The Lutheran High School of Kansas City

The mission of The SCOIR College Network is to improve access to the opportunities that a college education provides. SCOIR was founded on the belief that students are more than their SATs and GPAs and that colleges are more than their rankings. SCOIR transforms the college admissions process from a short-term, quantitative transaction to a long-term, qualitative engagement. 

Students can create their SCOIR account at no cost and then use this online platform to manage their college application journey. Students can identify factors important to them in their college experience, research colleges that match those descriptors, follow social media using the College Wall, and keep track of their application steps and deadlines for admission. Parents can view the colleges their students are pursuing and access information regarding the cost of attendance for each college. Our school guidance counselor can help students navigate the application process and suggest colleges for our students to follow.

Follow this link to learn about financial aid for online colleges and to see a list of online college options:
 https://edubirdie.com/blog/financial-aid-for-online-colleges 

University HQ offers free educational resources to help students determine their best college and career path options. Follow this link to learn about colleges, test prep, financial aid, career statistics and more: https://universityhq.org/how-to-become/

The Common Application is a not-for-profit, member organization committed to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. The Common Application allows students the opportunity to apply to more than 800 colleges with only one application. Click here to visit The Common Application website. 

Many local, state and national scholarships can be found at
https://www.goingmerry.com/ 
Here is an article from Going Merry to help with understanding award letters:
https://www.goingmerry.com/blog/financial-aid-award-letter/

High achieving students who meet eligibility based on ACT composite
score can receive the MO Bright Flight Scholarship. Learn more at
https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants/
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Journey to College helps students and parents in the state of Missouri plan and pay for college. Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Higher Education, Journey to College provides information about college through publications, social media, and events. 

For more information, please click here to visit the Journey to College website.

When used for higher-education expenses at an eligible postsecondary school, money can be used to pay for tuition, as well as room and board (with limitations). Books, supplies, fees, and equipment that are required for enrollment or attendance are also qualified higher-education expenses. Computers, certain peripheral computer equipment, internet access and related services, and computer software are also qualified higher-education expenses if the items are to be used primarily by the student during enrollment or attendance at any eligible postsecondary school in the United States or abroad.

As of 2018, for federal tax benefit purposes, qualified expenses also include tuition of up to $10,000 per student per year in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. In addition, Missouri taxpayers can use MOST 529 assets to pay for K–12 tuition, with no state tax consequences. State tax treatment of K–12 withdrawals is determined by the state where the taxpayer files state income tax. If you're not a Missouri taxpayer, please consult with a tax advisor.

Can 529 accounts only be used to pay for college?

No. Your 529 savings plan can be used to pay for qualified education expenses at any eligible education institutions, including:

• Post-secondary trade and vocational schools.
• 2- and 4-year colleges.
• Postgraduate programs.
• K–12 public, private, and religious institutions (tuition only).

For more information, please click here to visit the Missouri's 529 Education Plan website.