Montana State University awards millions of dollars in scholarships and waiver awards to new students who enter in the fall of each year. You might qualify for some of this money based on your academic record, financial need, group affiliation, or a combination of the three.

Freshman Scholarships and Awards
MSU will be offering a LARGE number of scholarships and awards to new freshmen who enter MSU in the fall of 2010. See the links below for details.

Non-Resident Freshman Achievement Awards
Up to $60,000 ($15,000 per year renewable) will be awarded to non-resident freshmen entering MSU in the fall of 2010. All non-resident achievement awards are renewable!

Resident Freshman Premier Scholarships
Up to $10,000 ($2,500 per year renewable) will be awarded to Montana freshmen entering MSU in the fall of 2010. Our new MSU Premier Scholarship Program for fall 2010 will provide more money to more Montana freshmen!

Due to overwhelming demand, the Montana State University Premier Scholarship program for fall 2010 new students was suspended effective 4/12/10. If you would like to be considered for need based assistance, please complete your FAFSA and have it sent to MSU.

MSU Distinction Awards for new non-resident Freshmen entering in the fall of 2010
Montana State University will be offering a number of Distinction Awards to new non-resident freshmen who will enter MSU in the fall of 2010. To be considered, students must print, complete and mail the Distinction Scholarship Application (below) to MSU Admissions, P.O. Box 172190, Bozeman, MT 59717 as soon as possible.

There are two versions of the Distinction Scholarship Application:

• This Distinction Scholarship Application can be printed, and filled out either by hand or with a typewriter, and then mailed in.
• This Distinction Scholarship Application can be filled out electronically, and then printed and mailed in.

These awards will be targeted toward non-residents who do not meet our regular Achievement Award parameters. Leadership experience, activities, honors and financial need will be considered. These Distinction awards will not be available to those who are offered Achievement Awards. Award amounts will vary from $500 (one time) to $4,000 ($1,000 per year renewable). These awards will be applied toward tuition only.

Distinction Award winners will be notified by mail. Only recipients will be notified.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Awards (for freshman only)
A limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Awards will be available to new freshmen for the 2010 academic year. Only legal residents of the following states may be considered for WUE Scholarships at Montana State University in Bozeman: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Fall 2010 Freshman WUE awards are determined on the basis of test score.

* For Fall 2010, MSU Achievement Awards will be based upon ACT composite scores and/or total SAT scores (Math, Critical Reading and Writing).

^§ Awards (WUE or Achievement Awards) at these levels may be adjusted in Architecture (Environmental Design) and Media Theatre Arts (Motion Picture/Video/Theatre and Photography) after the first year. See http://www.montana.edu/admissions/scholarships.shtml#sch for details.

The first 120 freshmen who apply for admission for the fall of 2010 and meet the parameters above will be offered this award which is worth more then $30,000 over a four year period. WUE award recipients will be billed at a tuition rate which is only 150% of the resident tuition. New freshmen may retain their WUE Award for up to four academic years (8 semesters) as long as they maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and are continuously enrolled as a full time WUE student with the exception of students in Architecture and Film & Photography (see below).

Achievement Awards and WUE** in High-Demand Programs
Montana State University offers a number of programs for which student interest exceeds the capacity of the programs. These programs are Architecture (including Environmental Design) and Film & Photography (Motion Picture/Video/Theatre and Photography). The number of incoming students is not restricted, but because of our commitment to maintaining quality in these programs, we restrict the number of the majors after the first year using appropriate measures of student performance—called gates. The detailed requirements for each program are described in the course catalog for those majors.

WUE scholarships and achievement awards at the $5,000, $6,000, and $7,500 per year levels are not available to students once they have passed the academic gates in these high-demand majors. However, students who were receiving these higher level awards will still be eligible for the $4,000 per year achievement award.

** Participating States in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Transfer Scholarships and Awards
MSU will be offering a limited number of scholarships and awards to new transfer students who enter MSU in the fall of 2010. See the links below for details.

Non-Resident Transfer Achievement Award
Up to $15,000 will be awarded to new non-resident transfers entering MSU in the fall of 2010.

Resident Transfer Premier Scholarships
Up to $1,500 will be awarded to new resident transfers entering MSU in the fall of 2010.

Due to overwhelming demand, the Montana State University Premier Scholarship program for fall 2010 new transfer students was suspended effective 2/5/10. If you would like to be considered for need based assistance, please complete your FAFSA and have it sent to MSU by 3/1/10.

Other Scholarship Programs

The Presidential Scholarships
The Presidential Scholarships are Montana State University's most prestigious freshman awards, recognizing academic achievement as well as special personal qualities. Forty finalists will be interviewed on campus, and all finalists will be offered at least a renewable tuition waiver starting in the Fall of 2010, worth $20,000 for Montana residents, and $60,000 for non-residents. Up to twenty will be awarded the Presidential Scholarship, which includes a generous annual stipend along with the tuition waiver. Scholars who maintain the required academic standards may expect to have their awards renewed for four years. Presidential Scholars also receive admission to the Honors Program. A cumulative GPA of 3.75 and a composite score of 30 on the ACT or 2000 on the SAT (all 3 scores) are the expected norms for applicants. The Presidential Scholarship application deadline for fall 2010 awards is January 5, 2010.

Students may also be eligible for admissions to the University Honors Program (honors@montana.edu). We encourage you to consider applying to this excellent academic program. For an application form click here.

Scholarships for Montana students awarded by the Montana University System
A number of scholarships are available to Montana residents and are awarded through the Montana University System. These awards include MUS Honor Scholarships, Honor Scholarship for National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists, and Community College Honor Scholarships. See this link for further details. http://www.mgslp.state.mt.us./index.php?module=content§ion=3&subsection=13&page=37

College and Departmental New Freshman and Transfer Scholarships
Be sure to check the website of the college or department where you plan to declare your major. There may be freshman or transfer scholarships available. If scholarships are need-based, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to March 1.

Here are links to College and Departmental scholarship information:

College of Ag - http://ag.montana.edu/students/scholarships.htm
College of Arts and Architecture
     Architecture: http://www.arch.montana.edu/scholarship.htm
     Art: http://www.montana.edu/art/forms/HighSchoolScholarship.pdf
Media & Theatre Arts - http://mta.montana.edu/docs/scholarships.html
Department of Music - http://www.montana.edu/music/files/scholarship_info2.html
College of Education, Health and Human Development - http://www.montana.edu/ehhd/html/scholarshipinfo.html
College of Engineering - http://www.coe.montana.edu/scholarships.html
College of Letters & Science - http://www.montana.edu/lettersandscience/students_scholarships.html
Division of Graduate Education - http://www.montana.edu/wwwdg/fellowships.shtml
University Studies - http://www.montana.edu/wwwgs/scholarshipinfo.html

Audition/Portfolio Review Scholarships
Some scholarship awards are available through music and theatre auditions, art and photography portfolio review, and screening of videotapes and films. For specific details in these areas, contact the department directly: Music: (406) 994-3561; Film & Photography (406) 994-2484; School of Art (406) 994-4501.

National Merit Scholarships
Students enter annual competition for Merit Scholarships as juniors by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). In September of the participant's senior year, approximately 15,000 are named Merit Program Semifinalists. Only Semifinalists continue in the competition, and they must qualify as Finalists in order to be considered for Merit Scholarships. To be a Finalist, each Semifinalist must meet a number of additional requirements that include being fully endorsed and recommended for Merit Scholarships consideration by the high school principal, submitting SAT scores that confirm their earlier PSAT/NMSQT scores, providing evidence of very high academic performance throughout secondary school, and giving information about their activities and accomplishments outside the classroom. College-sponsored Merit Scholarship recipients are chosen by officials of the sponsor college from among Finalists who report to National Merit Scholarship Corporation that the institution is their first choice. Winners selected by the college must have applied to that institution and be considered admissible by college officials. College-sponsored scholarships are not transferable. Montana State University in Bozeman is proud to sponsor Merit Scholarships each year. Students are eligible for a minimum of $750/year and up to a maximum of $2,000/year depending on financial need. College-sponsored Merit Scholarships require full-time attendance and are renewable for up to four years of under graduate study. Contact your high school counselor for more information.

Native American Scholarships
Both need-based and academic scholarships are awarded to qualified Native American students. For need-based scholarships, applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and submit it to the processing center prior to March 1, 2010. For academic scholarships (not need-based) applicants should contact the Center for Native American Studies, P.O. Box 172340, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717- 2340, (406) 994-3881.

Montana Indian Tuition Waiver
The Montana Indian Tuition Waiver is available to Montana residents who are at least one-fourth (1/4) enrolled with a federally recognized tribe and demonstrate financial need. For more information contact the MSU Office of Financial Aid at (406) 994-2845. Other funding opportunities for Native Americans can be found in the Native American College Funding Guide and the Higher Education Scholarship Opportunities for Native Americans brochure (pdf).

Native American Non-Resident Tribal Homelands Scholarship Program
Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana announces a new "Tribal Homelands" Program that will allow a limited number of eligible Native American Students to qualify for a waiver of approximately $10,000 per year. THSP is open to eligible non-resident Native American new freshmen and transfer students who are interested in attending MSU in the Fall of 2010 and whose tribal affiliation once called the Montana area their "Homelands." For further information see our Tribal Homelands Scholarship worksheet or contact Megan Somers - MSU Minority Representative; megan.somers@montana.edu; 1-888-MSU-CATS, direct 406-994-1983.

Athletic Scholarships
In addition to the University Admissions Standards, athletes must meet NCAA Big Sky requirements and MSU requirements for athletic financial assistance. Contact Intercollegiate Athletics, P.O. Box 173380, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-3380, (406) 994- 4221 for information about athletic opportunities.

Armed Forces Scholarships
ROTC Scholarships are available for both incoming high school students and current university students that have a need for a scholarship to complete their undergraduate degree or master's degree. Scholarships range from full 4 year scholarships down to 2 year scholarships, and guarantee a career in an exciting and cutting edge profession. All scholarships pay for full tuition and mandatory fees, for both resident and non-resident students, a yearly book allowance and a tax-free monthly stipend to defray the cost of living. Students must meet basic eligibility requirements. For further information, contact the MSU Army ROTC Department at armyrotc@montana.edu or (phone 406-994-5476) or the MSU Air Force ROTC Department at afrotc@montana.edu (phone 406-994-4022).

Yellow Ribbon Program
The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. The institution can contribute up to 50% of those expenses and VA will match the same amount as the institution for 100% eligible Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans’.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill pays up to the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition and fees. You may have tuition and fees that exceed that amount if you are attending a private institution, graduate school or attending in an out-of-state status. If you are enrolled at a Yellow Ribbon participating institution and the tuition and fees exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition or fees, additional funds may be available for your education program without an additional charge to your entitlement.

Spring or Summer Semester Scholarships for New Students
New students applying for spring or summer admission can also receive a new student scholarship, but it is not automatic. Students in this situation must contact the Scholarship staff within Financial Aid Services for scholarship consideration.

Please note that if a student is delaying admission to attend another university, they will be considered transfer students and will qualify for the transfer scholarship program.

General information about scholarships and scholarship resources for all students can be found online at: http://www.montana.edu/wwwfa/scholarships.html