College is an investment. Even at the University of Montana, where we have some of the most competitive tuition rates in the nation, there’s a price to pay for the advancement that our higher education affords. One of the best things you can do before committing your time and money towards college is to understand all the ways to make your education fit your budget.
Scroll below to learn more about how you can start earning discounted college credits in high school, how to apply for maximum scholarships, and the many UM resources that enable you to graduate with minimum debt:
Dual Enrollment
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Dual Enrollment is the process of earning college credits while you’re still in high school. This can be done by taking Advance Placement (AP) classes in your high school, taking college classes online, or in some cases, taking pre-college classes on college campuses.
Taking college classes in high school has many advantages. It allows you to get a feel for college-level courses, it can fulfill general elective credits you’d like to get out of the way, and perhaps more relevantly, it allows you to earn valuable college credits at an extremely discounted rate.
Read More: How I Saved with Dual Enrollment
Fill Out the FAFSA
After graduating high school, and before your first day on a college campus, one of the first steps toward saving money on college is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid – better known as the FAFSA.
Filling out this application qualifies students for federal aid based on need. Federal aid can come in the form of grants, loans or work-study. The amount you receive is determined by your family’s financial information from the most recent tax year.
The FAFSA typically opens on Oct. 1 each year, meaning you can fill out the FAFSA for your first year of college while you’re still a senior in high school. It is a pretty straightforward process and fairly simple if you come prepared with your and your guardian’s tax forms from last year.
Read More: UM’s Top Five Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA
Other Scholarship Opportunities
The FAFSA is a great foundation for receiving financial aid, but it’s by far not the only option. After filling out the FAFSA and being admitted to UM, check out UM’s Scholarship Portal. Filling out the single application in UM’s Scholarship Portal automatically applies you to hundreds of scholarship opportunities across campus, regardless of your major or program of study.
Don’t forget to seek out other scholarship opportunities from organizations not affiliated with UM, such as businesses, nonprofits, clubs and those offered to qualifying members of tribes. UM’s Office of External Scholarships is a centralized resource to find, apply for and receive these types of scholarships, and they are there to help you every step of the way.
Read More: UM’s External Scholarships Office (Plus Scholarships to Apply For)
Did you know? UM offers automatic scholarships based on your high school G.P.A.
The University of Montana Academic Achievement Scholarship (UMAAS) automatically grants yearly scholarships as long as you maintain 15 credit hours a semester and remain in good academic standing. Scholarships vary between in-state and out-of-state students, with caps of $4,000 and $18,000 annual scholarships for high school G.P.A.s of 3.95 or higher.
Financial Resources for UM Students
Harold and Priscilla Gilkey Building - UM's Admission Office
You don’t have to go at it alone. The University of Montana has several professionals and resources dedicated to making navigating the costs behind college easy, or at least more straightforward. Check out these resources to help you along the way:
Admissions at the University of Montana
The University of Montana’s Admissions Office is here to help you succeed and find the best pathways for you to get a life-changing education. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Admissions and get connected with a counselor who can answer your financial aid questions or direct you to the right person.
- Admissions Website: umt.edu/admissions
- Admissions Email: admiss@umontana.edu
- Admissions Phone: (406) 243-6266
Student Financial Services
UM’s Office of Financial Aid, also known as Student Financial Services, is a one-stop shop for all questions regarding financial aid – from the FAFSA to automatic scholarships and questions about your bill. If you’re in Missoula, stop in and get personalized help. Otherwise, reach out by phone or email to get someone on the line who can answer all your questions.
- Student Financial Services Location: 5th Floor, Aber Hall
- Student Financial Services Website: umt.edu/student-financial-services
- Student Financial Services Email: faid@mso.umt.edu
- Student Financial Services Phone: (406) 243-5373
Financial Education Program
UM offers a Financial Aid Program that has consistently been ranked among the top financial literacy programs in the nation. It offers workshops, education and tutorials on paying for college, student loan forgiveness, budgeting and a whole array of financial tidbits. Check out the program yourself:
Student Loans
Funding that you never have to pay back – such as grants, scholarships and work study – are usually the best places to start finding extra money for college, but loans can also be a good idea when done carefully. Just make sure to borrow as little money as possible so you can comfortably repay it in the future.
There are many options to consider when taking out a loan. The federal government provides funding for federal direct loans, with repayment being made to a federal loan servicer. The federal government also provides funding for federal Perkins loans, but repayment is made to UM.
