Your Guide to Applying for Financial Aid
Planning for college costs works best when you start early and stay organized. This guide walks you through the major steps in the financial aid process so you can maximize opportunities, meet deadlines and confidently compare your options.
Preparing for your college search:
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The time to start thinking about college costs and financial aid is the same time you start thinking about college. Understanding affordability and value are critical parts of the college search process. Talk to your family about what you can afford to and are willing to pay for college, so you can go into your college search ready to ask the important questions.
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Deadlines vary by college and by type of financial aid. Once you have your list of colleges you are considering, map out each school’s deadlines so you don’t miss out on any opportunities. Many scholarships close early, so planning ahead will give you the best chance at securing extra funding.
The college application process:
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Like many schools, UM uses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine how much financial aid each student is eligible to receive.
The FAFSA for the next academic year opens annually on Oct. 1. UM's priority deadline is Dec. 1st, however the FAFSA can still be filed after this date. Filing early increases your chances of receiving certain types of aid.
The FAFSA code for the University of Montana is 002536.
Before you submit, double-check your information to make sure everything is accurate and complete.
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Some colleges may ask for extra financial aid forms unique to their institution. Be sure you know what each school requires and gather any materials in advance.
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If your family has experienced a major change not reflected on the FAFSA (such as job loss or medical expenses), reach out to the Student Financial Services office to ask about a Special Circumstances review. Be prepared to explain your situation clearly and provide supporting documentation.
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Scholarship opportunities are available throughout the year. Look for scholarships in your community community, online, or other external scholarships. Applying to a wide range of scholarships increases your chances of receiving additional funding beyond federal and institutional aid.
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When colleges send you their financial aid packages, take time to compare them. Look at the full cost of attendance and any financial aid you are offered. Consider differences in tuition structures - such as the University of Montana’s fixed tuition at full-time enrollment versus schools that charge per credit even after reaching full-time status.
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If a college requests additional documentation, submit them promptly. Delays in providing documents can delay your financial aid.
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Once you have compared your offers and chosen a college, accept the aid that best meets your needs. You may also need to complete additional steps, such as submitting enrollment deposits or completing loan entrance counseling.
Once you are enrolled as a student:
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Your FAFSA is good for one academic year at a time. Each year, you will need to fill out the FAFSA again and submit it to your current institution to remain eligible for need-based aid and need-based scholarships or grants.
The FAFSA for the next academic year opens on Oct. 1. UM’s priority deadline for receipt of the FAFSA is Dec. 1. To be considered for the most amount of aid, file by this date or as soon as possible after this date has passed.
The FAFSA code for the University of Montana is 002536.
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Many scholarships are only available for enrolled students. Continue applying for scholarships each year, and consider Work Study or part-time employment to help with expenses.