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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

University of Montana
Decision sheet

Montana · Research checked 2026-06-03 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

UM's automatic UMAAS scholarship pays on a published high-school-GPA grid that differs sharply by residency ($1,000-$4,000 in-state vs $5,000-$18,000 out-of-state), but it's a tuition-only award that you forfeit if you take the WUE discount or establish Montana residency.

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.

UM Academic Achievement Scholarship (UMAAS) — In-State Incoming Freshman Grid

$1,000-$4,000 · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: Unweighted cumulative high school GPA (see grid)

Eligibility: Montana resident undergraduate pursuing first bachelor's; must submit unofficial HS transcript; apply by March 1

Renewal: Renewable for four years; must enroll in 15 credits each semester (or 30 credits/academic year) and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 at the end of spring. Forfeited if not continuously enrolled, if transferring to Missoula or Bitterroot College, or becoming online-only. Not available in summer.

Other terms: Tuition-designated (applies only to tuition). Grid: 3.95+ = $4,000; 3.5-3.94 = $3,000; 3.0-3.49 = $2,000; 2.7-2.99 = $1,000.

https://www.umt.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-new-students/umaas.php

UMAAS — Out-of-State Incoming Freshman Grid

$5,000-$18,000 · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: Unweighted cumulative high school GPA (see grid)

Eligibility: Out-of-state (or international) undergraduate pursuing first bachelor's; submit unofficial HS transcript; apply by March 1

Renewal: Renewable for four years; 15 credits/semester (or 30/year) and 2.5 cumulative GPA at end of spring. Forfeited if not continuously enrolled, if transferring to Missoula College, if AWARDED THE WUE, if you ESTABLISH MONTANA RESIDENCY, or become online-only.

Other terms: Tuition-designated. Grid: 3.95+ = $18,000; 3.75-3.949 = $16,000; 3.35-3.749 = $14,000; 3.00-3.349 = $12,500; 2.99 and below = $5,000.

https://www.umt.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-new-students/umaas.php

UMAAS — In-State Transfer Grid

$1,500-$2,500 · Published range

Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.

GPA: Unweighted cumulative college GPA (see grid)

Eligibility: Montana-resident transfer pursuing first bachelor's; apply by March 1

Renewal: Renewability based on transfer credits accepted: 0-29 credits = four years, 30-59 = three years, 60+ = two years. Must maintain 2.5 cumulative GPA and 15 credits/semester.

Other terms: Grid: 3.5+ = $2,500; 3.25-3.499 = $2,000; 3.0-3.249 = $1,500.

https://www.umt.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-new-students/umaas.php

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: UMAAS is tuition-designated: it can only be applied to tuition and cannot be combined with any other full-tuition waiver. If a student holds multiple tuition-designated awards, the total of all tuition waivers cannot exceed the cost of tuition; UMAAS is reduced or canceled if the student receives another tuition waiver or third-party tuition coverage. Out-of-state UMAAS is forfeited entirely if the student is awarded the WUE or establishes Montana residency.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/university-of-montana/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.