Grants are need-based gift aid (funds that do not have to be paid back) awarded to students who meet certain financial and sometimes academic criteria. Eligibility for these financial aid programs is determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and sending its results to Rockhurst University (our FAFSA code is 002499).

Federal Pell Grant

This federal grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Education to undergraduate students demonstrating a high level of financial need. The amount of these grants varies and is determined by the Department of Education.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

These federal grants are awarded through the University to undergraduate students demonstrating a high financial need. The amount of these grants varies and awards are limited, so filing the FAFSA early is important. 

Missouri State Grants

For Missouri residents attending a college or university within the state, there are a variety of grant and scholarship programs available. Many of these resources require filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the February 1 state priority deadline.

• Missouri Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight) Amount may vary. 
  • Missouri undergraduate students scoring in the top 3% of Missouri high school students taking the ACT or SAT. The scholarship is renewable with full-time enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 2.0. The application deadline is June 1.
• Missouri Teacher Education Scholarship - $1,000
  • Missouri undergraduate students who rank in the top 15% of their high school class and plan to major in teacher education are eligible. Applications are available from your high school or state. Not renewable. Application deadline is March 1.
• Robert C. Byrd Honors - $1,500
  • First-time freshmen who score in the 90th percentile on the ACT/SAT and rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. Applications are available from your high school. Students must be enrolled full-time. Not renewable. Application deadline varies by state.
• Missouri Marguerite-Ross Barnett Scholarship - Amount varies
  • Missouri residents enrolled part-time who are employed and are compensated for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Applications are available from the Missouri Coordinating Board of Higher Education, 314-751-6635.
• Access Missouri Grant - Amount varies
  • Open to Missouri residents who demonstrate financial need. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed by February 1 to establish eligibility
• Missouri Department of Education
  • The Missouri Department of Education offers the “Journey To College” web portal to assist Missouri high school students in planning and paying for college. The State Financial Aid portal allows students to learn about and apply for scholarships and grants, and determine their eligibility for state aid programs.

Rockhurst University Grants

• Hawk Fund 
  • ​The Hawk Fund is a grant based on Rockhurst's unique institutional definitions of financial need that goes beyond the state and federal levels. Hawk Funds are sometimes replaced with special scholarship funds before enrollment to the benefit of the student. 
• Mission Grant
  • ​This unique grant program is for academically eligible students, living on campus, with high financial needs determined by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Mission Grant generally covers the remaining direct cost (standard tuition, fees, room and board) after a recipient's Rockhurst scholarships, state grants, federal grants, federal student loans and estimated family contribution (EFC from the FAFSA) are applied. This essentially makes the out-of-pocket cost to attend Rockhurst University approximately equal to the student's EFC and standard student loan amounts. If a student moves off campus, they will no longer be eligible for the Mission Grant.

To determine eligibility for the above programs, students must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have results sent to Rockhurst University (our FAFSA code is 002499).

Note: Any combination of gift aid from institutional and outside resources will not exceed the student's actual cost of attendance.