MSU-Bozeman Offers One of Nation’s Best Scholarships

by Evelyn Boswell

02/19/98 BOZEMAN -- Montana State University-Bozeman offers one of the top scholarships in the nation, says The Student Guide to America’s Best College Scholarships: 1998-1999.

The Presidential Scholarship, MSU’s most prestigious scholarship, was one of 126 scholarships listed in the guidebook. The only scholarship from Montana, it is a merit scholarship based on academic achievement and personal qualities. It is given to as many as 20 incoming freshmen each year. Each Presidential Scholar receives annual tuition fee wavers and a minimum merit grant of $1,250 per year. Students may renew their awards for another three years if they maintain the required standards.

Recipients of the Presidential Scholarship must have a Grade Point Average of at least 3.75, an SAT score of 1,320 or more and an ACT score of at least 30.

Merit scholarships are considered the best scholarships, according to John Culler, publisher of the book.

"They are based on academic ability, leadership and service, not on financial need," he explained. "All qualified students are considered on their merit. Family income and assets are not involved in the selection process. Your family can make $1 million a year, and you are still eligible for consideration."

MSU’s scholarship was included in the book because it met eight requirements, according to the editors. It is awarded by merit only and not based on financial need. It doesn’t have to be repaid in any way. It is available to incoming, full-time freshmen, and is renewable for at least eight semesters or 12 quarters. It is worth at least half the annual cost for out-of-state residents to attend MSU. Recipients don’t have to live in any particular state or work in a certain field. Recipients don’t have to belong to an organization or have served in the military.

The Presidential Scholarship is also available to any U.S. citizen, the editors continued. It is administered by the school, with the money coming from institutional funds, endowments, or private foundation or corporation sources not related to any level of the government.

MSU was one of 93 colleges and universities listed in the book. The Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc. surveyed 1,658 four-year colleges and universities for "America’s Best College Scholarships." The top scholarships were chosen from the schools that responded to the surveys.

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