Scholarships at Montana State University

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.

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.

College-sponsored Merit Scholarship for National Merit Scholarship Finalists who select Montana State University as their sponsor college. MSU in Bozeman sponsors Merit Scholarships each year through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation; students enter the competition as juniors via the PSAT/NMSQT and must advance to Finalist status. Awards range from $750 to $2,000 per year depending on financial need, require full-time attendance, and are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study. Finalists must apply to MSU, be considered admissible, and report MSU as their first-choice institution. Contact your high school counselor for NMSC process details.

Highly competitive WUE scholarship for new first-year non-resident students from eligible western states enrolling at Montana State University in fall 2026. Value equals 1.5 times the in-state tuition rate; the Fall 2025 award discounted approximately $21,000 off non-resident tuition and exceeds any Achievement Award. Limited to roughly 1,000 offers annually. Applicants must be admitted, have minimum 3.0 GPA, complete the Cat Scholarships general application, and submit the supplemental WUE application by January 8. Recipients are notified in February. Renewable with 2.5 GPA, 15 credits per semester, and non-resident status.