Scholarship Opportunities

Cat Scholarships is MSU's Online Scholarship Application System designed to connect students to scholarships or undergraduate research opportunities across campus using one application.

The Office of Return to Learn processes R2L Scholarships through the General Application in Cat Scholarships. After you have completed the General Application, you will automatically be matched to ALL scholarships you are eligible for, including the R2L Scholarship.

  

Apply early for priority consideration.

• Click “Sign in” and use your NetID to login.
• Answer each question in detail to apply for all available funding.

• After submitting the General Application, you will be automatically matched to all scholarships for which you are eligible, based on the information provided.
• Some scholarships may required additional information or additional steps in their application process. However, the R2L Scholarship does not require any additional information.

 

• Your NetID is what you will use to log into Cat Scholarships, Brightspace (D2L), MyInfo, and MSU's Secure Wireless network.
• To find your NetID, go to:
  • montana.edu > Student > My Info > Claim/Reclaim NetID > Enter your MSU ID (GID) > Enter your birthdate (MM/DD/YYYY) > Claim your Net ID and reset your password.
• Click here to reset your password if you already know your NetID.

The Return to Learn Scholarship was created to help students return to school after a year or more away, and it is designed to help students improve both their academic performance and career focus. Scholarship recipients will have unlimited access to AYCSS resources: Career coaches, success advisors, free tutoring, financial coaches, and more.

The Office of Return to Learn offers two categories of scholarships: Merit- and Circumstance-based.  All returning students are encouraged to apply.

• Scholarships will be applied directly to the student's account.
• Scholarship awards may be up to $2,000 total (award amounts will vary).
• Scholarships are for one academic year (Fall-Spring/Spring-Fall).
• Applicant must be seeking his/her first undergraduate Bachelor's Degree.
• Applicant must be returning to MSU after an absence of at least one academic year (two semesters).
• Applicant must be enrolled in and maintain at least 15 credit hours during the awarded semester. 
  • Fewer than 15 credit hours may be considered upon review by the scholarship committee.

Scholars must:

1. Be enrolled in and maintain at least 15 credit hours for the semester (unless prior approval received for fewer credits).
2. Attend the R2L Scholar Orientation, scheduled at the beginning of each semester.
3. Meet with a R2L Advisor twice during the semester to discuss effective practices for academic success. This will include developing an individualized Academic Success and Career Plan.
4. Follow the Academic and Career Success Plan developed during your initial meeting with an R2L Advisor. The requirements may include but are not limited to:
1. Two meetings with a Career Coach and two meetings with a Financial Coach.
2. Meeting with Faculty, Academic Advisors, and/or Success Advisors.
3. Attendance at workshops or events that will enhance your educational experience (these can be attended in lieu of one of the career or financial coach meetings).
5. Pass all courses and achieve at least a 3.0 semester GPA.

Scholars must:

1. Be enrolled in and maintain at least 15 credit hours for the semester (unless prior approval received for fewer credits).
2. Meet with a R2L Advisor once during the semester to review their individualized Academic Success and Career Plan.
3. Follow the Academic and Career Success Plan developed during your meeting with an R2L Advisor. The requirements may include but are not limited to:
1. One meeting with a Career Coach and one meeting with a Financial Coach.
2. Meeting with Faculty, Academic Advisors, and/or Success Advisors.
3. Attendance at workshops or events that will enhance your educational experience (these can be attended in lieu of one of the career or financial coach meetings).
4. Pass all courses and achieve at least a 3.0 semester GPA.