Fast Track

Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant

The Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant is a program designed to provide adults with the education and skills needed to enter the workforce in fields that are in high demand.

Who is Eligible?

Beginning in fall 2022, this program will serve both students and apprentices by providing grants to assist with tuition and general fees or direct costs of an apprenticeship such as tools, books, and uniforms.

Students must be enrolled in a designated program of study at a participating Missouri school.  Apprentices must be participating in an apprenticeship in Missouri that is approved by the U.S. Department of Labor and that prepares them for employment in a high-demand field as designed by the department.

The designated programs and apprenticeships will be available in the application.  A current list is not yet available on this website.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Be either
  • At least 25 years old, or
  • If you are a student, have not attended high school or a postsecondary school in the last two years, or
  • If you are an apprentice, have not been enrolled in a postsecondary program in the last two years, unless the program relates to your current apprenticeship.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be a Missouri resident, an active duty member of the U.S. military transferred to Missouri, or the spouse of an activity duty military member.  If you are a student who is a Missouri resident, you must have been a Missouri resident for at least two years prior to receiving the grant.
• Have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), if applicable.  Check with your provider to see if a FAFSA is required to determine your Fast Track award.
• Have a federal adjusted gross income as documented on your Missouri 1040 tax form (or federal 1040 form if you’re active duty military) of either:
  • $80,000 or less if your tax filing status is married filing jointly, or
  • $40,000 or less for any other tax filing status.
• For students, enroll in an eligible program at least half-time. 

• For apprentices, be formally participating in a U.S. Department of Labor-approved and DHEWD designated apprenticeship and meeting any requirements defined by your apprenticeship provider. 
• Have not yet received a bachelor’s degree.

Application

The application is available electronically through the State Financial Aid Portal for the 2022-2023 academic year. 

You must create an account in MDHEWD’s Student Portal to access the application.  Information about the Student Portal is available here.

To Apply:

• Login to the State Financial Aid Portal.
• Select the Estimate Eligibility link in the menu at the top of the page.
• Select the appropriate academic year from the “Select an academic year” dropdown menu.
• Click the Apply link in the Fast Track Workforce Incentive grant row of the table.

You must upload a copy of your Missouri 1040 tax form to complete your application. Summer and fall coursework will be covered but awards will be made retroactively.

Awards

• The Fast Track grant is designed to ensure, when combined with other state and federal financial aid, that tuition and fees are fully covered for students and that direct apprenticeship costs such as tools, books, and uniforms are covered for apprentices.
• Awards will be for any remaining costs not covered by other state and federal student aid programs.
• For students, if other aid covers the full tuition and fee costs, the award will be up to $500 to cover other costs such as books and supplies, room and board, or transportation.