University of Montana (Missoula) Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See Montana aid & Grants
Last Updated on March 31, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~95%
- Middle 50% ACT: 23.5
- Middle 50% SAT: 1140
- Average GPA: 3.55
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Montana (Missoula) at a Glance
The University of Montana is one of those schools where the financial strategy is pretty straightforward—and that’s a good thing. Solid grades can unlock automatic merit, and if you’re coming from out of state, WUE can bring the price down fast. This isn’t a place where you’re guessing whether aid will show up—you can map it out ahead of time.
What makes Montana stand out is how those pieces stack. A strong student can combine automatic merit, WUE pricing, and honors opportunities to build a very affordable path—while still having access to research and a classic college-town experience. If your student values the outdoors, smaller classes, and a clear return on investment, this is a school where the numbers and the lifestyle tend to line up.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Montana (Missoula) is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 23.5; SAT: 1140.
Average net price? About $15,480/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in WUE.
UM American Indian Tuition Waiver page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/american-indian-waiver.php
Davidson Honors College scholarships overview: https://www.umt.edu/honors/scholarships.php
Davidson Honors College scholarships page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/presidential-leadership-scholarships2/
UM departmental scholarships page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/departmental.php
UM scholarships overview (includes Greek and involvement awards via portal): https://umontana.edu/scholarships/
UM Scholarship Portal information page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/um-scholarship-portal/
UM non-traditional scholarships page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/non-traditional.php
UM music scholarships page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/music.php
UM Financial Aid nonresident scholarships page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/non-resident-scholarships-for-entering-students/
UM Financial Aid resident scholarships page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/mt-resident-entering-student-scholarships/
UM WUE scholarship page: https://www.umt.edu/finaid/scholarships/wue.php
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Montana (Missoula) 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $13,318 | $36,022 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $17,210 | $17,210 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $30,528 | $53,232 |
Average Federal Net Price: $15,480 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
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.