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College Scholarships
Scholarships are money for postsecondary education that does not have to be repaid, and for which students must generally apply. Students and their families should begin exploring scholarship opportunities about a year before the student intends to attend college. Some scholarships include:
- GEAR UP Scholarships — Student Assistance Foundation provides $50,000 a year to the Montana GEAR UP Program for scholarships for eligible high school students. Successful applicants receive $1,000 in December of each year. For more information, visit the GEAR UP Web site at www.gearup.montana.edu/scholarships_grants.htm.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Another source for free scholarship information is the Montana Career Information System (MCIS). MCIS offers a scholarship database for both Montana and national scholarships.