COVID-19 Testing options for Students
PLEASE NOTE: Due to decreases in COVID-19 funding from the Federal and State government, drive-through/walk-through testing is no longer available at Bobcat Stadium. Students are strongly encouraged to have and use at-home antigen-based test kits. These may be purchased at many pharmacies (including the MSU Student Health Partners pharmacy in Swingle) and reimbursed through insurance (up to 8 kits per person per month).
Montana State University offers a limited number of COVID-19 tests daily by appointment to students Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m (closed holidays and weekends). Schedule a test by visiting the patient portal.
MSU's COVID-19 Self-Checker can help students determine whether testing may be appropriate and where to go for a test.
Learn more about the symptoms of COVID-19.
Test results
Test results are typically available through the online patient portal within 30-60 minutes when run on our Quidel Sofia 2 antigen-based test system.
If you have tested positive on an at-home test kit, visit Gallatin County's website for guidance and to report your result.
Other testing resources, including PCR-based tests:
Community COVID-19 testing resources are available through the Gallatin City-County Health Department website.
Travel testing
COVID-19 travel testing is not offered at the MSU Student Testing Center, but may be obtained at Bozeman Healthby following the instructions at this link:https://www.bozemanhealth.org/about-us/covid-19-information/covid-19-travel-testing/.
At-home tests available at MSU Student Health Service Pharmacy
MSU Student Health Service Pharmacy has a limited supply of at-home covid tests available
for purchase. We will be happy to bill your insurance, without a prescription, for
these tests while supplies last. Please come to the pharmacy window, located at Door
#2 of the Swingle Health Building. Bring your insurance card or call ahead with billing
information.
If you are symptomatic, please call ahead with billing information and to arrange
pick up.
The MSU Student Health Service Pharmacy can be reached at 406-994-5498.
Over the counter (OTC) home tests are designed to be used:
- If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
- If it has been at least five days after you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Or if you're going to gather with a group of people, especially those at risk of severe illness or who may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations.
For more information on at-home testing, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s page about self-testing for COVID-19.
If an at-home test kit says you have COVID-19:
- Stay home and isolate yourself, following current CDC guidance.
- Report your test results to the Gallatin City-County Health Department. Additional information on how to report is available on the county's testing page.
- Get in touch with your health care provider to let them know about your test result.
- On-campus resident students:Contact the Student Housing office at 406-994-2661 to make arrangements to isolate yourself.
- Tell your close contacts that they have been exposed to the virus.
- If your illness becomes severe, seek emergency medical care immediately.
You've been tested. What comes next?
It may take some time for your test results to come back. What do you do in the meantime? What preparations can you make?
Last Updated: May 16, 2022