Financial aid services are available in the Financial Aid office located on the 5th floor of Aber Hall.

Students specific information including the status of the student's aid application is available in CyberBear. General financial aid information including forms, policies and scholarship information is available at the Financial Aid Office website.

Notice: Any policy is subject to change without advance notice if required by federal or state law, Board of Regents, or Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office.

Acceptance to UM

Students must be accepted for admission (or readmission) to the University in a degree seeking program before financial aid requests are considered. Students accepted into non-degree categories are not eligible for any financial aid.

Presidential Leadership Scholarships

This award is open to incoming freshmen who have demonstrated high academic achievements, leadership and promise for success through their high school experiences. The award is renewable for four years based on meeting eligibility requirements. The application is available from Enrollment Services-Admissions, the Davidson Honors College, and high school counselors in Montana. The application is also available on-line on the Davidson Honors College website. The application deadline is December 31.

Campus-Wide Scholarships

The University offers a campus-wide scholarship program. Students should apply each year as most scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Students holding a UM General renewable scholarship will have their awards automatically renewed if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria so need not submit an application again in subsequent years.

Requests for applications for continuing UM students, beginning November 1st, may be directed to the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office. The application is also located on line on the Financial Aid Office website. The filing deadline is February 1. Students are notified in March.

New, incoming students who have applied for admission to UM by December 31 will be considered for any scholarships that may be applicable. Notification will be done in March.

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship may be available for applicants from participating states. Application for a WUE scholarship is accomplished by applying for admissions to UM. Contact Enrollment Services-Admissions for further information.

Departmental Scholarships

Many departments, including the Missoula College, offer scholarships based on skill or academic potential. Students should contact their major departments for deadlines and more information.

Western Undergraduate Exchange Program (WUE)

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship program at The University of Montana-Missoula is a highly competitive academic merit based scholarship which is strictly monitored. Awards are decided upon a comprehensive review of a student's cumulative G.P.A. and test scores. When undergraduate students apply and are admitted from a WUE state they are automatically considered for the WUE, if not eligible for the WUE they are reviewed for other awards. The WUE states are limited to students who are legal residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Please note: Only first time incoming freshman and new transfer students are eligible for the WUE scholarship. Currently enrolled students not originally awarded WUE, post-baccalaureate students and returning students are not eligible for WUE.

The amount of the WUE scholarship will always represent the 150% of the cost of Montana resident tuition and fees. The WUE scholarship will automatically be renewed each semester providing students follow all conditions of the WUE Scholarship.

The conditions of the WUE Scholarship are:

• The award is in effect for four years or until completion of a bachelor s degree (120 credits) whichever comes first.
• You must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and register for at least 12 credits each consecutive term of enrollment. (Please note that completion of 15 credits per semester leads to graduation within four years.) Courses taken through the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning (SELL) are not WUE eligible and are not counted in meeting the requirement to be full-time.
• Tuition and fees at UM between 12 and 21 credits costs the same. The best way to maximize your tuition dollars is by taking advantage of this cost savings during your scholarship eligibility.
• You may not earn Montana residency for fee purposes at any unit of the Montana University System.
• Students who are not continuously enrolled (except summers), transfer to Missoula College, establish Montana residency or become distance only students, forfeit the scholarship. WUE recipients cannot also receive the LAS scholarship and cease to be eligible for the WUE upon completion of a bachelor's degree.
• The WUE scholarship can be used during summer terms.
• Post-baccalaureate students (i.e. students who have previously earned a bachelor's degree) and graduate students are not eligible to receive the WUE.
• Students who do not meet scholarship conditions may appeal for reinstatement using the Continuing Student Scholarship Appeal Form.

To be eligible for the WUE scholarship first time incoming freshman and transfer students must apply for admission and be admitted to The University of Montana. Awarding of the WUE will occur on a space available rolling basis with priority given to those who apply before December 31st. Further details are available from the Office of Admissions website.

Financial Aid Application

All students who wish to receive any federal funds, including federal parent loans, need based or most non-need based assistance, must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is available on the Federal Student Aid website. Students whose FAFSAs are received and processed by the Department of Education by February 15, and who complete all other documentation requirements are given priority for limited funds. Those who complete requirements later are considered only for federal loan programs and federal Pell Grants. 

Determination of Eligibility

Eligibility for need-based financial aid is determined by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution (as determined from filing the FAFSA), scholarships, and other educational assistance from private or public agencies from the Cost of Attendance.

Financial Aid Package

Packages of need-based aid can include a combination of grants, loans and work-study. Students using the FAFSA automatically apply for all possibilities with one application. The types of aid offered will include federal subsidized and unsubsidized student loans for graduate or undergraduate students and federal Pell Grants for undergraduates if qualified. For those who file the FAFSA early and complete all requirements for additional documentation promptly, additional campus aid will be considered. This aid includes federal and state grants for undergraduate students. Federal Perkins loans and either federal or state work study will be considered for all early filers for both degree-seeking undergraduates and graduate students.

Non-need based aid, in the form of unsubsidized federal loans, for students and parents of dependent students will be considered for those families who file the FAFSA and accept these loans.

Distribution of Aid

All financial aid is awarded by the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office and distributed through Business Services, usually by crediting aid to the student's account. Aid is disbursed beginning the week before classes to students who have accepted their aid, submitted all required documents weeks in advance of the date and have finalized their registration in Cyberbear. Loans may be canceled under certain conditions if the student no longer desires the debt. Students who are offered work study must obtain employment and complete additional paperwork at the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office. Students who work are paid bi-weekly based on the timecard submitted by students and the supervisors.

Additional Requirements for Loans

In order to meet federal requirements, students who receive a federal student loan at the University of Montana must complete an entrance interview requirement and sign a promissory note before a loan will be disbursed. Instructions for entrance and exit counseling and the promissory notes are available on the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office website for the University of Montana-Missoula. Select the "Loans" link. 

Study Abroad and Financial Aid

Students who desire to study abroad and who enroll in courses that are approved by The University of Montana should contact the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office. Instructions will be provided for using financial aid with this type of study.

Other Requirements and Guidelines for Retaining Financial Aid

Financial aid for full-time is based on maintaining a minimum of twelve (12) credits each term.

Students enrolled for less than full-time may receive financial aid. Most grants will be pro-rated based on credit load. Loans are not pro-rated but require a minimum of six credits.

Students enrolling for fewer than six credits are not considered for financial aid with two exceptions:

1. undergraduates who are seeking their first degree may be eligible for a reduced federal Pell Grant, and
2. tuition waivers may be available for those who qualify.

Students can only receive aid for credits that are required for their degree programs. If a student chooses to repeat a course for which they previously received a passing grade that course can only be counted toward their aid enrollment status one more time.

Employment

The Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office coordinates federal and state work study programs. Open positions are posted on the electronic job board located on the Career Services Student Employment web page.

Non-work study student employment positions are also posted electronically at Career Services Student Employment web page.

Satisfactory Progress

Any student receiving financial aid is required to make satisfactory academic progress in a program leading to a degree. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) and complete a minimum of 70% of all credits attempted. The minimum GPA for undergraduate, Law and Pharmacy students is a 2.0. Physical Therapy doctoral students need to maintain at least a 2.5 GPS. Graduate students need to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

A student must also be able to complete their degree within 150% of the length of their program measured in credits attempted. For instance, a student pursuing a 120 credit bachelor’s degree would need to complete their degree prior to attempting 180 credits.

Complete information is available in the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office or at the Financial Aid Office website.  Select the "Maintaining eligibility" link.

Short Term Loans

Limited short term loan money may be available to registered students who are eligible and submit complete applications. Among other conditions the student must have pending financial aid that will result in a refund to the student to qualify for the loan.

Tuition Waivers

The Montana Board of Regents has authorized the waiver of tuition for certain categories of students. Applications for any of the tuition waivers listed must be made in writing to the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office. The request must be made prior to the start of the semester in which students expect the waiver.

Minimum academic standards are necessary to receive tuition waivers. Other requirements and limitations may apply. Contact the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office for application forms or more information.

Montana Veterans Tuition Waiver

• bonafide resident of the State of Montana for fee purposes
• Honorable Discharge
• at one time qualified for veterans benefits under Title 38 of the U.S. Code, but are no longer eligible
• served during a time of war as determined by the Attorney General (World War II, 12-7-41 to 9-2-45; Korean War, 6-22-50 to 1-31-55; Vietnam War, 1-1-64 to 5-7-75; or post-Vietnam world conflicts under certain conditions. Contact the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office for further information.)

American Indian Student Tuition Waivers

• resident of the State of Montana for one year immediately prior to enrollment at The University of Montana-Missoula
• documentation proving at least one-quarter degree blood
• meet admissions guidelines of the University
• must have financial need as determined by the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office
• meet satisfactory academic progress according to the standards of the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office

Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver

• permanent resident of the State of Montana
• 65 years of age or older

University of Montana Employees

• instate resident
• employed at least three-quarter time on the date of registration and for the entire semester
• must be after probationary employment period
• approval from department head & Human Resources every semester

Montana University System Honors Scholarship

• awarded by Board of Regents to top graduating high school seniors in Montana
• student must submit form received from the Regents to The University of Montana Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office for activation of this waiver

Other

There are several other tuition waivers including war orphans, MUS employees' families, surviving dependents of a Montana National Guard Member, and surviving spouse or children of any Montana firefighter or peace officer killed in the line of duty. Contact the Enrollment Services-Financial Aid Office for details.

Department of Military Science

All students are afforded the opportunity to apply for two, three and four year scholarships provided by Army ROTC. The scholarships pay for all mandatory tuition and fees, a monthly stipend and $450.00 per semester for books. The monthly stipend for scholarship students is

• $300.00 in the freshman year;
• $350.00 in the sophomore year;
• $450.00 in the junior year and
• $500.00 in the senior year.

Additional financial assistance opportunities are provided to students that are interested in joining the U.S. Army Reserve or the Montana State National Guard. These programs are referred to as the Simultaneous Membership Program, since the student is involved in the National Guard or Reserves at the same time they are involved in ROTC. These programs have financial benefits that range from $15,000 for a two year program to $50,000 for a four year program. These benefits are very complex and are best understood by stopping in to visit with the Military Science Enrollment Officer.

Students have the opportunity to enroll in both the basic and advance courses offered by the Department of Military Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Basic Course is simply the Freshman and sophomore level courses offered by Army ROTC Instructors and no financial benefits are received for enrolling unless the student is on a scholarship. The Advanced Course refers to our junior and senior level courses. All advanced course students are contracted and receive financial benefits. We welcome student involvement in Land Navigation and Drill and Conditioning courses but no benefits are provided for enrollment in these classes.