Montana Scholarships

Incoming first-year and transfer students from WUE-eligible Western states who are admitted to the University of New Mexico are automatically considered for the Western Undergraduate Exchange Plus program. Eligible students need a 3.0 GPA or 20 ACT (1030 SAT). WUE Plus reduces non-resident tuition to the New Mexico resident rate, with a value of up to $23,149 per year. The award is renewable for up to four years with 15 credits and a 2.5 GPA each fall and spring semester. No separate scholarship application is required, but applying by your admission deadline improves consideration.

Automatic WUE nursing award for incoming nonresident first-year students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents from a participating WUE state or territory, hold an unweighted GPA of 3.90 to 4.00, and are Pre-Nursing or Nursing majors. The scholarship covers 150% of resident tuition, saving about $16,339 per year for up to four years with full-time enrollment and a 3.00 renewal GPA. Construction Management, Radiological Science, alternative fee, and fully online majors are ineligible. Admission files must be complete by December 15 for fall.

Graduate fellowship for Native American students enrolled in a Montana tribe who are Montana residents and accepted into any graduate degree program at Montana State University. The award is $15,000 and applications are submitted through Cat Scholarships. MSU offers this fellowship alongside other Indigenous graduate funding such as Sloan SIGP and Montana INBRE. Eligible students should also complete the FAFSA; the December 1 priority filing date applies for need-based programs. Contact the Graduate School or Office of Financial Aid for application timing within Cat Scholarships.

Pride Foundation's scholarship program supports LGBTQ+ student leaders in the Northwest. Since 1993 it has awarded more than $10 million to over 2,600 students, and one application enters students into consideration for more than 60 scholarship funds. In the 2025 cycle the minimum total award was $7,500 and the average award was $8,670. Applicants must identify as LGBTQ+ or questioning and be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington (current resident, or lived in one of these states for at least a year within the last five years); they may study elsewhere. Any post-secondary path qualifies, including community college, four-year college, certificate and vocational/technical programs, and graduate or professional school. Citizenship is not checked. The application opens in October and closes in early January, with decisions in June.

Montana Community Foundation offers more than 50 competitive scholarships through an online portal opening January 1 and closing March 31 each year. Montana students take an eligibility quiz or apply directly with access codes from the scholarship directory; awards typically range from $500 to $5,000 with some renewable funds. Requirements vary by donor fund but commonly include Montana residency or graduation from a Montana high school, transcripts, essays, and references submitted electronically at grantinterface.com.

Automatic merit scholarship for Montana resident freshmen entering Montana State University who submit an admission application with cumulative high school GPA on the Self Report Form. Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year based on GPA tiers, renewable for four years and designated for tuition only. Test scores are not required for consideration. Recipients must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA, enroll in at least 15 credits per semester, keep Montana resident status, and remain continuously enrolled. Available only to students seeking their first undergraduate bachelor's degree.

Leadership scholarship program for invited Montana high school graduates who demonstrate academic, leadership, and career potential and are Pell Grant eligible. Scholars complete a mandatory Summer Success Academy before freshman year, receiving a $2,000 stipend plus college credit, then earn $4,000 per year for four years disbursed monthly for a total of $16,000 beyond Pell. Scholars commit to graduating in four years, satisfactory academic progress, and 10-15 hours weekly of mentoring and community development activities. Additional study-abroad support up to $3,000 may be available after the third year. By invitation only; invited students submit an online application with essay.

Bozeman Health Foundation scholarship for Montana State University students from Montana communities pursuing a business or accounting degree in the Jake Jabs College of Business. The $4,000 award is for sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are full-time students with overall GPA of 2.5 or higher and major GPA of 2.7 or higher. Applicants must be graduates of a Montana high school. Apply through the online application linked from the Jabs College scholarships page. Deadline is May 31, 2026 for the current cycle.

High school seniors or college students in the Dairy MAX region who have ties to the dairy industry may apply for Dairy MAX academic scholarships. Eligible applicants live in Colorado, southwest Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas, or Wyoming and are either a child of a dairy farmer, a child of a dairy farm employee at a checkoff-funding dairy, or an FFA or 4-H dairy show participant in junior or senior year of high school. Three $2,500 scholarships are awarded. Selection weighs scholastic achievement, leadership, and agricultural involvement. Applications are available on the sponsor site. Dairy MAX supports students continuing their education in agriculture across its multi-state territory.

Female NSPS student members enrolled in two- or four-year surveying or related degree programs who are legal residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming may apply for the $2,000 Cady McDonnell Memorial Scholarship, awarded in odd-numbered years only. One award is available. Submit an application, proof of residency, transcripts, three recommendations, and a personal letter through the NSPS Foundation scholarship application.