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Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development

Community Colleges

Missouri’s public community colleges include the following 12 institutions (19 campuses): Crowder College in Neosho, East Central College in Union, Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Metropolitan Community College – five campuses in the Kansas City area, Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, St. Charles Community College in St. Peters, St. Louis Community College – four campuses in St. Louis City and County, State Fair Community College in Sedalia, and Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.

Coordination Administration

Coordination Administration includes the Commissioner of Higher Education, the department’s general administrative staff, and the expenses of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education.  Under direction of the Coordinating Board, the administrative staff reviews and coordinates the programs of approximately 59 public and private institutions of higher education.  Staff also prepares the Coordinating Board’s budget recommendations for public colleges and universities.  Other program responsibilities include collecting and distributing student enrollment data and reviewing and approving proposed new degree programs at public institutions.

Division of Workforce Development

The Division of Workforce Development provides services for Missouri businesses, Missouri workers, and Missouri job seekers through the Missouri Job Centers and jobs.mo.gov. The Division of Workforce Development works with a number of strategic partners within Missouri’s Public Workforce System to cultivate resiliency in Missouri’s labor market and to increase the productivity of Missouri's workforce. Details on resources related to workforce services can be found on jobs.mo.gov.

Four Year Institutions

Missouri’s public, four-year institutions of higher education include the following ten institutions:  the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg, Harris-Stowe State University at St. Louis, Lincoln University at Jefferson City, Missouri Southern State University at Joplin, Missouri Western State University at St. Joseph, Northwest Missouri State University at Maryville, Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, Missouri State University at Springfield, Truman State University at Kirksville, and the University of Missouri system.

Missouri Student Grants and Scholarships

The Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development administers a number of grant and scholarship programs designed to help students and families pay for college.  Grants and scholarships are awarded to students of all ages, and eligibility is based on many different factors including financial need, academic achievement, civic involvement, athletic ability, and other skills and interests.

Student Loan Program

The Missouri Student Loan Program administers a program that has provided repayable guaranteed student loans to parents and students through commercial lending institutions since 1979.  Because of changes in federal law, the department no longer has authority to guarantee new federal student loans as of July 1, 2010.  However, the department will continue to fulfill the responsibilities related to its portfolio of outstanding guaranteed and defaulted loans.  The Missouri Student Loan Program uses private contractors to aid in servicing and collecting loans.  Loan program staff perform general loan program administration and oversight functions.  Loan program staff also work closely with lenders, schools, and borrowers to prevent loan defaults.  In addition, loan program staff provide numerous outreach services to inform students, parents, and schools about financial aid, college preparation, financial literacy, and debt management.

Technical College

The State Technical College of Missouri has a statewide mission to offer highly specialized and advanced technical education and training at the certificate and associate degree level.

University of Missouri Related Programs

The Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development budget includes several stand-alone programs that are housed with the University of Missouri.  These programs include 1) University of Missouri - St. Louis International Collaboration; 2) Missouri Telehealth Network; 3) Spinal Cord Injury Program; 4) Missouri Kidney Program; 5) State Historical Society of Missouri; and 6) State Seminary Fund revenue disbursements.