Originally, the MOScholars program was funded by private donations in exchange for tax credits. However, in 2025/2026, the state began redirecting $51 million in direct taxpayer money from the General Revenue fund into private school scholarships. This is money that could have been used to fund the public school Foundation Formula or teacher salary increases.
The state of Missouri ranks nationally in the bottom 10% in state funding for public education.
SB 998
Removal of Quality Standards: Under current proposals (like SB 998), the state would be prohibited from requiring accreditation for participating private schools.
Removes from the law that students must have attended public school for at least one semester in the previous year to qualify for the scholarship. This allows students who are already enrolled in private school or homeschooling to qualify for a scholarship.
This bill significantly expands eligibility by allowing students to qualify based on a diagnosis from a licensed professional, bypassing the stricter federal requirements of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This shift means a student does not necessarily need specialized instruction to access a scholarship. For example, the program could now include students with food allergies or anxiety disorders, provided a licensed physician or mental health professional certifies that the condition impacts a major life activity.
