Montana's STEM/Healthcare Scholarship Program
General Information
Montana’s STEM/Healthcare Scholarship Program is designed to provide an incentive
for Montana high school students to prepare for, enter into, and complete degrees
in postsecondary fields related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics and
healthcare. The goal of this program is to increase the number of STEM/Healthcare
degree recipients participating in Montana’s workforce. View the STEM Fact Sheet and access the FAQ page.
THE MONTANA STEM/HEALTHCARE APPLICATION WILL OPEN DECEMBER 1, 2024
IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE:
Information regarding scholarships awarded by our office is subject to change based
on final Legislative budget approvals. Funding for these scholarships is not guaranteed
and final approval for scholarship awards may be determined after the application
period has ended.
In addition, criteria noted for each scholarship is used as a minimum starting point
for consideration, the final number of scholarships may be limited. Meeting the eligibility
criteria does not guarantee selection.
Eligibility requirements
To receive $1,000 for the first academic year at a qualifying campus
- Must be a resident of the state of Montana per Board of Regents Policy 940.1
- Must apply the year they graduate from a high school accredited by the Montana Board of Public Education list of eligible high schools
- Must obtain a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.25
- Must complete 4 years of college prep math and 3 years of college prep science while in high school
- Must apply to and be accepted by one of the eligible campuses (listed below)
- Must be seeking a first certificate, or 2-year, or 4-year degree
- Must declare a qualifying STEM or Healthcare major
- Must be enrolled a minimum of full-time (12+ credits) each semester at a qualifying campus
- Must enroll the first fall semester immediately following high school graduation
STEM/Healthcare Application process
Applying is a multi-step process. Students must complete each of the following steps by the deadline for their application to be considered complete;
- Apply to and be accepted by one of the eligible campuses
- Apply online AwardMontana.mus.edu
- Print the Math and Science Certification page from the application, have it signed by the High School Counselor/Designee
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS THAT MUST BE UPLOADED TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION IN THE PORTAL
-
- Copy of official 7th semester high school transcript reflecting all classes from freshman year through the first semester of senior year* including cumulative GPA (request from your high school in early February)
- Copy of College Acceptance Letter or Acceptance email
- Math and Science Certification page, signed by the High School Counselor/Designee
Qualifying STEM/Healthcare Majors
List of accepted STEM Majors
STEM/Healthcare Scholarships may be used at the following campuses
| MSU Bozeman | UM Missoula | Flathead Valley CC | Salish-Kootenai |
| Gallatin College MSU | Missoula College UM | Miles CC | Blackfeet CC |
| MSU Billings | MT Technological University | Dawson CC | Little Big Horn |
| City College MSU | Highlands College of MT Tech | Aaniiih Nakoda | |
| MSU Northern | UM Western | Chief Dull Knife | |
| Great Falls College MSU | Helena College UM | Stone Child | |
| Bitterroot College | Fort Peck CC |
Scholarship retention
Renewing recipients that meet the following requirements may receive $1,500 for the second year, $1,500 for the third year and $2,000 for the fourth academic year
- Must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) per academic year
- Must continue to declare a qualifying STEM or Healthcare majors
- Must be continuously enrolled a minimum of full-time (12+ credits) each semester at a qualifying campus
- Must complete a minimum of 30 credits after two semesters, 60 credit hours after four semesters, and 90 credit hours after six semesters
- Do not need to apply for renewal; all renewal requirements will be confirmed by the campus
- All renewals are contingent upon continued Legislative funding; in the event sufficient
funds are not
available to fully fund the program, scholarships will be prorated accordingly. - EARLY GRADUATES - If a student notifies OCHE prior to their last semester before graduation that they will receive their bachelor's degree in less than 4 years, and the campus confirms this status, OCHE will pay the remaining scholarship amount during the student's final semester.
Scholarship Award Process
- Once awards are announced High School Counselors/Designees will be notified, in addition, ALL recipients of these scholarships will be notified by mail
- If awarded, each recipient must accept or decline the offered scholarship, please be sure to return the information promptly
- Applicants not chosen to receive a scholarship will be notified by email
Transferring STEM/Healthcare Scholarships
With proper notification, STEM/Healthcare Scholarships may be transferred to other eligible campuses. Please sign into the Award Montana Portal to fill in the Campus Change form on the top tab
Appeals
Initial scholarship award determinations are not subject to appeal; however, recipients may appeal termination or non-renewal of their awards to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) based on extenuating circumstances. The Commissioner’s decision is final.
Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to:
- Documentable serious illness, injury, and/or recovery that prevented a student from attending class
- Documentable death or serious illness of an immediate family member
- Documentable significant trauma that impaired a student’s emotional and/or physical health
- A leave of absence for a student participating in active or inactive duties in the United States military, including the National Guard and Reserve of the Armed Forces
- Other difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Contact Award Montana
Do you have questions about scholarship applications or need help getting started? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Email: AwardMontana@montana.edu
Phone: 1-800-537-7508
