MUS Tuition Waivers

American Indian Waiver

Persons of at least one-fourth (1/4) degree Indian blood or are enrolled members of a state recognized or federally recognized Indian tribe which is located within the boundaries of the State of Montana may be eligible for a waiver upon demonstration of financial need. "Financial need" is defined as having at least one dollar of remaining need after subtracting Student Aid Index, all Title IV grant aid and institutional aid from the cost of attendance. Duplication of tuition designated awards is not allowed.

Montana National Guard Tuition Waiver

An Undergraduate or Graduate student who is a member of the Montana National Guard (Army and Air Guard) is eligible for a tuition waiver, provided the student:

1. Has applied for the waiver and is a bona fide member of the Guard no later than the 3rd week of the first semester for which they are requesting the waiver;
2. Is certified as a MT National Guard member in good standing who has completed Initial Entry Training;
3. Maintains reasonable academic progress in accordance with the campus’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy used in administering federal financial aid; and
4. Has an outstanding tuition balance after applying ALL other sources of aid (see Fact Sheet for calculation examples).

Waivers for students who meet the criteria above will be applied as LAST DOLLAR awards, up to the total annual cost of in-state tuition only. Thus, individual tuition waiver amounts will vary, depending on the amount of federal grants and all other scholarships received by the student. Montana National Guard members who do not meet the residency requirements provided in BOR Policy 940.1 but meet the criteria above, are eligible for in-state tuition status for purposes of applying the tuition waiver under this policy. National Guard Tuition Waiver FACT SHEET

*The waiver covers the remaining tuition balance after ALL other grants and scholarships have been applied toward tuition, and is NOT available for Flat Fee Courses. Please view the example calculation on the Fact Sheet.

Honorably Discharged Veteran Waiver

An Undergraduate or Graduate student who is a Honorably Discharged Veteran from the United States forces is eligible for a tuition waiver provided the student:

1. Is a resident of the State of Montana (per BOR Policy 940.1) and is attending a MUS qualifying campus;
2. Has received an Honorable discharge (Honorable Under General Conditions will not be accepted) for service in active duty for other than training purposes;
3. Has elected to become eligible for V.A. education benefits under Title 38, or Title 10, of the U.S. Code but benefits have expired or were exhausted;
4. Has applied for the waiver no later than the third week of the first semester for which the waiver is being requested;
5. Maintains reasonable academic progress in accordance with the campus’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy used in administering federal financial aid; and
6. Has an outstanding tuition balance after applying ALL other sources of aid (see Fact Sheet for calculation examples).

Waivers for students who meet the criteria above will be applied as LAST DOLLAR awards, up to the total cost of in-state tuition only. Thus, individual tuition waiver amounts will vary, depending on the amount of federal grants and all other scholarships received by the student. Honorably Discharged Veterans Tuition Waiver FACT SHEET

*The waiver covers the remaining tuition balance after ALL other grants and scholarships have been applied toward tuition, and is NOT available for Flat Fee Courses. Please view the example calculation on the Fact Sheet.

War Orphans Waiver

A waiver is available, upon approval of the Commissioner of Higher Education, for children aged 25 or less, whose parent(s) served on active duty during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts. Such members of the armed forces must have been Montana residents at the time of entry into service, and must have been killed in action or died as a result of combat related injury, disease, or other disability.

The student must be a resident of Montana per BOR Policy 940.1 and must apply for the waiver by the 3rd week of the first semester for which they are requesting the waiver. This Waiver does not waive any fees, cannot be used with other tuition waivers and can only be used towards undergraduate tuition. This tuition waiver remains in effect as long as the student is 25 years of age or under, and maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the standards detailed by the Financial Aid Office.

Surviving Dependents of Montana Firefighters/Peace Officers Tuition Waiver

A waiver is available for dependents or spouses of a Montana Firefighter or Peace Officer that was killed in the course and scope of employment. The Firefighter/Peace Officer and the Spouse/Dependent must be Montana residents. 

The student must be a resident of Montana per BOR Policy 940.1 and must apply for the waiver by the 3rd week of the first semester for which they are requesting the waiver. This Waiver does not waive any fees, cannot be used with other tuition waivers and can only be used towards undergraduate tuition. This tuition waiver remains in effect as long as the student maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the standards detailed by the Financial Aid Office.

National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship

Tuition shall be waived for Montana students receiving a National Merit Semi-Finalist Scholarship. This scholarship (tuition waiver) will be valid through the first 2 consecutive semesters of enrollment, excluding credits earned prior to high school graduation. The holder of this scholarship must enter one of the Montana University System campuses within nine months after high school graduation. A satisfactory standard must be maintained to be eligible to use the scholarship for both semesters. The scholarship is not transferable.

Students who have been selected as National Merit Semi-finalists, will automatically be sent information regarding this waiver in the spring of their senior year. If you have not received information from your school by mid-April, please contact our office to check the status.