Non-Resident Freshmen Scholarships
Fall 2021
Each year, Montana State University offers millions of dollars in merit scholarships and awards to non-resident freshmen who apply for admission. Learn more about various programs and opportunities for students below.
Test Optional
We know many students have been unable to take an ACT or SAT exam due to complications
surrounding COVID-19. Because of this, test scores are no longer required for scholarship consideration. Please note that other academic information, including cumulative GPA, is still
required. Review the requirements for programs of interest carefully to ensure you
have submitted everything required for consideration.
WUE is not stackable with Achievement Awards. Students will receive the award of greatest value, which is WUE. Please note, only recipients of awards will be notified. WUE recipients will automatically have their Achievement Award replaced.
Achievement Awards
Achievement Awards are automatic, merit-based scholarships based upon GPA. Award amounts will vary up to $40,000 (up to $10,000 per year renewable). These awards will be applied toward tuition only. All non-resident freshmen who submit an application for admission complete with self-reported high school GPA are automatically considered.
How to Apply:
1. Apply for Admission
You can apply online. Be sure to include your self-reported GPA on the High School Self Report Form.
Awards will be based on self-reported GPA (weighted or unweighted). Initial award packages will be sent to qualifying students starting in mid-November.
Apply early! These scholarships and awards may only be available for a limited time. It is essential to apply for admission as soon as possible. If you qualify, these scholarships will be automatically awarded when we have received your complete application (be sure to complete the section with self reported GPA). Scholarship recipients will be notified by mail.
Blue & Gold Awards
MSU is excited to announce our new Blue & Gold Scholarship Application for fall 2021 students. This application will give students an opportunity to apply for additional scholarship funding in addition to their Achievement Award. The deadline to apply for this opportunity is April 30, 2021.
Please note: the Blue & Gold Scholarship Application includes consideration for the WUE scholarship if you are from a qualifying state.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Awards
MSU will be offering a limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships to new freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2021. Students from eligible WUE states* that submit the Blue & Gold Scholarship Application by January 1st, 2021 will automatically be considered for WUE.
The final value for WUE at this time has not been finalized. WUE will equal 1.5 times the in-state tuition rate (see 2020-2021 rates for reference) which will not be determined until May at the Montana Board of Regents meeting. All recipients will be notified as soon as that value is out via email and updated on this site. WUE will be a greater value than any Achievement Award previously offered.
The Blue & Gold Scholarship application will be available online November 16th and the priority deadline for WUE scholarship consideration is January 1st, 2021**.
WUE is not stackable with Achievement Awards and we will award you the scholarship of greater value. Please note, only recipients of awards will be notified.
*WUE States include: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY and CNMI.
**Due to the high volume of WUE applications received by the January 1st priority deadline and high-value of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship, all WUE offers have been made for the Fall 2021 semester at this point. To date, MSU has received over 21,000 applications from non-resident students and has limited spots available for WUE students. The WUE Scholarship is MSU's second highest-value scholarship, therefore making this year's applicant pool the most competitive that MSU has seen. To help consider students for additional scholarship funding, all incoming first-year students are encouraged to complete the Blue & Gold Scholarship Application to be eligible for additional funding that would be added to their existing Achievement Award.
Please note: the Blue & Gold Scholarship Application includes consideration for the WUE scholarship
if you are from a qualifying state.
If you are awarded a renewable Achievement or WUE Award you must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, enroll for a minimum of 15 credits a semester, and maintain non-resident status and continuous enrollment to retain the award throughout your four years at MSU. MSU freshman scholarships and awards are available to those seeking undergraduate bachelor degree programs only.
