Jefferson City News

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has partnered with Odyssey to launch the Missouri Close the Gap Grant program. This initiative provides a one-time grant of up to $1,500 for eligible parents or guardians residing in Missouri to cover certain educational expenses. Applications are now open and must be submitted by October 25, 2023.

To qualify, students must reside in Missouri and be enrolled in grades K-12 at a public school district or charter school within the state. The allocation of funds will prioritize families whose income is below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, as stipulated by state statute. Should funds remain after this group is addressed, families at or above this income threshold may also receive grants.

"Close the Gap is another way to support our mission to provide students access to opportunities," stated Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. "In partnership with Odyssey, we are providing families a platform to search for and purchase the resources, tools, and enrichment their student needs to be successful inside and outside of the classroom."

Joseph Connor, founder and CEO at Odyssey added: "Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, and Odyssey will provide Missouri families and students with convenient and modern technology to quickly and easily access funds to get what they need to succeed." He emphasized that "the pandemic brought on unimaginable challenges for our students and their learning. Missouri’s Close the Gap Program will help support the ongoing efforts to accelerate learning and get students back on track."

Applications for the Close the Gap Grant can be completed on Odyssey's website where families can also access an online marketplace for educational resources. Parents or guardians must create an account with Odyssey to apply. If automated systems cannot verify income level or residency, additional documentation may be required.

The grant covers various educational expenses including instructional materials, tutoring services, academic camps during summer or day sessions, computer equipment, internet connectivity services, fees for courses or textbooks, online academic apps or subscriptions, educational programs before or after school hours as well as arts-related camps.