first-time college students)
To receive Bright Flight as an entering student you must:
- Be a Missouri resident and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Have a composite ACT or SAT score that places you in:
- the top 3 percent of Missouri students taking those tests, or
- the top 4th or 5th percentiles of Missouri students taking those tests.
- Enroll as a first-time student and begin using the scholarship in the academic year immediately following your high school graduation (or following receipt of a GED or completion of home-school coursework).
- Be enrolled full time at a participating Missouri institution. Full time generally means:
- 12 semester hours, or
- 6 semester hours for students who cannot enroll in 12 hours because of a disability as defined by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Provide any supplemental eligibility documentation if requested by MDHEWD and meet the deadline they set.
- Not be pursuing a degree or certificate in theology or divinity.

Who is eligible — Renewal students (continuing recipients)
To renew Bright Flight each year you must:
- Continue to meet the initial eligibility requirements listed above.
- Receive the scholarship at least one semester each academic year, beginning in the academic year immediately after your senior year (or after your GED or home-school completion).
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and otherwise make satisfactory academic progress as defined by your school. (If you received your first Bright Flight payment this academic year, the 2.5 GPA requirement does not apply for that year.)

Quick action checklist
1. Register for the ACT and enter code 2379 so MDHEWD gets your scores without a fee.
2. Aim for at least a 31–32 composite (or the percentile cutoffs listed).
3. Take the ACT or SAT by the June test date after graduation.
4. Enroll full time at an approved Missouri school the academic year immediately after graduation.
5. Keep a cumulative GPA of 2.5+ after the first funded year to renew the award.

If you want, I can format this as a printable checklist or help you figure out whether your current scores look like they’ll meet the Bright Flight cutoffs.