"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."  -Benjamin Franklin  

 
 

Webinar Series: Paying for School

Watch the 2024 webinar recording here

 

School 4 Year Planner
Paying For School Budget
Paying For School Webinar

 

Welcome to MSU! The video is presented to you by MSU Office of Financial Education and Financial Aid Services. This video is designed to help incoming students and parents to be informed of the tuitions and fees for school, organize your funding sources, navigate the MSU billing, access to financial aid service and resources, and create a budget plan that works for your family.


Topics Covered:

1) FAFSA

2) In state and out of state tuition and fees, dorms and meal plans for 2024/2025 academic year

3) How to confirm your bill

4) How to cover the tuition gap

5) Tuition payment Plans

6) Federal Student Loans

7) Parent Plus Loans

8) Student loans repayment options

9) State of Montana Residency information

10) Grants, Award, and Scholarships

11) Paying for school budget planner

12) Important dates and deadlines

13) Resources and links for MSU Offices

14) Student jobs on campus – Hire a Bobcat and Gold Standard Program

15) One on one financial coaching

 

Every student has a variety of resources available to help with paying for school.  We provide background information, links, and suggestions to help you build the PLAN that works best for YOU.

Steps to Building a Successful Plan:

1. Determine what it will cost you to attend MSU:

•Check out this link for a breakdown of cost of attendance: http://catalog.montana.edu/expenses/
 

TIP: Some fees and residence costs can vary based on your choices. Make sure you choose a dorm/meal plan that fits your budget and check on whether you need other fees like the student health insurance. Research book costsand buy based on your budget.

TIP: Look at the indirect costs and adjust them to fit your needs based on your expected travel, whether-or-not you will have a car, live off campus, etc.

2. Look at your existing funds:

•If you haven’t built a budget, refer to the budgeting pagefor tools and tips on building a plan that works for you.
•How much do you have in savings, in expected job income after existing expenses, from family assistance,etc?
•What does your financial aid award based on your FAFSA look like (loans and grants)? 
•Did you receive any scholarships, achievements awards, tuition waivers?
 

3. When you total up your available resources, are you in a good place, or do you need to look for additional support?

•If you have enough to cover your costs, consider whether-or-not you need to takeall ofyour loan package, or if you can pay your bill with only a percentage. The less loans you need to take, the better.
•Will you work during school?  How much can you anticipate contributing to school costs after covering regular expenses?
 

TIP: Make sure you consider that college is a multi year commitment.  Will your available funds hold out for four or more years? Start now tomake a planfor organizing your funds to cover your whole experience, not just this year.

4. When you have determined your funding plan, and you have registered for class, you can now log in toMyInfo, acceptyour desired aid and confirm your bill.

•If you have enough funds available to pay your bill for this semester, you can go to QuikPay and pay now.

•If you will be depending on funds that are coming to you throughout the semester, you will need toset up a payment planthrough Student Accounts.
 
 

These links will provide you with detailed information and resources as you plan your Paying for School Strategy:

 
FAFSA student loans federal loans scholarship