Money Matters
MSU works hard to remove financial barriers.
MSU distributes more than $140 million in aid each year to students and their families.
Few investments rival the value of a college education. At MSU, the investment you make in tuition pays off in the workplace. Payscale.com ranks MSU in the top quarter of American universities for mid-career salaries, and Money Magazine recently ranked MSU as the best value among universities in Montana.
At MSU, we understand that the cost of attendance is a major factor in any student's college search. That's why we're committed to making the benefits of a college degree accessible to all students through a wide range of financial assistance programs, including grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, work study and student loans.
Want to learn more about paying for school? Join one of our live information sessions!
On-Demand Presentation
Explore our Financing your Education Webinar recording below!
Merit Scholarships
Montana State University offers millions of dollars in merit scholarships and waivers to new students with excellent academic records and outstanding promise for student success. Our holistic review of scholarship candidates considers academic achievement, including GPA and class rank (if applicable). Leadership qualities, commitment to service and promise of engagement in the life of Montana State University may also be considered for some awards. Explore some of scholarship opportunities below!
Additional Scholarships
Many different offices and programs at Montana State University offer scholarships to incoming students. In addition, Montana State University accepts scholarships organized by outside, online or local providers. To learn more about specific opportunities, please select an option from the list below.
Financial Education
The MSU Office of Financial Education (OFE) provides students with resources to build understanding and make informed decisions regarding money management before, during and after college. OFE offers opportunities throughout the year to provide access to information about loans, scholarships, budgeting and more.
- One-on-one Appointments with a trained financial coach
- Workshops on a range of topics including loans, scholarships and budgeting
- Group Coaching Sessions
- Classroom Programs
- Events
Financial Aid
Applying for financial aid is as easy as 1-2-3.
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This can be done online at fafsa.ed.gov. To be considered for the widest range of financial aid, students should file the FAFSA by the December 1 priority deadline for the following fall semester. List MSU’s school code 002532 on your application.
- Your financial aid eligibility will be sent to you based on the information you provide. Accept or reject your aid package by the deadline.
- Once you are accepted for admission and have registered for classes, you will receive a bill listing your charges and the financial aid you accepted. Confirm your attendance with MSU’s Student Accounts Office to arrange payment.
Financial aid options include:
• Scholarships
• Grants
• Tuition waivers
• Loans
• Student employment
Want more information about MSU? We're here to help.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You can email our
staff at [email protected], or call us Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm MT at 1-888-MSU-CATS.