| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | February 12, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Cost | $6,450–$14,950 (2027 cycle) | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | $600 (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Financial aid | Need-based tuition discount: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. 10–80% off online tuition or 10–50% off San Francisco tuition; no full-ride scholarships; parents' income statements for the last 12 months are required. (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Fee waiver for students eligible for free or reduced lunch: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Granted to the extent funds are available. (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Expenses and aid conditions | Non-refundable deposit (counts toward tuition): $700. Due within 14 days of acceptance; the remaining tuition is charged 14 days after the deposit.; Need-based tuition discount: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. 10–80% off online tuition or 10–50% off San Francisco tuition; no full-ride scholarships; parents' income statements for the last 12 months are required. (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Fee waiver for students eligible for free or reduced lunch: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Granted to the extent funds are available. (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Eligibility | Unconfirmed — check official site | Grades 9–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grade 10 when applying; summer rising grade is one higher |
|---|
| Additional eligibility | Ages 14–17; Requirement: Must currently be in high school; not open to college students or other adults | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: Has not attended MFAA in the past | Residency: Missouri; Requirement: Open to students currently in grade 10 when applying; Requirement: Attend high school in Missouri or be homeschooled in Missouri |
|---|
| Session dates or duration | Catalog terms: 4 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts May 30, 2027; Ends June 12, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts June 13, 2027; Ends July 3, 2027; 3 weeks (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
|---|
| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Springfield, MO | Columbia, MO |
|---|
| Selection and application | Selection: Leangap reviews applicants for fit using motivation, initiative, collaboration, problem solving, skills, and impact. Each 2026 format was limited to 40 seats, but no applicant count or acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Parents' income statements for the last 12 months (financial aid applicants) | Selection: A panel of artists and arts educators adjudicates the complete application, essay, school evaluation, and discipline portfolio or audition. MFAA publishes no applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, or scoring weights on the official pages. Application materials: Essay of about 500 words; Portfolio (visual arts, creative writing), performance video (theatre, dance, vocal, instrumental) or audio files/scores (electronic music, composition) | Selection: School nomination allotments limit the pool, a statewide committee evaluates academic and qualitative criteria, and about 330 scholars are expected in 2027. MSA does not publish a current nomination count or acceptance rate. Application materials: Two letters of recommendation, at least one from a teacher; Two essays of 300-350 words |
|---|
| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21Source 6 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22 |
|---|