Southwest Student Earns Full Ride At Mizzou
January 26, 2022
Ezra DeVore
“In eighth grade, I wanted to try taking a class on Journalism,” began Lacey Reeves, current University of Missouri student. While taking classes on transitioning into high school, Reeves became intrigued by journalism, and threw a Google search at the idea. Looking into schools for professional journalism, she discovered a local college high on every list: the University of Missouri. “I thought to myself,” she continued, “how have I never heard of this school before?”
Soon after, Reeves discovered that on September 8, 1908, the University of Missouri opened its doors as first real Journalism school in America, only second-opened in the world; first being the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme in Paris, France, founded 9 years prior. While reading of the university’s hand-on approach to gaining real-world experience, she realized this could be the path her study takes.
After speaking with her teachers about the idea, Reeves was told of the opportunity that would make it all possible: the Missouri Land Grant, “which sparked my interest,” she said, “I heard the words ‘100% of financial needs met,’ but I was torn. ‘Do I want to stay here, where I love? Or do I want to go somewhere further away to have a better opportunity?” A truly ancient question, yet she soon found her answer.
This particular land grant covers tuition, and was meant to provide the opportunity for education to those financially unable to accommodate their stay, otherwise. The requirements are based on the ability of the student’s family to offer financial contribution to their child’s educational expenses, and if the family’s ability falls below a certain number, the student is approved. Coming from rural Missouri, one does not expect to attend the first journalism school in the country. Dreading being turned down, Reeves was hesitant to be certain - but soon enough, she found out she met the requirements.
“And that was the first half of the puzzle,” Reeves explained, “the second half would be getting into the Mizzou Honors College. If I got into that, it would cover my room and board, meal plans, books, parking pass, down to the littlest things.” If accepted for both of these grants, Reeves would not have to pay a cent to attend the university.
Automatic entry to the college is a 24 on the ACT, so she set out to getting her score as high as possible to ensure entry, and financial coverage. Reeves would go on to complete the test a total of four times, and dissatisfied with an already-acceptance-worthy score of 26, she decided to undertake serious study to earn entry into the honors program she sought. She researched practice tests online, scoured the ACT book in the Barry County Library, and completed math tests everyday after school.
On her fifth completion of the ACT, Reeves scored a 28 - enough to enter. “The minute I opened that honors acceptance letter, I just looked at my parents and said, “I’m going to college for free.’ I couldn’t believe it,” Reeves said. “I had never been that far north by myself, or lived that far away, ever. It was very weird. When I brought up the grant at school, my friends started looking into Mizzou.”
Her freshman year was paid for, of course, however sophomore year brought trouble in the form of improperly filed documentation. Reeves explained that due to an error in financial data, she received a letter saying she no longer qualified for her grant. “I saw other people transferring or leaving, I didn’t want to be that person.” Reeves then filed a Special Circumstances FAFSA, unsure if it would solve the issue, but remaining hopeful.
Luck, it seems, was on her side, though. “The day before my sophomore move in, I get an email: ‘Your case has been selected, you are eligible for the Missouri Land Grant Honors.’ I had spent that whole summer worrying and worrying, and it had finally come to that day where I’d chosen to continue without the grant. But I was eligible. And I got to go to college my sophomore year free.”
Unfortunately, the honors program offering full financial coverage for all non-tuition costs has ended - but will cover students before the Class of 2025. Beyond that, the additional costs will need to be covered by scholarships or other funds.
But for one lucky student, it all worked.
“In eighth grade, I wanted to try taking a class on Journalism,” began Lacey Reeves, current University of Missouri student. While taking classes on transitioning into high school, Reeves became intrigued by journalism, and threw a Google search at the idea. Looking into schools for professional journalism, she discovered a local college high on every list: the University of Missouri. “I thought to myself,” she continued, “how have I never heard of this school before?”
Soon after, Reeves discovered that on September 8, 1908, the University of Missouri opened its doors as first real Journalism school in America, only second-opened in the world; first being the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme in Paris, France, founded 9 years prior. While reading of the university’s hand-on approach to gaining real-world experience, she realized this could be the path her study takes.
After speaking with her teachers about the idea, Reeves was told of the opportunity that would make it all possible: the Missouri Land Grant, “which sparked my interest,” she said, “I heard the words ‘100% of financial needs met,’ but I was torn. ‘Do I want to stay here, where I love? Or do I want to go somewhere further away to have a better opportunity?” A truly ancient question, yet she soon found her answer.
This particular land grant covers tuition, and was meant to provide the opportunity for education to those financially unable to accommodate their stay, otherwise. The requirements are based on the ability of the student’s family to offer financial contribution to their child’s educational expenses, and if the family’s ability falls below a certain number, the student is approved. Coming from rural Missouri, one does not expect to attend the first journalism school in the country. Dreading being turned down, Reeves was hesitant to be certain - but soon enough, she found out she met the requirements.
“And that was the first half of the puzzle,” Reeves explained, “the second half would be getting into the Mizzou Honors College. If I got into that, it would cover my room and board, meal plans, books, parking pass, down to the littlest things.” If accepted for both of these grants, Reeves would not have to pay a cent to attend the university.
Automatic entry to the college is a 24 on the ACT, so she set out to getting her score as high as possible to ensure entry, and financial coverage. Reeves would go on to complete the test a total of four times, and dissatisfied with an already-acceptance-worthy score of 26, she decided to undertake serious study to earn entry into the honors program she sought. She researched practice tests online, scoured the ACT book in the Barry County Library, and completed math tests everyday after school.
On her fifth completion of the ACT, Reeves scored a 28 - enough to enter. “The minute I opened that honors acceptance letter, I just looked at my parents and said, “I’m going to college for free.’ I couldn’t believe it,” Reeves said. “I had never been that far north by myself, or lived that far away, ever. It was very weird. When I brought up the grant at school, my friends started looking into Mizzou.”
Her freshman year was paid for, of course, however sophomore year brought trouble in the form of improperly filed documentation. Reeves explained that due to an error in financial data, she received a letter saying she no longer qualified for her grant. “I saw other people transferring or leaving, I didn’t want to be that person.” Reeves then filed a Special Circumstances FAFSA, unsure if it would solve the issue, but remaining hopeful.
Luck, it seems, was on her side, though. “The day before my sophomore move in, I get an email: ‘Your case has been selected, you are eligible for the Missouri Land Grant Honors.’ I had spent that whole summer worrying and worrying, and it had finally come to that day where I’d chosen to continue without the grant. But I was eligible. And I got to go to college my sophomore year free.”
Unfortunately, the honors program offering full financial coverage for all non-tuition costs has ended - but will cover students before the Class of 2025. Beyond that, the additional costs will need to be covered by scholarships or other funds.
But for one lucky student, it all worked.
