How MO Scholars works
MO Scholars, written officially as MOScholars, is the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. Lawmakers created it in 2021. It works like this:
- Donors give to nonprofits called Educational Assistance Organizations (EAOs) and get a state tax credit worth 100% of the gift, up to half their Missouri tax bill.
- EAOs award accounts to eligible students.
- Families spend the account on approved costs through Odyssey, the platform the Treasurer chose for 2026–27.
The Treasurer's office oversees the program and certifies EAOs. It's not a public school transfer, and the Treasurer says it doesn't reduce your district's funding.
Scale has grown quickly. Treasurer Vivek Malek reported 10,235 students funded for 2026–27 with more than $68 million, from over 16,000 applications, across 385 schools and 350 homeschool programs.
MO Scholars eligibility in detail
Every student must be a Missouri resident in grades K–12. Then they need one of these:
| Path | What you need | Extra condition |
|---|
| IEP | An IEP under IDEA, or an ISP developed with a district under IDEA, dated within 36 months | None |
| Income | Household income at or below 300% of the free and reduced-price lunch standard | Public school full time for a semester in the last 12 months, or entering K or 1st grade, or sibling of a current recipient |
Watch for these common snags:
- ISPs not developed under IDEA don't count. A private school learning plan alone won't qualify your child.
- The plan date matters. An IEP older than 36 months at application won't work.
- Long-time homeschoolers and private school families often fail the income path, because they haven't attended public school recently. Students entering kindergarten or 1st grade are the exception.
Award amounts
The law ties awards to Missouri's state adequacy target, which the state education department calculates each year. EdChoice notes awards can reach 175% of that target depending on need. EAOs set their own amounts within those limits:
- Herzog Tomorrow Foundation: $6,900 per student for 2026–27 spending.
- Family Paced Education (homeschool) at Herzog: a planned $2,500 per student.
Other EAOs may differ. Ask yours for its current figure in writing. Herzog says unused funds roll over to the next school year.
The MO Scholars application, step by step
- Pick your EAO. If your child will attend a private school, ask the school which EAO it partners with. If you homeschool, use a statewide EAO that funds Family Paced Education, such as Herzog, Activate Missouri or the LCMS Missouri District.
- Take the screener. Most EAOs start with a short "do we qualify" form.
- Gather documents. Herzog lists income documentation, tax returns, public school attendance, proof of residency and your child's IEP.
- Submit the state application. EAO staff walk you through it. Herzog awards first come, first served.
- Enroll and set up Odyssey. After an award, enroll at your school or set up your homeschool plan, then activate your account.
- Renew each year. Returning students and their siblings get priority, according to EdChoice.
Spending your account through Odyssey
From 2026–27, MOScholars purchases run through Odyssey. In practice:
- Schools and providers get paid directly through the platform.
- No reimbursement for homeschool purchases, Herzog says. Buy through Odyssey, not your own card.
- Approved vendors only. Herzog noted there was no approved vendor list for homeschool curriculum yet when it published its guidance, so check Odyssey before you plan around a product.
Allowed costs include tuition, curriculum, textbooks, tutoring, therapies, Missouri-based private virtual school, test fees, EAO-approved technology, summer and after-school programs and school mileage. Not allowed: consumable supplies, out-of-state private school tuition and payments to relatives.
What families buy with MOScholars
Common choices include:
Build a wishlist on Edulist before your award lands. When your account opens you'll know exactly what to buy, and vendors on your list can see that scholarship families want their product.
Homeschooling with MOScholars
Missouri homeschoolers, called Family Paced Education students, can use MOScholars. Herzog started funding homeschoolers after changes to state law and new guidance from the Treasurer. Its rules include:
- A planned award of $2,500 per student, lower than its $6,900 standard award
- An annual standardized test for students in 3rd grade and up
- All purchases through Odyssey, with no reimbursement
The biggest hurdle is eligibility: many homeschool families don't meet the income path's public school attendance rule. Read the legal side in our guide to homeschooling in Missouri.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Applying late. First-come awards fill. Have tax returns, residency proof and IEPs scanned before the window opens.
- Picking the wrong EAO. Each school partners with specific EAOs. Confirm before you apply.
- Buying before your award. Out-of-pocket purchases may not be reimbursed.
- Assuming the amount. Awards vary by EAO and student. Get your number in writing.
For the full Missouri picture, including the federal credit, see Missouri school choice.