Program Requirements

  • A part of the A+ Schools program is that a student who qualifies according to the following criteria and continues his/her education at a Missouri public community college or public vocational-technical school may be eligible for state reimbursed tuition. These costs may be reimbursable only after secured federal financial assistance funds that do not require repayment have been applied. The incentive, offered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, may be available for up to six semesters of attendance during the 4-year period following high school graduation.

     

    Requirement 1

    Enter into a written agreement with the high school to participate in the A+ Schools Student Financial Incentives Program.

    A student may enter into the agreement at any time during his/her four years of high school prior to graduation. Due to the requirement to accumulate tutoring/mentoring hours, it is recommended that the agreement be signed as early as possible.  

     

    Requirement 2

    Attend a designated A+ School for two of the four years prior to high school graduation.

    A student must enroll and attend a designated A+ School during his/her sophomore, junior, and senior years.   Any interruption in enrollment cannot cumulatively total more than 20% of instructional days in the two year period. 

     

    Requirement 3

    Graduate from high school with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale (no rounding).

    This average will represent the applicant's cumulative GPA that includes the freshman through senior years.

     

    Requirement 4

    Have at least a 95 percent attendance record for the four-year period (no rounding).

    The applicant must have a 95 percent or better average attendance record for the four-year period, freshman through senior years. A student with a 94.9% percent or lower average will not be eligible.

     

    Requirement 5

    Perform and document 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring for younger students during the four years of high school.

    The following guidelines should be followed in the completion of this requirement: Tutoring and mentoring activities will be school-based, academic in nature, and under the auspices of school. A list of approved tutoring/mentoring activities will be provided to each A+ applicant.   All tutoring and mentoring must be supervised and verified by a teacher, principal, counselor, or the A+ Coordinator.   The A+ Coordinator will maintain records of tutoring/mentoring hours that each applicant accumulates. Only activities that have been verified with a time sheet signature by the tutoring supervisor will be counted toward the 50-hour requirement.

     

    Requirement 6

    Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol.

    Definition of Citizenship: Students who are to receive the financial incentive are expected to be good citizens. The state of Missouri, which funds the A+ Schools Program, and the Lincoln County School District both expect a high standard of behavior.   Students who find themselves in violation of the Troy Buchanan High School discipline code and are consequentially assigned disciplinary action should be aware those actions could jeopardize A+ incentive eligibility.  Please review the Citizenship Guidelines found also on our website.

     

    Requirement 7

    Make a documented good faith effort to secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment.

    During the applicant's senior year, he/she will be required to complete an application for securing federal post-secondary financial assistance. Reimbursement from the state may be given only after federal funds that do not require repayment have been applied.

    Parents must complete (online at www.fafsa.gov) the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA summary report must be sent to the community college or public vocational technical school the student is planning to attend.  Students and parents are encouraged to complete the online FAFSA any time after October 1st of their senior year. 

     

    Requirement 8

    Establish a math proficiency.
    Have achieved a score of proficient or advanced on one of the following end of course exams: Algebra I, Algebra II, or Geometry.  Additional alternatives include a score of 17 on ACT Math subsection with 2.5 GPA, 16 on ACT Math with 2.8 GPA or 15 on ACT Math with 3.0 GPA.