Investing in Student Access

The 66th Montana Legislature approved $2 million in state need-based student aid that, when matched one-to-one by private donations from the campus Foundations, will provide a total of $4 million in financial aid for students across the Montana University System (MUS) over the next two years (FY2020 and FY2021).  The number of scholarships available to each campus for Montana Access Scholarships is determined by its percentage of resident student enrollment for the entire MUS.  As campus Foundations receive donations for this program, the State of Montana, through OCHE, will match those funds up to the cap amounts specified for each campus. Campuses award these scholarships, until the funds are exhausted, to students meeting the following eligibility requirements:

  • Must be a Montana resident per BOR Residency Policy, 940.1;
  • Must be an undergraduate student enrolled at a qualifying campus in a certificate, associate, or first bachelor’s degree program;
  • Must file an annual FAFSA and be Pell Grant eligible (awarded to lowest EFC first); Pell eligibility includes those students who are Pell eligible but have exhausted their lifetime usage limits;
  • Must be enrolled full-time (12+ credits/semester); OR part-time (6+ credits/semester) in a certificate or 2-year program AND is 25+ years of age;
  • Must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as determined by their campus; and
  • Must meet the federal Title IV selective service registration requirements.

 

Students must meet the eligibility requirements each semester they receive an award.  Awards are $500 per semester.