The starting point
Montana State (Bozeman land-grant — NOT U of Montana) runs two automatic GPA grids — resident Premier ($1,000-$4,000/yr) and non-resident Achievement ($7,000-$16,000/yr) — both tuition-only, both requiring 15 credits/semester and continued residency to renew.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 5 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Montana Premier Scholarship (resident automatic grid)
$1,000-$4,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 4.0+ = $4,000; 3.5-3.99 = $3,000; 3.0-3.49 = $2,000; 2.7-2.99 = $1,000 (cumulative HS GPA) · SAT: Not required (test-optional) · ACT: Not required (test-optional)
Eligibility: Montana resident freshmen; automatic on the self-reported cumulative HS GPA via the admission application; first bachelor's degree only
Renewal: Renewable for four years; must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater, enroll for a minimum of 15 credits per semester, maintain RESIDENT status, and maintain continuous enrollment.
Other terms: TUITION ONLY. Automatic, no separate application. Cannot stack with the MUS Honors or Presidential Scholarship (higher value honored).
https://www.montana.edu/admissions/scholarships/residents/index.html
Achievement Award (non-resident automatic grid)
$7,000-$16,000 · Published range
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
GPA: 4.0+ = $16,000; 3.84-3.99 = $15,000; 3.59-3.83 = $14,000; 3.29-3.58 = $13,000; 3.10-3.28 = $9,000; 2.70-3.09 = $7,000 (cumulative HS GPA) · SAT: Not required (test-optional) · ACT: Not required (test-optional)
Eligibility: Non-resident freshmen from all states; automatic on self-reported HS GPA (weighted or unweighted); first bachelor's degree only
Renewal: Renewable for four years; must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater, enroll for a minimum of 15 credits per semester, maintain NON-RESIDENT status, and maintain continuous enrollment. Offers are specific to the 2026-2027 freshman class and cannot be deferred to a different term.
Other terms: TUITION ONLY. Automatic, no separate application; initial packages sent starting in October. This grid is tagged for the 2026-2027 academic year and is non-deferrable.
https://www.montana.edu/admissions/scholarships/nonresidents/index.html
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholarship
Approximately $21,000 off non-resident tuition (1.5x the in-state tuition rate) · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: Minimum cumulative 3.0 HS GPA to apply; recipients routinely have 3.8+ · SAT: Not required · ACT: Not required
Eligibility: Students from WUE states (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY, CNMI); competitive; must be admitted first and apply via Cat $cholarships by Jan 8, 2026. ~1,000 offers/year.
Renewal: Renewable four years with a 2.5 cumulative GPA, 15+ credits/semester, non-resident status, and continuous enrollment. Exact value set in May at the Board of Regents meeting.
Other terms: MSU's second-highest-value award; value equals 1.5x in-state tuition (~$21,000 off non-resident tuition in Fall 2025). NOT stackable with Achievement Awards — the greater-value award is granted. The 2026-27 WUE application is now closed.
https://www.montana.edu/admissions/scholarships/nonresidents/index.html
