Learn how Missouri's Close the Gap program helps K-12 students by providing up to $1,500 for tutoring and other educational expenses.
Maximum grant amount for eligible students to empower their educational journey.
With tutoring in over 3,000 academic subjects from approved partners, your student is guaranteed to get the help they need.
Thousands of Missouri students will have the opportunity to benefit from the Close the Gap Grant.
The Missouri Close the Gap Grant is a dedicated initiative aimed at improving education in the state. It offers a one-time grant of up to $1,500 to eligible Missouri residents that can be used to cover a variety of educational expenses.
One key advantage of Close the Gap is the grant's focus on tutoring services. It empowers parents to invest in their child's education by providing financial access to quality tutoring that can enhance academic performance and ensure no student is left behind. It's a step toward a brighter future for Missouri's youth.
Tutoring is the most efficient way to get back on track or get ahead. One-on-one tutoring sessions are available from expert educators who will create personalized programs to address your student's needs.
Explore a world of learning resources. Funding is available for various educational materials, textbooks, and other essential tools, offering diverse options to enrich your child's education.
Enhance the learning experience with assistance from online subscriptions and educational software. These resources offer a wide range of academic activities, providing additional options to boost your child's education.
The Close the Gap Grant allows you to choose the best options for your child's education, with custom tutoring services standing out as a superior and personalized path to academic success.
While Close the Gap funds can be used for a variety of services, we believe, and studies show, that tutoring is the best way for students to learn. A great tutor works directly with a student to create a learning plan that helps the student reach his or her goals. Some companies, such as Varsity Tutors, have a demonstrated history of success, specializing in matching student needs to tutor strengths.
Tutoring services provide personalized support tailored to your child's specific needs. Whether your child needs help in a particular subject, assistance with homework, or a boost in study skills, tutors can adapt lessons to the student’s learning style and education goals.
Research has shown that tutoring can significantly boost academic performance. By nurturing a deeper understanding of subjects, boosting confidence, and monitoring progress, tutoring ensures your child will receive the targeted help they need to succeed academically.
With the Close the Gap Grant, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide array of tutors and educational services. The grant covers the costs of tutoring, making this valuable resource accessible to all eligible students.
The Close the Gap Grant is a program designed to provide financial support to Missouri K-12 grade public school district and charter school students for allowable educational expenses. To be eligible, the student must be a Missouri resident and currently enrolled in K-12 in a Missouri public school district or charter school. Funding is prioritized for households with an income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Applications for the Close the Gap Grant are open from September 20 to October 25, 2023. You can apply online through the designated application portal during this period.
If approved, the grant funds will be available in a parent's Odyssey account after the first of November. The allocated amount can be used for allowable education services and products within the Odyssey Marketplace and for reimbursement to parents who make (or have made) direct purchases for allowable expenses between July 1, 2022, and June 1, 2024, with uploaded receipts and required documentation. We have a blog post on the top 5 ways to use your Close the Gap grant money.
The Close the Gap Grant covers a wide range of education services and products, including tutoring services, academic day or summer camps, arts-related programs, educational materials and products, online learning subscriptions, educational software, before- or after-school educational programs, and more.
Yes, all grant funds must be used by June 1, 2024.
No, there is no specific limit on the number of subjects covered by the grant. You can use the grant to support your child's educational needs in various subjects and areas of study.
Parents can receive reimbursement for allowable services and products purchased between July 1, 2022, and June 1, 2024. To seek reimbursement, go to your dashboard and click “Reimbursements.” An upload feature will appear, where you can upload a picture (PDF) of your receipt. If you purchased a tangible product, please include a photo of the physical product with the model number visible, if available. You will be prompted to select a payment method for your reimbursement, either check or bank transfer.