University of Central Missouri | 2024-25 Quick Guide
College is too expensive within reach
Many universities advertise “affordable” tuition, but we know that means something different to everyone. Here, it means you’ll benefit from costs lower than most Missouri colleges and the national average. Plus, we offer in-state tuition to 15 states and 94% of UCM undergraduates receive financial aid! Use our Scholarship Finder to match with hundreds of scholarships and grants so you can graduate with less debt. Want to talk it through with one of our expert financial aid advisors? No problem! Contact Student Financial Services at 660-543-8266 or find your specific financial aid counselor at ucmo.edu/contactsfs .
UCM’s Mule Grant covers any tuition and general fees remaining after federal, state and institutional grants and scholarships have been applied! ucmo.edu/mulegrant
UCM’s Dual Credit Scholarship ($1,000/year) is for incoming freshmen who have taken at least one dual credit course with UCM! ucmo.edu/dcs
• A minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA gets you admitted with no ACT!
• Already took the test? The higher your ACT score, the more money you earn!
AMOUNT GPA RANGE
$1,000 2.75 to 3.49
$1,500 3.50 to 3.69
$2,500 3.70 to 3.94
$3,000 3.95 to 4.0
$2,500 $1,500
$4,500 $1,000 $3,000
Have an ACT of 20 or below? See the TEST OPTIONAL table above.
The RED & BLACK SCHOLARSHIP is:
• Awarded automatically to eligible freshmen
• Guaranteed – no competition – if you qualify, you receive it!
• Renewable for up to eight semesters
Our one-of-a-kind OPEN OPTION program lets you explore for up to two semesters until you find the program for you without falling behind or losing time toward graduation!
Maybe you know exactly what you want to study – maybe you have no idea. Either way, UCM has a plan for you. From Aviation and Cybersecurity to Education and Graphic Design, we offer 150+ academic programs taught by expert faculty. With hands-on learning and innovative classes based on the latest industry trends, you’ll graduate prepared to take on the workforce.
Looking for an easy way to make friends, the comfort of safety, convenient access to delicious food and memories that will last a lifetime? Living on campus gives you all of that and more. Plus, you’re protected 24/7 by UCM’s Department of Public Safety with 20 uniformed police officers, a Student Assistant Foot patrol and Escort (SAFE) Team that patrols the campus at night to help prevent crime and offer walking escorts, and electronic locks on the exterior doors of all residential buildings. Living on campus gives you all of that and more (like free laundry!)
“My community advisors were the main reason I made friends. They would be like, ‘open your doors, keep your doors open.’ I would shout at people that would walk by and say, ‘Hey, how are you? Do you want to do something?’ One of my favorite things about Houts-Hosey Hall is the education floor. Everybody was in the same classes, so I was able to connect and build friendships that I still have today through that.”
Waymon Hollister
Public Relations major Omaha, NE
UCM is one of the few colleges in Missouri to offer the “suite” arrangement to every student! Suites are two rooms joined by a full bath, ensuring more privacy.
If you’re an upperclassman or graduate student, you can rent a furnished or unfurnished campus apartment. Apartment living at UCM is safe and affordable, and you’ll still be close to your classes and UCM’s exceptional facilities.
During your time at UCM, we want you to explore, grow your passions, meet new people and become the best version of yourself. There are endless ways to stay engaged on campus, from student organizations and Greek Life to athletics and intramurals. Boredom? We don’t know her.
“In high school I was really shy, very quiet. At UCM, I’ve been involved in committees, the president of organizations and the speaker for events on campus. UCM really helped me with that because it’s more intimate. Everyone knows each other and is open to meeting new people, very nonjudgmental. That’s definitely my biggest win, becoming a more confident person.”
Jordy Ortiz Rivas International Studies major Sedalia, MO
Warrensburg is just right
Ready to become a Warrensburger? There are many fond nicknames for The Burg and its inhabitants because you can’t help but love this charming city. Warrensburg is welcoming, supportive and proud to be the home of UCM. UCM’s award-winning, 1,561-acre main campus is located here, with a vibrant blend of historic buildings and state-of-the-art facilities. Kansas City is less than an hour away, where you can experience world-class arts and entertainment such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City Zoo, Chiefs games and more.
Did you know we have a second campus, too? Now you do. UCM - Lee’s Summit is in the Kansas City metro area at the Missouri Innovation Campus. There, we have undergraduate and graduate programs, an advanced nursing suite and simulation lab, extended reality studio and more. An Amtrak train and the university-run shuttle bus service connect the two campuses.
Ever wondered where the phrase “a dog is a man’s best friend” came from? If you guessed Warrensburg, you’d be right! Senator George Graham Vest won a court battle when he paid tribute to our famous canine resident, Old Drum, in 1870. POPULATION
20,000
Take classes anytime and anywhere with UCM Online and learn from the same expert faculty members who teach on campus!
FRESHMAN ADMISSIONS
There are a lot of things to consider when looking at colleges, and we’re so glad UCM has made your list. We make the admissions process easy!
Complete your application (for free) at ucmo.edu/apply.
Send your official transcript to processing@ucmo.edu.
Send your scores to UCM using 2272 (ACT) or 6090 (SAT).*
Submit your housing application (May 1 priority deadline).
File your FAFSA at fafsa.gov using UCM’s code 002454.
Apply for UCM Foundation scholarships at ucmo.edu/scholarshipfinder (Feb. 1 priority deadline).
Sign up for Orientation (May 1 priority deadline).
Pack your bags and prepare for the best years of your life!
*UCM is test-optional. Students applying with a 2.75 GPA or higher will be admitted without submitting an ACT or SAT test score. Students admitted as test-optional can receive up to a $3,000 Red & Black Scholarship based on GPA. A qualifying ACT or SAT test score is still required for students interested in the following:
• Direct Entry Nursing program
• Education majors (possible exemption from the MOGEA exam)
• Higher value and other automatic merit scholarships
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
Congratulations on being admitted to UCM! You’ve made a great choice (being the highly intelligent person you are, you already know that). Ok, we’re a little biased. Now that you’re officially a Mule, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. Don’t sweat it – we have helpful checklists so you can prepare for all of the fun headed your way. We can’t wait to see you on campus!
TRANSFER FINANCIAL AID
College is too expensive within reach
Many universities advertise “affordable” tuition, but we know that means something different to everyone. Here, it means you’ll benefit from costs lower than most Missouri colleges and the national average. Plus, we offer in-state tuition to 15 states and 94% of UCM undergraduates receive financial aid! We have many scholarships specifically for transfer students, so you can graduate with less debt.
PLEASE
• Courses for some specialized academic programs may charge an additional course and/or program fee.
• New transfer students with less than 48 UCM-accepted credit hours are required to live on campus.
UCM | TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIPS
Affordable tuition is just one of the many reasons 860+ students transfer to UCM each year. We also make it easy to find and apply for 650+ scholarships with UCM Scholarship Finder. The application portal will open on Sept. 15 and close March 15. For your greatest chance of being selected, complete your applications before the priority deadline of Feb. 1. See what you may qualify for at ucmo.edu/scholarshipfinder.
Don’t let out-of-state tuition keep you from studying at UCM! The UCM Out-of-State Scholarship waives the non-resident portion of fees for students in 15 states. Learn more at ucmo.edu/outofstate.
UCM offers the following scholarships specifically for transfer students:
There are a lot of things to consider when transferring to a new college, and we’re so glad UCM has made your list. We make the transfer admissions process easy!
Entering Spring 2025
Complete your application (for free) at ucmo.edu/apply.
Send your official transcript to processing@ucmo.edu.
Enroll in classes starting Oct. 21.
Attend a Transfer Visit Day | ucmo.edu/visit.
File or transfer your FAFSA at fafsa.gov using UCM’s code 002454.
Meet with your success advisor to build a class schedule.
Complete online or in-person orientation.
Select your housing option and meal plan at ucmo.edu/housing.*
*If living on campus
Entering Summer/Fall 2025
Complete your application (for free) at ucmo.edu/apply.
Send your official transcript to processing@ucmo.edu.
Enroll in classes starting March 17.
Attend a Transfer Visit Day | ucmo.edu/visit.
Apply for UCM Foundation scholarships at ucmo.edu/scholarshipfinder (Feb. 1 priority deadline).
File or transfer your FAFSA at fafsa.gov using UCM’s code 002454.
Meet with your success advisor to build a class schedule.
Complete online or in-person orientation.
Select your housing option and meal plan at ucmo.edu/housing.*
APPLY NOW ucmo.edu/transfer
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
We’re excited you’ve chosen to transfer to UCM! You’ve made a great choice (being the highly intelligent person you are, you already know that). Ok, we’re a little biased. Now that you’re officially a Mule, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. Don’t sweat it – we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re starting classes in the fall or spring, we have helpful checklists so you can prepare for all of the fun headed your way. We can’t wait to see you on campus! Fall classes begin Aug. 18, 2025! Spring classes begin Jan. 13, 2025!
Transferring is stressful simple
Transferring colleges shouldn’t be stressful, and UCM works hard to provide the resources you need for a smooth transition. You can complete your degree in Warrensburg, Lee’s Summit or online. Join the 860+ students who transfer to UCM each year!
COURSE EQUIVALENCY: We make it easy to search for the classes you’ve taken to find out how they may transfer to UCM.
TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION: Upload a copy of your transcripts at ucmo.edu/transfereval and we will evaluate them for you.
MISSOURI REVERSE TRANSFER: Earn your associate degree while pursuing your bachelor’s degree.
MILITARY CREDIT: We recognize the importance of your military training. Many schools only grant 30 credit hours of military training, but at UCM, we accept credit for credit. We apply all credit, whether specific or elective. If you have completed basic training, we provide you with 11 credit hours at UCM. Additional military training will be reviewed and evaluated by our faculty and staff. Learn more at ucmo.edu/military.
KC SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP
“I received UCM’s KC Scholars Scholarship. Without it, I either would not have been able to attend college or would have had to take out loans. It’s going to allow me to graduate without any debt.”
Gregory Biskinis
KC
Scholar
UCM Secondary Education major
The UCM Adult Learner Scholarship covers the cost of UCM tuition and general fees after all federal, state, institutional and other scholarships have been applied.
You can earn your degree for free through UCM’s partnership with KC Scholars! The UCM KC Scholars Scholarship covers any costs* remaining after the KC Scholars’ scholarship is applied to cover the full cost of attending UCM. It can be applied toward:
• Tuition
• General fees
• Housing
*Flight fees associated with UCM’s Aviation programs are not included.
• Meal plans
• Textbooks
DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM
One class multiple benefits
Enrolling in UCM’s Dual Credit program allows you to earn college credit while in high school. You need a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above to be eligible, and some courses may require an ACT score. So, what’s in it for you? We’re glad you asked.
• SAVE TIME.
Take a course once and have it count for high school and college credit.
• SAVE MONEY.
UCM’s dual credit courses cost 70% less than the same courses in college. The application fee and some course fees are also waived.
• PREPARE FOR COLLEGE.
Get a taste of college life and see what classes are really like.
• GET A HEAD START ON YOUR DEGREE. Knock out college credits now to graduate and land your dream job sooner.
• GAIN ACCESS TO UCM RESOURCES. Attend campus events with your UCM student ID and take advantage of our support services like free tutoring, advising and more.
UCM’s Dual Credit Scholarship is for incoming freshmen who have taken at least one dual credit course with UCM. It’s valued at $1,000 per year , and is renewable for up to six semesters!