Strategy 5.3.2 (Scholarship and Waivers)

Increase access to scholarship and waiver opportunities among underrepresented student populations.

Owners/Accountable Party

  • Vice President for Enrollment
  • CEO of UM Foundation

Actions

Near-term Actions

  • Actively advertise scholarships to students from underrepresented populations, e.g., advertise in places frequented by those populations we hope to attract and support
  • Better communicate regarding the American Indian waiver, Veterans waiver, etc.
  • Perform a comprehensive review of waivers and develop a plan to use institutional waivers more strategically
  • UM Foundation to collaborate with executive leadership to articulate the case for need-based and unrestricted scholarships to campus leaders, alumni, prospective donors, and other stakeholders to foster greater understanding and alignment around the importance of need-based and unrestricted financial aid to efficiently meet the access needs of all students and especially underrepresented students.
  • UM Foundation and UM to deploy public messaging and enhanced fundraising efforts for need-based and unrestricted scholarships.

Future Actions

Completed and Ongoing Actions

  • Implemented Grizzly Promise to provide all Montanans who come from a family that makes $50,000 or less with access to UM education tuition-free.
  • Implemented Payne Impact Scholars to support students with significant financial need but who fall outside the Federal Pell Grant eligibility.
  • Launched advertising campaign targeting Montana students and parents focused on Grizzly Promise