Proposed rules for how Missouri's new MO Scholars ESA scholarship program have been published for public viewing in the most recent edition of the Missouri Register. Please see below for more information on how to read and comment on the proposed rules.
While there are still many unknowns, including a specific date when applications for scholarships will be available, this is an important step in the process of getting the scholarship program up and running and able to offer scholarships for students to use in the fall of 2022.
Now that the Treasurer's Office's proposed rules have been published, the public will have a chance to offer comments and suggestions from March 1 through March 30. Those comments and suggestions will be reviewed by the Treasurer's Office and may be incorporated in the final rules that will govern this new program. The Treasurer's Office is also currently accepting applications from organizations interested in distributing scholarships. The organizations, called Education Assistance Organizations or EAOs, will be responsible for accepting applications and awarding scholarships. Applications to become an EAO are due by March 11. With these two key processes happening in tandem, we are hopeful that scholarship applications will be available soon after the comment period on the rules is completed and EAOs have been approved by the Treasurer's Office. If you would like to learn more about the MO Scholars ESA scholarship program, or know someone else with children who may qualify, we are offering a number of in person and virtual information sessions about the new program. In-person events are planned for:
Jefferson City March 24 at 6 p.m. Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams St, Jefferson City, MO 65101
St. Charles April 28 at 6 p.m. Cuivre River Electric Cooperative, 8757 Hwy N, Lake St Louis, MO 63367
Virtual events will be conducted through the Zoom platform, with three English sessions and one Spanish session planned for late March/early April. These sessions will be offered on:
Wednesday, March 30 at 6 p.m.(in English)
Thursday, March 31 at noon (in English)
Saturday, April 2 at 1 p.m. (in English)
Saturday, April 2 at 2 p.m. (in Spanish)
To sign up for any of these sessions, either in-person or virtual, please visit https://www.showmeschooloptions.org/upcoming-events To read the proposed rules please visit https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/AdRules/moreg/2022/v47n5March1/v47n5a.pdf (see pp. 318- 331). Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to these proposed rules with the Office of the State Treasurer, Harry S. Truman State Office Building, PO Box 210, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or via email at info@treasurer.mo.gov before March 30.
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