The Budget Environment

Sources of Funding

The total operating budget for The University of Montana for Fiscal Year 2012 is approximately $403 million. The general funds budget – the primary source of funds for the instructional mission of the University – is $157 million.  The remaining $246 million comes primarily from auxiliary funds ($49 million), designated funds ($52 million), plant funds (about $43 million) and restricted funds ($101 million). The faculty of The University of Montana are successful in competing for sponsored research money, growing from a level of $12 million in 1994 to $77.5 million in the current year. Research activities also spin off approximately $9.5 million in recovery of indirect cost, and these funds are reinvested in efforts to continue the growth of research.

Of the $157 million general funds budget, nearly two-thirds comes from students in the form of tuition and about one-third comes from State appropriations. 

Uses of Funds

The University of Montana continues to use its financial resources in an efficient and effective manner to protect the quality of instruction and the student experience.

In the current budget, instruction accounts for half (50%) of general fund spending, while direct student-related expenditures (instruction, academic support, student services, and scholarships) accounts for 77% of total general fund expenditures.