Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to reduce the cost of an education. Usually, they are awarded based on some criterion of merit and/or demonstrated financial need.

There are many scholarship opportunities for continuing and new UM students. Application processes can be lengthy and involved and deadlines vary. It is best to begin researching scholarship opportunities eight to nine months (e.g. November or December) prior to when the scholarship is needed to pay for school.

Scholarship Application Procedures

Students who are new to the University of Montana are eligible for several scholarship opportunities. The application for admission serves as the scholarship application for the Western University Exchange (WUE), The Western States Scholarship (WSS), the Leadership, Achievement and Service (LAS), and the Montana Academic Achievement (MAA) scholarships.

Departmental scholarships and the Presidential Leadership scholarships require a separate application.

Current and former UM students can compete for the Campus-Wide Scholarships administered by the Financial Aid Office. The UM Scholarship Portal draws together many endowed scholarships and donations into a single scholarship application. The application deadline is March 1.

Departmental scholarships are also available to continuing students. Deadlines and application requirements vary by department.

Many students are successful in securing scholarship funding from external agencies. UM's external scholarships webpage can assist in that process.

For scholarships and fellowships requiring UM nomination students should contact the Director of External Scholarships and Advising.

Scholarships for new students are based on a combination of high school GPA and test scores (i.e. ACT, SAT), or transfer GPA. Students who have improved their GPA or test scores or have experienced an unforeseen life event that impacted their academic performance can submit a Scholarship Appeal Form.

Students who submit revised test scores or a transcript with a higher GPA, and request reconsideration, will automatically have an increase to their scholarship approved if it places them at a higher award level on the eligibility chart.

Scholarship increases due to unforeseen life events only occur in rare cases, and only when the GPA or test scores fall just below the required levels on the eligibility chart.