University of Montana Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit awards and GPA/test score thresholds
- Competitive scholarships and hidden-gem programs
- Honors College benefits and stacking strategies
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~95%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20–27
- Middle 50% SAT: 1020–1260
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.3–3.8
Source: University of Montana Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Montana at a Glance
Last verified: October 10, 2025
The University of Montana rewards solid academics with generous automatic aid and regional discounts through WUE. Out-of-state students can cut tuition dramatically—often to near in-state levels—and high achievers are invited to the Davidson Honors College, where they can compete for the prestigious Presidential Leadership Scholarship covering full tuition.
Use this guide to see how GPA, test scores, and application timing affect automatic awards—and why the combination of WUE and merit aid makes UM one of the West’s most affordable research universities.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — the University of Montana is test-optional through Fall 2026 but superscores ACT/SAT if submitted.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 20–27; SAT: 1020–1260 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $15,480/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — UM participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), and high-achieving out-of-state students receive discounted tuition automatically.
https://www.umt.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
https://www.umt.edu/honors/presidential-leadership-scholarship.php
https://www.umt.edu/honors/
https://www.umt.edu/admissions/tuition-and-costs.php
https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/university-of-montana
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?180489-University-of-Montana
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Montana
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $13,318 | $36,022 |
| Housing & Meals | $17,210 | $17,210 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $30,528 | $53,232 |
Note: Figures above include direct costs billed by UM. Additional estimated expenses — books ($1,200), transportation, and personal costs (~$6,000 total) — bring the full cost of attendance to roughly $38,000 for in-state students and $60,000 for out-of-state students.
COA & WUE FAQ
Who qualifies for WUE?
Students from WUE partner states (like Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho) majoring in eligible
programs.
How much does WUE save?
About $14,000–$15,000 per year compared to the standard nonresident tuition.
Is WUE automatic?
Yes. UM applies the WUE rate during admission if your residency and major meet the criteria.
https://www.umt.edu/business-services/tuition-and-fees.php
https://www.umt.edu/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance.php
https://www.umt.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?180489-University-of-Montana
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/university-of-montana
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
UM considers every admitted first-time undergraduate for resident and non-resident merit automatically (no separate form). Awards are based on high school GPA. WUE is also treated as an admission-based discount.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UMAAS (Residents) | $1,000–$4,000/yr (up to 4 years) | MT resident; unweighted GPA tiers; first bachelor’s; tuition-designated (GPA ≥ 3.00 recommended for eligibility) | No | Yes — 2.5 GPA & 15 credits/term, up to 8 terms | 3.95+: $4,000 3.75–3.94: $3,000 3.35–3.74: $2,000 3.00–3.34: $1,000 |
March 1 |
| UMAAS (Non-Residents) | $5,000–$18,000/yr (up to 4 years) | Non-resident admits; unweighted GPA tiers determine amount; no WUE stacking | No | Yes — 3.0 GPA & 15 credits/term, up to 8 terms | 3.95+: $18,000 3.75–3.94: $16,000 3.35–3.74: $14,000 3.00–3.34: $12,500 ≤2.99: $5,000 |
March 1 |
| Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) | Pays 150% of resident tuition (saves ~$21k/yr) | Admit from a WUE state; eligible major; strong GPA (≥3.90 recommended for maximum eligibility) | No | Yes — 3.0 GPA & 15 credits/term, up to 8 terms | 3.90+ weighted GPA is most competitive; strong “rigor” can help offset a lower GPA; test-optional | December 1 |
Note: GPA cutoffs follow UM’s published bands; actual thresholds can shift year to year. March 1 is the main priority cutoff for scholarship consideration, December 1 for WUE.
Automatic Merit FAQ
Do I need a separate application?
No. Admission doubles as your scholarship application.
Are test scores required?
No. UM is test-optional and does not superscore ACT/SAT.
Can WUE stack with UMAAS?
No — it’s one or the other.
Key dates?
December 1 (WUE) and March 1 (UMAAS priority).
https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/incoming-freshmen.php
https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/residents.php
https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/nonresidents.php
https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/wue.php
https://www.umt.edu/admissions/wue.php
https://umontana.edu/scholarships/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Beyond the automatic awards, UM also offers a small number of selective scholarships that require an extra step. These typically look for strong academics plus essays, leadership, or interviews. They are limited in number and worth paying attention to if your student is aiming for the top scholarships.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Leadership Scholarship | Full resident tuition + fees (4 years) | Incoming freshmen (resident & non-resident); requires essay + interview; selection based on GPA, leadership, service. | Yes — separate Honors/DHC application | Yes — GPA & credit minimums | High achievers (typically 3.8+ GPA), leadership and service records, strong interview/essays. | December 1 |
| Foundation & Alumni Scholarships (General Pool) | Typically $500–$2,000/yr | All UM students; must complete general scholarship application via Scholarship Portal. | Yes — via Scholarship Portal | Varies | Applicants who submit the general app, often showing need, service, or academic merit. | March 1 |
*Estimated GPA and requirements are from prior years and UM’s latest public criteria; actual selection is holistic and competitive.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Why are these called competitive? They have limited spots and require more than just grades—essays, interviews, and leadership/service often matter most.
Are these worth applying for? Yes. Smaller donor awards can often stack with automatic merit and further reduce costs.
How do I increase my student’s chances? Apply early, write strong essays, highlight leadership/service, and meet all deadlines.
Can these stack with UMAAS or WUE? Yes, most competitive and donor scholarships can stack. Tuition-designated awards cannot exceed actual tuition.
🎖️ Honors College
The Davidson Honors College (DHC) is one of UM’s standout features. Admission is selective but supportive — students apply separately after or alongside their UM application. It’s designed for curious learners who want smaller classes, closer faculty relationships, and access to unique funding for research and study abroad.
High school GPA around 3.7+, strong college-prep or AP/IB coursework, and evidence of leadership or community service. Test scores are optional but can strengthen the application.
Priority registration, smaller Honors seminars, access to research and travel funds, Honors-specific housing, close faculty mentorship, and a capstone thesis or project that signals academic depth to grad schools and employers.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Leadership Scholarship (PLS) | Covers full resident tuition + fees (up to 4 years) | Top incoming freshmen; selection based on GPA (~3.8+), leadership, essays, and interview. Must apply to DHC. | Yes — DHC application | Yes — maintain GPA and Honors standing | High achievers: GPA 3.8+; strong leadership/service; interviews | December 1 |
| Provost’s Honors Scholarship (PHS) | Varies (often partial tuition) | Honors applicants with strong GPA and leadership/service; must apply to DHC. | Yes — DHC application | Yes | DHC admits with ~3.7+ and strong all-around transcripts | December 1 |
| Dean’s Leadership Scholarship (DLS) | $1,000–$2,000/yr | Honors applicants demonstrating leadership/academic strength. DHC app required. | Yes — DHC application | Yes | Strong Honors admits with notable leadership/service | December 1 |
| Davidson Honors College Scholarships (General Pool) | $1,000–$5,000/yr | Must be admitted to DHC; essays, leadership/service, and general DHC application | Yes — DHC application | Yes | Broader DHC pool; strong essays/service/transcripts | December 1 |
| Honors Research & Study Abroad Awards | $1,000–$3,000 (one-time) | For Honors students proposing research, internships, or study abroad projects; junior/senior recommended | Yes — by proposal/app | No | Upper-level Honors with strong faculty project/thesis | October 15, March 15 |
Honors FAQ
Is admission automatic with GPA? No. GPA is important, but essays and service/leadership are also critical.
Does Honors add time to a degree? No. Honors overlays your major and the required capstone fits inside your schedule.
Are there extra costs or extra funding? No extra tuition. Honors provides donor scholarships and research/travel mini-grants.
When should you apply? Apply by December 1 for scholarships, and by October 15/March 15 for most internal awards. Late DHC apps may be considered until capacity is reached.
https://www.umt.edu/honors/apply/
https://www.umt.edu/honors/scholarships.php
https://umt.academicworks.com/
https://www.umt.edu/honors/
https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/incoming-freshmen.php
⭐ College Specialty
UM really shines when it comes to research and public service. As one of fewer than 4% of U.S. universities with an R1 Carnegie classification, UM delivers top-tier research opportunities alongside programs rooted in conservation, law, and environmental leadership. It’s a beacon for students who want meaningful impact paired with rigorous academics.
Bachelor’s in Forestry & Conservation via the W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation — consistently ranked #1 in Montana and in the top 25 nationally. Accredited by the Society of American Foresters, it’s a natural pipeline into impactful careers in forest management, conservation, and environmental policy — especially at the federal level.
UM is an R1 “Doctoral Universities—Very High Research Activity” institution.
- Environmental Science & Natural Resources — Ranked around #125 nationally (Edurank, 2025), with strength in wildlife, ecology, paleontology, and climate science.
- Environmental & Natural Resources Law** (Blewett III School of Law) — Among the top ~30 environmental law programs in the nation, with clinics and certificates in natural resource policy.
- Environmental Journalism — Graduate program focusing on science and environmental storytelling, professionally cutting-edge and unique in its emphasis.
- Wildlife Biology & Conservation Research** — Housed under the Forestry & Conservation College with access to field stations like Lubrecht Forest and the Bolle Center.