Navigate the links below to explore frequently asked questions and resources. There are different funding opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander graduate students accepted into a graduate program at Montana State. Please use the links to learn about specific eligibility.

 

 YES.  The American Indian tuition waiver is available for students who:

 

  1. Are eligible for financial need-based aid (does not need to be grant eligible) determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which should be ideally completed before March 1st of each year.

  2. Can show documentation of one quarter or higher blood quantum for a member of a non-Montana tribe (waiver is not limited to Montana tribes), or if member of a Montana tribe submit Tribal membership (does not have to be one quarter blood, but does have to be a member of a Montana tribe).

  3. Are a resident of the State of Montana

  4. Receive full (vs. provisional) acceptance into graduate degree program at MSU (non-degree programs are ineligible).

 

Note: Tuition waivers are for tuition only and do not include fees.  To process waivers please be sure that you have submitted all requested documentation and addressed all open requirements.

YES. The Tribal Homeland Scholarship Waiver (Non-Resident) is an award that waives the out-of-state portion of the tuition and allows the student to pay at the resident tuition rate. It is available for students who:
  1. Are eligible for financial need-based aid (does not need to be grant eligible) determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which should be ideally completed before March 1st of each year.
  2. Can show membership (does not have to have one quarter blood or higher) or lineage to a tribe whose ancestors once called Montana home (some historical connection to Montana). See the financial aid website for a list of eligible tribes. However, if a student is from a tribe not on the list and the student can make a case for his or her tribe then there is an appeal process.
  3. Receive full (vs. provisional) acceptance into graduate degree program at MSU (non-degree programs are ineligible).
 

The waiver will prorate according to the student’s credit load. To be eligible for federal financial aid, a student needs to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours or higher in an approved degree or certificate program.

To remain eligible, a student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress according to the policy of the Office of Financial Aid. As explained in this policy, the following Graduate Maximum Credit Hour Limits** apply:

 

Non-Degree Graduate 60 Cumulative graduate credits
Master's Degree 60 cumulative graduate credits
Doctoral Degree 120 cumulative graduate credits

 

** Measurement is based on cumulative graduate credits attempted.  Master’s degree credits are included in the doctoral student limit.

 

 

 
For further information visit theOffice of Financial Aid Services website.

Review these specific funding opportunities for Indigenous graduate students:

Sloan Indigenous* Graduate Partnership (SIGP) program (American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander) SIGP students accepted into eligible graduate programs in STEM, award of $20,000-40,000

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Native American Graduate Fellowship: all degrees; enrolled in MT tribe; MT resident; award of $15,000; apply through Cat Scholarships

Montana INBRE: Graduate research fellowships for biomedical, social and behavioral health sciences

American Indian College Fund

 

Note: Applicants should also reach out to their graduate program coordinators and/or faculty advisor to inquire about funding.

See the following funding sites, available both through MSU and externally:

Graduate School Funding and Fellowships

Hopa Mountain Native Science Fellows

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) scholarships

NW NARCH Research Support Fellowships for American Indian/Alaska Native Graduate Students in the Biomedical and Social Sciences

Pathways to Science (REUs, UG, Grad, Postdoc, webinars)

American Indian Graduate Center
Also visit the Native American Resource Directory for a complete overview of resources, including external funding sources.