Access Missouri, a scholarship fund that Gov. Jay Nixon slashed by more than half in budget cuts last month, will pay a maximum of $950 to students attending four-year public colleges, according to the Missouri Department of Higher Education. That's down from nearly $1,700 last year.

Students at four-year private schools will get $1,900 at most, while those at two-year public schools will get up to $275.

The cuts could have been worse. Nixon reduced the need-based scholarship fund to $32 million from $82 million. But the state's student loan authority kicked in $30 million to use for scholarships.

While the awards are shrinking, the number of eligible students has soared to more than 102,000 this year, compared with 86,000 last year, education officials said.

Students who receive support from Bright Flight, which targets the state's top students, are still awaiting word on their scholarships.