MOSCHOLARS: How It Works and What the Research Shows
MOScholars is Missouri's education savings account (ESA) scholarship program, helping eligible families access educational options that meet their children's needs.
Established in 2021, the program provides scholarships for students with disabilities and students from qualifying lower-income households. Funds can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, curriculum, and other approved expenses.
The Policy Research in Missouri Education (PRiME) Center at Saint Louis University studies MOScholars participation, student achievement, and family experiences to help Missourians understand the program and its outcomes.
Latest Research: How Are MOScholars Students Performing?
NEW RESEARCH | OCTOBER 2026
For the first time, researchers have released a statewide analysis of academic achievement among students participating in MOScholars.
PRiME's three-year study finds that average student performance was near national averages in English Language Arts and Math during the program's first three years.
Among students with valid assessment scores:
English Language Arts: Average scores rose from the 46th to the 51st national percentile between 2022–23 and 2024–25.
Math: Average scores rose from the 47th to the 49th national percentile during the same period.
Students with disabilities: More than 30 percent of MOScholars students have special needs and an IEP.
The report analyzes 2,156 scores from 19 nationally norm-referenced assessment types, providing an important baseline for understanding student outcomes as the program grows.
MOScholars at a Glance
-
10,235 students
Received MOScholars educational funding for the 2026–27 school year.
-
$68.7 million
In educational funds awarded for 2026–27.
-
2022–23
The program's first school year.
How Does MOScholars Work?
MOScholars helps qualifying families access educational resources beyond those available through their assigned public schools.
The program was established by the Missouri General Assembly in 2021 and is supported through a state tax credit system.
Here's how it works:
Scholarship funding: Individuals and organizations contribute to approved nonprofit Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs), supported by Missouri tax credits.
Scholarship awards: EAOs administer scholarship accounts and award funds to students who meet eligibility requirements.
Educational choices: Families use the scholarships for approved educational expenses that support their children's learning needs.
The Missouri State Treasurer's Office oversees the program, while approved EAOs administer scholarship awards.
Who is eligible for MOScholars?
Students may qualify through one of two primary pathways:
Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Students with an approved IEP developed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act may qualify for a scholarship.Students from qualifying lower-income households
Students who meet statutory household income limits may qualify if they also meet additional requirements, such as previous public school attendance, eligibility to begin kindergarten or first grade, or certain sibling provisions.
What can MOScholars scholarships pay for?
Approved educational expenses can include private school tuition, academic tutoring, educational therapies, curriculum, and other services and materials authorized by Missouri law.
Scholarship amounts and allowable expenses are governed by state law and program requirements.
Looking for a MOScholars scholarship? PRiME conducts research about MOScholars but does not administer scholarships or applications.
For current eligibility requirements, participating organizations, and application information, visit the Missouri State Treasurer's official MOScholars resources.
What Does the Research Tell Us About MOScholars?
As MOScholars expands, researchers are examining who participates, how students perform, and what families think about their experiences.
Student achievement is near national averages
PRiME's first three-year student outcomes study found that average English Language Arts and Math performance was near national averages by 2024–25. Researchers also examined students with multiple years of valid test results. These early findings suggest that students generally maintained their academic standing relative to national peers over time.
Explore the Student Outcomes Report
Parents report high satisfaction
Across the first three school years, approximately 99% of respondents to MOScholars parent satisfaction surveys reported being satisfied with the program overall. Approximately 98% reported satisfaction with their child's academic achievement. Families also identified areas for improvement, particularly program communication, scholarship administration, and flexibility in using funds.
Explore the Parent Satisfaction Report
Program participation has grown substantially
MOScholars participation increased from 1,361 students in 2022–23 to 2,678 in 2024–25—an increase of approximately 97%.
The program also serves a student population with different characteristics from Missouri's overall public school population. Roughly 30% of participants during the first three years had an IEP, compared with approximately 14% of Missouri public school students.
Understanding these differences is important when interpreting student outcomes and studying how the program changes over time.
What questions remain?
The first years of research provide valuable insights, but they are also a starting point. Additional years of data will help researchers better understand how academic performance changes over time, how outcomes vary among student groups, and what happens as participating students progress through school.
The current student outcomes research describes achievement but does not determine the causal impact of participation in MOScholars.
Frequently Asked Questions About MOScholars
-
MOScholars is Missouri's education savings account scholarship program. It provides funding to eligible students for certain approved educational expenses through scholarship accounts administered by nonprofit organizations.
-
No. Private school tuition is one eligible expense, but MOScholars can also support tutoring, educational therapies, curriculum, and other authorized educational services.ext goes here
-
Students in grades subject to testing requirements generally must complete nationally norm-referenced assessments. Certain students who qualify for alternate assessments under their IEPs are exempt.
-
The first three-year study found that average achievement was near national averages. It does not establish whether MOScholars participation caused changes in achievement. Continued research will help provide a more complete picture of student outcomes.
-
The Missouri State Treasurer's Office oversees the program. Approved nonprofit Educational Assistance Organizations administer scholarships to eligible students.
The PRiME Center conducts research about the program and its outcomes.
-
Families can find current eligibility guidelines, participating organizations, and program resources through the Missouri State Treasurer's Office.
About PRiME's MOScholars Research
The Policy Research in Missouri Education (PRiME) Center at Saint Louis University conducts research to help families, educators, and policymakers better understand Missouri education.
PRiME researchers have prepared studies of MOScholars student achievement, parent satisfaction, participation, and demographics for the Missouri State Treasurer's Office.
The center's work includes reviewing and validating assessment data, analyzing student outcomes, and improving the consistency of future research and reporting.
Research and Media Inquiries
For questions about the research findings, methodology, or interviews with PRiME researchers, please contact the PRiME Center via prime@slu.edu or call Diana Rickert at 847-602-8039.