Senior

Scholarships

The fall of your senior year is the time to start looking for scholarships that you might be eligible to receive. Some Montana scholarships include:

  • GEAR UP Scholarships — Montana GEAR UP Program provides scholarships for eligible high school students. Successful applicants receive $1,000 in December of each year.
  • State Scholarships — The Montana Guaranteed Loan Program (MGSLP) administers several state scholarships such as the Community College Honor Scholarship, MUS Honor Scholarship and Honor Scholarship for National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists. For more information, visit the MGSLP Web site at www.mgslp.state.mt.us/index.php.
  • Montana Career Information System — MCIS provides both Montana and national scholarship searches and applications.  Log on at www.smartaboutcollege.com.
  • National Merit Scholarships — The independent, nonprofit National Merit Scholarship Corporation awards about 5,000 scholarships each year. For more information, visit the MGSLP Web site at www.mgslp.state.mt.us/index.php.
  • The Governor’s Postsecondary "Best and Brightest" Scholarship — provides Montana residents with greater access to Montana’s postsecondary institutions and tribal colleges, through scholarship grants based on academic achievement and financial need.  The goal of these scholarships is to relieve student debt burdens, allowing more Montanans to stay in the state after graduation.  Go to  www.scholarship.mt.gov for more information.
  • Private Scholarships — Funds for these types of scholarships often come from professional associations, civic organizations, colleges, universities and more.
  • Warning! No guarantees exist when it comes to obtaining scholarships. Some individuals and businesses advertise scholarships for a finder’s fee. Legitimate scholarships do not require payment to apply.

Additional information about scholarships is available at locations including the Internet, college financial aid/admissions offices and public/college libraries.