Distance-Only Status
Students enrolled only in online, synchronous remote, and limited on-site programs may opt into distance-only status for the purpose of waiving the immunization and health insurance requirements as well as certain campus-based tuition/fee charges.
Generally, distance-only status is not automatically applied to student records because distance-only students do not have access to student services listed under restrictions on this page.
Switching to distance-only status also affects eligibility for certain scholarships. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information on particular scholarships, loans, or grants.
Fully Online Program
Any academic degree or certificate program in which all of the required coursework can be completed through online delivery via the campus’s Learning Management System (LMS).
Remote Program
Any academic degree or certificate program in which all of the instruction can be delivered via synchronous video conferencing delivery or a combination of both synchronous video conferencing and asynchronous online delivery.
Online with Limited On-site Program
Any academic degree or certificate program in which 80% or more of the required instruction (but not all) can be completed via online and/or video conferencing delivery. Instruction not provided via online and/ or video conferencing must require only concentrated, short-term, on-site experiences and/ or internship, clinical, or practicum experiences that may be completed near a student’s location.
Deadlines
Changes to or from distance-only status may only be made through the 15th class day of the summer semester. Changes may not be made after that date or for past semesters.
Summer Semester 2025: May 19
Notice: Bill Payment Deadlines
Failure to pay your registration bill by the published payment deadline while waiting for an distance-only form to be processed will not qualify you for a late fee waiver. Once the in-person fees are reversed, any overpayments will be credited back to the student's account.
Payment deadlines are posted on the Student Accounts website.
Cost Comparison
- Visit the Student Accounts tuition and fees page.
- Select the academic year from the top of the screen.
- Compare the cost per credit from the campus-based chart to the distance-only chart.
Restrictions
Distance-only students are prohibited from enrolling in any course that has any potential face-to-face component. Registration is limited to course sections with the attendance methods of online asynchronous, online synchronous remote, or limited on-site delivery. These courses are typically denoted with a section number of 50 through 59.
Distance-only status is not available for WUE students due to the WUE scholarship conditions.
Distance-only students may reverse their status in order to enroll in face-to-face courses and become eligible for campus services. However, changes to or from distance-only cannot be made after the 15th class day or equivalent for the summer semester.
Distance-only students are not eligible for:
- Certain scholarships. (Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information)
- WUE tuition discount (Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information)
- University of Montana Student Health Insurance
- Student housing
- Curry Health Center services
- ASUM services
- Discounted tickets for athletic events
- Access to Campus Recreation facilities
Submit a Request
Before you submit the form, please note:
- This form may be used to change your status to/from distance-only or in-person if admitted to or continuing to pursue a distance-only program of study.
- This form may be used to change your status for summer semester or for all future semesters.
- Your status may be changed only summer semester or all future semesters.
- Your status cannot be changed for autumn or spring semester if you are pursuing a program of study that is not considered distance-only.
- Please allow 3 to 5 business days for processing.
Questions?
New Undergraduates
Contact Undergraduate Admissions if you are changing your status for your first semester at the University of Montana.
Email: admissions@umontana.edu
Phone: 406-243-6266
Continuing Undergraduates
Contact the Registrar's Office if you are a continuing undergraduate that has completed at least one semester at the University of Montana. Requests for autumn and spring semesters require an academic advisor to submit a major change form to a distance-only program.
Email: graduation@umontana.edu
Phone: 406-243-5600
Master's and Doctoral Students
Contact the Graduate School if you are a new or continuing master's or doctoral student at the University of Montana.
Email: grad.school@umontana.edu
Phone: 406-243-2572