1. As used in this section, the following terms mean:
(1) "Approved institution" , any approved private institution, approved public institution, or approved virtual institution, as such terms are defined in section 173.1102 , that is located in this state, has been approved under 6 CSR 10- 2.140 , and has been approved to participate in the federal student financial assistance programs created under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended;
(2) "CGPA" , a student's cumulative grade-point average as calculated based on the policies of the student's approved institution as such policies are applied to other students in similar circumstances;
(3) "Department" , the department of higher education and workforce development;
(4) "Initial recipient" , a student who qualifies for initial financial assistance under section 173.1104 , has received an award under the access Missouri financial assistance program established in sections 173.1101 to 173.1107 , and has not received a STEM grant in any prior academic year;
(5) "Renewal recipient" , a student who qualifies for renewed financial assistance under section 173.1104 , has received an award under the access Missouri financial assistance program established in sections 173.1101 to 173.1107 , and has received a STEM grant;
(6) "Satisfactory academic progress" :
(a) For a student's grade-point average, a CGPA of at least two and one-half on a four-point scale or the equivalent on another scale; and
(b) For determinations of academic progress other than grade-point average, the institution's measures of a student's academic progress as otherwise determined by the approved institution's policies as applied to other students at the approved institution receiving assistance from federal student financial assistance programs created under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended;
(7) "STEM degree" , an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or certificate in a STEM field;
(8) "STEM field" , a field of study involving science, technology, engineering, or mathematics including, but not limited to:
(a) Agriculture and related sciences;
(b) Computer science;
(c) Information technology and information systems;
(d) STEM-related education;
(e) Engineering;
(f) Biological and biomedical sciences;
(g) Mathematics and statistics; and
(h) Physical sciences;
(9) "STEM grant" , a renewable award of one thousand five hundred dollars of financial assistance granted under this section.
2. Subject to appropriation, the department shall make available a STEM grant to a student of an approved institution who is an initial recipient or a renewal recipient and who has committed to a program of study that will result in a STEM degree at an approved institution as provided in this section. No student shall receive more than six thousand dollars of STEM grants under this section.
3. A renewal recipient may continue to receive a STEM grant as long as such recipient:
(1) Maintains satisfactory academic progress;
(2) Continues to meet eligibility criteria under the access Missouri financial assistance program established under sections 173.1101 to 173.1107 ; and
(3) Has not exceeded five semesters at an approved two-year institution or a total of ten semesters or fifteen quarters at an approved four-year institution or any combination of approved institutions.
4. No STEM grant shall be awarded under this section to a student who also received an award under the access Missouri financial assistance program after:
(1) A baccalaureate degree has been granted to the student;
(2) The hours or the equivalent to the hours required for a baccalaureate degree have been completed by the student; or
(3) The student has completed coursework equal to:
(a) One hundred fifty semester hours or the equivalent; or
(b) Two hundred twenty-five quarter hours or the equivalent.
5. The department may promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for the administration of this section. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010 , that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028 . This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2025, shall be invalid and void.
6. Under section 23.253 of the Missouri sunset act:
(1) The provisions of the new program authorized under this section shall automatically sunset six years after August 28, 2025, unless reauthorized by an act of the general assembly; and
(2) If such program is reauthorized, the program authorized under this section shall automatically sunset twelve years after the effective date of the reauthorization of this section; and
(3) This section shall terminate on September first of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the program authorized under this section is sunset.