Changes the definition of "qualified student" for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Michael Davis

Expands MESA eligibility to any Missouri resident elementary or secondary student not unlawfully present, removing income and prior-school criteria.

Referred: Emerging Issues(H)

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Missouri HB 2697 (2026) – Summary

Purpose

To modify the definition of a “qualified student” for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program (MESA), expanding eligibility criteria.

Key provisions and changes

Replaces the current definition of “qualified student” with a broader standard.

Current definition (before amendment):

A resident student eligible if the household income is at or below 300% of the income standard for free and reduced-price lunches, and the student meets at least one of the following:
Attended a public school as a full-time student for at least one semester in the previous twelve months,
Is eligible to begin kindergarten or first grade,
Is a sibling of a qualified student who received a scholarship grant in the previous school year and will receive one in the current year.

New definition (under the bill):

A resident elementary or secondary school student who is not an illegal alien (i.e., not illegally present in the U.S.) qualifies without needing the income-based and school-attendance/sibling criteria listed above.

Qualified school remains defined as:

An FPE (foundational private school) or other entities incorporated in Missouri that do not discriminate by race, color, or national origin, including charter schools, private schools, public schools, and virtual schools.

Who is affected

Students:

The eligibility pool expands to any Missouri resident elementary or secondary student who is not an illegal alien, removing the prior income-based threshold and specific enrollment/sibling criteria.

Schools:

Qualified schools eligible to participate in the MESA program remain the same (FPEs, charter/private/public/virtual schools meeting nondiscrimination standards).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative actions:

Prefiled: January 6, 2026
Read First Time: January 7, 2026
Read Second Time: January 8, 2026
Referred to Emerging Issues (H) committee: May 15, 2026

This bill proposes an amendment to Section 166.700, effectively redefining eligibility criteria within the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship program.

Potential impact (high-level)

Eligibility expansion:

By removing income-based eligibility and specific prior-school criteria, more students who are not illegal aliens could qualify for empowerment scholarships.

Access to scholarships:

More residents may gain access to scholarship funds to attend alternative schools (charter, private, public, or virtual) that participate in the program, subject to other program requirements and funding.

Oversight and administration:

The core framework and definitions of participating entities remain intact; the primary change is the broadened eligibility for qualified students.

Note: The summary reflects the bill’s text and stated intent as introduced. If enacted, further implementing rules or agency guidance could clarify administrative details, funding mechanisms, and any remaining eligibility steps.