Apply online at montana.edu/apply
Montana State University will be offering millions of dollars in merit scholarships and awards to non-resident freshmen who apply for admission for the fall of 2023. You can find our scholarship information online at: montana.edu/scholarships.
Skip to Resident Freshman Scholarship information.
Non-Resident Freshman
Achievement Awards
Achievement Awards are automatic, merit-based scholarships based upon GPA and test scores. Award amounts will vary up to $48,000 (up to $12,000 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.
To be eligible, you must complete the following as soon as possible:
- Apply for admission to Montana State University. Apply online at montana.edu/apply. Be sure to include your self-reported GPA.
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.
Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship at Montana State University, recognizing academic excellence and demonstrated potential for leadership and service. Up to twenty-four such scholarships will be awarded to freshmen entering Montana State University each fall. The Presidential Scholarship includes a full tuition waiver and a generous stipend. Recent Presidential Scholars have gone on to receive such renowned awards as the Goldwater, Truman, Rhodes and Mitchell Scholarships.
Visit montana.edu/honors for an application. Those who apply for the Presidential Scholarship are automatically considered for the University Honors College. The application deadline is 5 p.m. MST on December 2, 2022.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
MSU will be offering a limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships to new freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2023.
The final value for WUE at this time has not been finalized. WUE will equal 1.5 times the in-state tuition ratewhich will not be determined until May at the Montana Board of Regents meeting. All recipients will be notified as soon as that value is available via email and updated on this site. WUE will be a greater value than any Achievement Award previously offered.
The WUE Scholarship application is available on CatScholarshipsand the deadline for WUE scholarship consideration is January 3rd, 2023**. For detailed application instructions, please visit our WUE Application Instructions pages here.
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.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
MSU aims to make a college education affordable. Be sure to file your FAFSA to apply for federal grants, student and parent loans and work-study so that we can best meet your financial needs. MSU’s priority filing date is December 1, 2022. Filing the FAFSA by this date will give you priority consideration for all financial assistance programs at Montana State University. The MSU school code is 002532. The FAFSA Application can be found at fafsa.gov.
Making MSU Affordable
Freshman 15
At MSU, tuition doesn’t cost a penny more after you’ve registered for 12 credits in a semester. By using a flat rate tuition model, students can take 12+ credits without an additional cost while staying on track with a four year graduation plan. Visit montana.edu/freshman15 to view your potential savings.
Work on Campus
Working on campus at Montana State University offers great opportunities to make friends, learn new skills and earn extra cash for everything from textbooks to tuition. Plus, the convenience of working at MSU means you’ll never be far from your residence hall or classes. Benefits can include free Bobcat gear, flexible scheduling and even early move-in dates. Check out MSU job opportunities online at montana.edu/comeworkwithus.
Office of Financial Education
The Office of Financial Education provides resources to MSU students to help them gain financial independence and learn techniques to achieve their life goals. Students learn to tackle debt management and sound budgeting skills through one-on-one financial coaching, workshops and events and informational materials. Visit montana.edu/aycss/financialedu to learn more.
Payment Plans
MSU knows paying for college can be daunting, so an
interest-free payment plan is available to students who cannot pay their entire tuition bill in one lump sum. Instead of paying the bill in full, qualified applicants may pay their bill in four installments. Students are encouraged to visit
montana.edu/ubs/studentaccounts to learn more.
Estimate Costs
MSU strives to make a world-class education accessible and affordable. Interested in what your merit scholarship opportunity might be? Visit our Merit Scholarship Calculator at montana.edu/meritcalculator for an early estimate of your Achievement Award offer.
Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
- Nonresident Student Tuition/Fees $29,604
- Room & Board $11,300
- Books/Supplies $1,450
- Nonresident Student Total Estimated Cost $42,354
As of printing date. Estimated costs may be adjusted. See details at montana.edu/expenses.
Resident Freshman
MSU Premier Scholarship Program
Montana State University will offer millions of dollars in scholarships and financial aid to talented Montana freshmen who apply for admission for the fall of 2023. Many scholarships will be awarded through the MSU Premier Scholarship Program. These awards will be targeted toward Montana freshmen who demonstrate academic promise based upon grade point average. You can find our scholarship information online at: montana.edu/scholarships.
To be eligible, you must complete the following as soon as possible:
- Apply for admission to Montana State University. You can apply online at montana.edu/apply.
Be sure to include your self-reported GPA on the High School Self Report Form.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.
All Premier Scholarships are designated for tuition only. Students awarded renewable Premier Scholarships must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater, enroll for a minimum of 15 credits per semester and maintain resident status and continuous enrollment to retain the scholarship throughout their four years at MSU. MSU freshman scholarships and awards are available to those seeking undergraduate bachelor degree programs only.
Presidential Scholarship
The Presidential Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship at Montana State University, recognizing academic excellence and demonstrated potential for leadership and service. Up to twenty-four such scholarships will be awarded to freshmen entering Montana State University each fall. The Presidential Scholarship includes a full tuition waiver and a generous stipend. Recent Presidential Scholars have gone on to receive such renowned awards as the Goldwater, Truman, Rhodes and Mitchell Scholarships.
Visit montana.edu/honors for an application. Those who apply for the Presidential Scholarship are automatically considered for the University Honors College. The application deadline is 5 p.m. MST on December 2, 2022.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
MSU strives to make a college education affordable for all Montana residents. Be sure to file your FAFSA to apply for federal and state grants, student and parent loans and work-study so that we can best meet your financial needs. MSU’s priority filing date is December 1, 2022. Filing the FAFSA by this date will give you priority consideration for all financial assistance programs at Montana State University. The MSU school code is 002532. The FAFSA Application can be found at fafsa.gov.
Making MSU Affordable
Freshman 15
At MSU, tuition doesn’t cost a penny more after you’ve registered for 12 credits in a semester. By using a flat rate tuition model, students can take 12+ credits without an additional cost while staying on track with a four year graduation plan. Visit montana.edu/freshman15 to view your potential savings.
Work on Campus
Working on campus at Montana State University offers great opportunities to make friends, learn new skills and earn extra cash for everything from textbooks to tuition. Plus, the convenience of working at MSU means you’ll never be far from your residence hall or classes. Benefits can include free Bobcat gear, flexible scheduling and even early move-in dates. Check out MSU job opportunities online at montana.edu/comeworkwithus.
Office of Financial Education
The Office of Financial Education provides resources to MSU students to help them gain financial independence and learn techniques toachieve their life goals. Students learn to tackle debt management and sound budgeting skills through one-on-one financial coaching, workshops and events and informational materials. Visit
montana.edu/aycss/financialedu to learn more.
Payment Plans
MSU knows paying for college can be daunting, so an interest-free payment plan is available to students who cannot pay their entire tuition bill in one lump sum. Instead of paying the bill in full, qualified applicants may pay their bill in four installments. Students are encouraged to visit montana.edu/ubs/studentaccounts to learn more.
Cat Scholarships
Some of the colleges and departments at Montana State University offer scholarships to incoming students. Explore the opportunities that may be available to you at montana.edu/admissions/scholarships/departmental. The Cat Scholarship application opens on November 1st and has a priority deadline of February 1st.
As Montana’s land-grant institution,
Montana State strives to provide Montana students with an affordable, world-class education. Interested in what your merit scholarship opportunity might be? Visit our Merit Scholarship Calculator at montana.edu/meritcalculator for an early estimate of your Premier Scholarship offer.
You may be eligible for additional need-based aid; visit the
Real Deal cost calculator at montana.edu/realdeal for your best estimate of what an MSU education would cost after your scholarships and financial aid.
Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance
- MT Resident Tuition/Fees $7,726
- Room & Board $11,300
- Books/Supplies $1,450
- MT Resident Total Estimated Cost $20,476
As of printing date. Estimated costs may be adjusted. See details at montana.edu/expenses.
FAQs
Scholarships - Undergraduate Admissions | Montana State University? ›
Up to twenty-four such scholarships will be awarded to freshmen entering Montana State University each fall. The Presidential Scholarship includes a full tuition waiver and a generous stipend.
Does Montana State give full rides? ›Up to twenty-four such scholarships will be awarded to freshmen entering Montana State University each fall. The Presidential Scholarship includes a full tuition waiver and a generous stipend.
What GPA do you need to get into Montana? ›Earn at least a 2.5 high school GPA; or. Rank in the top half of the school's graduating class; or. Earn an ACT composite score of 22 or higher, or SAT total score of 1120 or higher (exception: MSU‐Northern: ACT score of 20, SAT score of 1050).
What is a premier scholarship? ›Premier Scholarships
The most academically competitive students admitted to the first-year class may be considered for Premier Scholarships. Additional information may be required. Visit each respective scholarship page for more information about the selection process and deadlines.
Montana Treasure State First Generation Scholarship
This award is valued at $1,500 per year and is renewable for four years ($6,000 total value).
Full-ride scholarships are awarded to only about 0.1% of students (Wignall, 2021). Nearly just as rare are full-tuition scholarships, which are awarded to only 1.5% of students (ThinkImpact, 2021). A regular high school student may have the qualifications for as many as 50 to 100 scholarships (Dickler, 2021).
What are the chances of getting a full ride? ›Unfortunately, the reality is that many students who more than meet all of the requirements for a full scholarship will not get it. In fact, only 0.1% of students get a full-ride per year.
Is a 4.37 a good GPA? ›Students with a 4.3 GPA have a great chance of getting into the top-ranked colleges. The national average GPA is estimated to be around 3.0 GPA. Almost 50% of the national universities accept candidates with a GPA above 3.0.
What is the lowest GPA you can have to get into? ›Unofficially, 2.0 is the lowest GPA accepted into a standard college, so while there's a chance that college admission is possible, it's not likely at more than a few institutions.
Is 4.7 GPA good in America? ›So, is a 4.7 GPA good? The national average GPA is around 3.0, so a 4.7 GPA is well above the national average. However, keep in mind that the 3.0 national average represents the average GPA of all students, not just those applying to universities.
What are the two most common scholarships? ›
Leadership and academic scholarships are the two most common types of scholarships awarded by colleges. A leadership scholarship is awarded for participation in school and extra-curricular activities, as well as for academic excellence.
What is the Queen scholarship? ›The Queen's Scholarship was an annual education scheme introduced by the colonial government in 1885 to enable promising students in Singapore and Malaya to enrol at a British university.
What are two types of scholarships you can receive? ›There are primarily two kinds of scholarships: private and institutional.
What is the Montana impact scholarship? ›Individual amounts will range from $500 to $5,000 per year. The scholarships are renewable for three additional years as long as students maintain the conditions above and meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards.
What is Patriot scholarship? ›Empowering U.S. Army Student Veterans
The Patriot Scholarship is offered exclusively to U.S. Army veterans, and is named after Raytheon Technology's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
Name of Scholarship: Honor Society Silver Level Membership Scholarship. Description: This scholarship seeks to reward an ambitious Honor Society student who has performed at a superior rate both academically and holistically. In addition to academic excellence, you must be a current Silver Level Member.
Who is most likely to get a scholarship? ›Over 33% of private scholarships are provided to STEM students. The chances of a white student getting a scholarship are 14.2%, while the odds for minority students are 11.2%. What is this? The odds of a Black student winning a scholarship is 11.4%, 9.1% for Hispanic students, and 10.5% for Asian students.
What ACT score is needed for full ride scholarships? ›Shoot for at least a 28 on the ACT or above 1300 on the SAT. Some scholarships allow for flexibility, so check the particular scholarship, but these numbers generally give you the most options. Encourage your student to also pursue a high GPA or even 4.0, especially their senior year.
What is the hardest scholarship to get? ›- Rhodes Scholarship.
- Fullbright Scholarship.
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship.
- Princeton Scholarship.
- Mitchell Scholarship.
- Churchill Scholarship.
- Marshall Scholarship.
- Jardine Scholarship.
A 4.0 Grade Point Average is not only a high GPA, it's an impressive GPA that's sure to catch the eyes of many scholarship providers. Since the minimum GPA for a full-ride scholarship is usually set at 3.5, a 4.0 is sure to always be above and beyond what's required.
What is the easiest way to get a full ride? ›
Full-ride academic scholarship: Be at the top of your class with a great GPA, take AP/honors classes, and get perfect (or close to perfect) SAT or ACT scores. Along with academic merit, it also helps to also have leadership skills or community involvement, too (see below).
What is the average GPA for scholarships? ›Minimum requirements range from around 2.0 on the lower end to 3.75 or higher for competitive academic scholarships. Generally speaking, a 3.0 GPA or higher will give you a decent shot at qualifying for a variety of scholarships.
Can you get a 6.0 GPA? ›Not All GPAs are Created Equal
There is wide variability in the scale used to calculate GPA. GPAs can be based on a 4.0, 5.0 or 6.0 scale.
The GPA requirements for Harvard University are between 3.9 to 4.1. You will need an incredibly high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of their class in order to get into Harvard University.
What is a good undergraduate GPA? ›A good college GPA on a standard 4.0 scale can fall between 3.0 and 4.0—or between a B and an A+.
What is the lowest GPA Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What major has the lowest average GPA? ›Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average. Why this disparity?
What is the average GPA in America? ›The average high school GPA in the US is 3.0, which also accounts for roughly 35% of students who don't end up applying for college. However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0.
Does Harvard accept 4.7 GPA? ›(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 4.18, Harvard requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants.
What is the highest GPA ever? ›Normally, you would expect the highest score to be the 'perfect' 4.0 score, however, there are several things that a student can do to receive an even higher score. For example, one student actually managed to get a 10.03 GPA score. He did this by taking 17 advanced classes at his school, which awarded him many points.
Do colleges care more about weighted or unweighted GPA? ›
Colleges will look at either weighted or unweighted GPAs in your application. They do tend to prefer weighted, because it gives more information about the difficulty of your classes, but don't worry if your school uses an unweighted scale.
How many scholarships should I apply for to get one? ›The short answer is that you should apply to as many as you can, as early as you can. This means that you need to be looking early, and finding out when deadlines are. But remember, you don't want to make a career out of scholarship searching and application.
What is the most common college scholarship? ›Need-Based Scholarships
One of the most popular types of scholarships for college are need-based. These scholarships are accessible to applicants who have a demonstrated financial need, and a program might ask for proof, such as income documentation or FAFSA® information.
- the financial aid office at a college or career school.
- a high school or TRIO counselor.
- the U.S. Department of Labor's FREE scholarship search tool.
- federal agencies.
- your state grant agency.
- your library's reference section.
The Oprah Winfrey Endowed Scholars Program provides financial support, leadership development experiences, and service opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need, strong academic potential, and interest in and commitment to community service.
What is the Dream scholarship? ›TheDream.US National Scholarship Program is for undocumented students who are eligible for in-state tuition at one of our National Partner Colleges. This scholarship is for up to $16,500 for an associate's or up to $33,000 for a bachelor's degree at one of our National Partner Colleges.
What is a royal grant? ›The Sovereign Grant is paid annually to the monarch by the Treasury to fund the monarch's official duties, replacing the system of funding the Royal Household by a mixture of civil list payments and grants-in-aid.
How do you get a full ride? ›Most full-ride scholarships are awarded based on merit, so you'll need to demonstrate excellence in a particular area to be successful. Critically assess your strengths to determine which type of scholarship, if any, you have a chance of being awarded.
Is full ride the same as full tuition? ›What's a full-ride scholarship? It's a financial award, like any other scholarship, but with a difference—it covers all your college expenses. And not just tuition—a full-ride scholarship also covers your housing, meals, books, lab fees, and sometimes even living costs.
What does a full ride include? ›A full ride scholarship is an award that covers all expenses related with college. This includes tuition, books, fees, room and board, and possibly even living costs. The goal is to remove any need for additional financial aid.
What is considered a full ride? ›
A full-ride scholarship is an award that covers the entire cost of college. That includes tuition, room and board, textbooks, school materials, and sometimes even living costs and study abroad fees.