Do I need to apply separately for UMAAS?

No — you're automatically considered when you apply for admission, but you must apply by March 1 and submit an unofficial transcript; the amount is set from the GPA on file at admission (you can petition for reconsideration if your GPA improves).

Can I get both UMAAS and the WUE tuition discount?

No. Out-of-state students awarded the WUE forfeit the UMAAS; the two cannot be combined.

What do I need to renew UMAAS?

A cumulative 2.5 GPA at the end of spring and 15 credits each semester (or 30 credits per academic year); renewable up to four years for freshmen (fewer years for transfers based on credits accepted).

University of Montana award rules

Will the scholarship last four years at University of Montana?

We pulled the school’s grade, credit, and time limits into one place so you can see what it takes to keep the award.

Verified Jun 20263 months ago

The short answer

5 of 5 published awards are listed as renewable.

The exact rule can change by award. Check the award your student may receive before you count on the same amount every year.

What to do

Find the award name in the full research below. Save its grade, credit, and deadline rules with your college plan.

See every award rule, common mistake, and source

At a glance

Renewable tiers: 5 of 5
One-time tiers: 0
Tiers with published renewal terms: 5
Renewal risk profile: high

Renewal risk profile

University of Montana's top merit tiers carry renewal floors at or above 3.5 cumulative GPA, which is above the median freshman college GPA at most US flagships. A single rough semester can knock a four-year award out without a published reinstatement path. Plan year-one course load with renewal in mind, not just first-year survival.

UM Academic Achievement Scholarship (UMAAS) — In-State Incoming Freshman Grid: See notes
UMAAS — Out-of-State Incoming Freshman Grid: 2.5 GPA
UMAAS — In-State Transfer Grid: 2.5 GPA
UMAAS — Out-of-State Transfer Grid: 2.5 GPA
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Tuition Discount: See notes

Renewal terms by tier

UM Academic Achievement Scholarship (UMAAS) — In-State Incoming Freshman Grid
$1,000-$4,000
Entry requirements: Unweighted cumulative high school GPA (see grid) GPA
To keep it: 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.
Source: 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
Entry requirements: Unweighted cumulative high school GPA (see grid) GPA
To keep it: 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.
Source: https://www.umt.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-new-students/umaas.php
UMAAS — In-State Transfer Grid
$1,500-$2,500
Entry requirements: Unweighted cumulative college GPA (see grid) GPA
To keep it: 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.
Source: https://www.umt.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-new-students/umaas.php
UMAAS — Out-of-State Transfer Grid
$0-$12,500
Entry requirements: Unweighted cumulative college GPA (see grid) GPA
To keep it: Renewability based on transfer credits accepted (0-29 = four years, 30-59 = three years, 60+ = two years); 2.5 cumulative GPA and 15 credits/semester. Same out-of-state forfeiture rules (WUE/residency/online-only).
Source: https://www.umt.edu/student-financial-services/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-new-students/umaas.php
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Tuition Discount
Reduced WUE tuition rate (~$13,718 tuition+fees/yr 2026-27)
To keep it: WUE recipients must take 15 or more credits per semester.
Source: https://umontana.edu/how-to-apply/tuition-costs.php

How families lose this aid

Trying to take both the WUE discount and the UMAAS
For out-of-state students the two are mutually exclusive — being awarded the WUE forfeits the UMAAS. You must compare net cost under each path and choose one.
Establishing Montana residency to lower tuition without checking the scholarship effect
An out-of-state UMAAS recipient who establishes Montana residency forfeits the UMAAS (which can be $5,000-$18,000/yr), potentially a net loss versus keeping non-resident status.
Coasting below 15 credits or a 2.5 GPA
Renewal requires 15 credits each semester (or 30/year) and a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the end of spring; the award won't even disburse in a semester until you're enrolled in 15+ credits, and it isn't available in summer.

Renewal questions families ask

Do I need to apply separately for UMAAS?: No — you're automatically considered when you apply for admission, but you must apply by March 1 and submit an unofficial transcript; the amount is set from the GPA on file at admission (you can petition for reconsideration if your GPA improves).
Can I get both UMAAS and the WUE tuition discount?: No. Out-of-state students awarded the WUE forfeit the UMAAS; the two cannot be combined.
What do I need to renew UMAAS?: A cumulative 2.5 GPA at the end of spring and 15 credits each semester (or 30 credits per academic year); renewable up to four years for freshmen (fewer years for transfers based on credits accepted).

Rules that bite at University of Montana

The renewal trip wires we'd flag in a custom playbook, derived from University of Montana's own tier rules and not generic advice.

Renewal ruleUM Academic Achievement Scholarship (UMAAS) — In-State Incoming Freshman Grid: renewal floor that quietly knocks awards out
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. A single rough term can end a four-year award here without warning if the GPA floor isn't met cumulatively.

How University of Montana compares across our verified dataset

665 of 749 verified schools publish at least one four-year renewable merit award.
University of Montana is one of them. The cohort minority (84 schools) only awards one-year scholarships, which means the four-year value families assume on a brochure quote isn't guaranteed at every school.

Sources used on this page

Every renewal claim is checked against University of Montana’s own published materials.

Policy pageUniversity of Montana stacking policy
Cost of attendanceUniversity of Montana cost-of-attendance worksheet
Scholarship pagePayne Family Impact Scholarship
Scholarship pageGrizzly Promise