Montana's main state programs run through the Montana University System (MUS): the MUS Honor Scholarship, a competitive merit award that waives tuition and fees for top students at MUS campuses, and the Governor's Best and Brightest Scholarship Program, which offers high school merit awards (about $2,000 a year, renewable), merit-at-large awards, and need-based awards. You apply through your school and the FAFSA, with a March 15 deadline for some Best and Brightest awards.
If your student attends a Montana University System campus, these programs can lower the cost. Here is how they work for 2026-27.
What state financial aid does Montana offer?
Montana's main programs are the merit-based MUS Honor Scholarship and the Governor's Best and Brightest Scholarship Program, both run through the Montana University System. The Honor Scholarship rewards the top graduates from each high school, while Best and Brightest includes merit and need-based tracks.
These work alongside federal aid like the Pell Grant. For how the federal pieces fit together, see our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide.
What is the MUS Honor Scholarship?
The MUS Honor Scholarship is a competitive merit award that generally waives tuition and registration fees at Montana University System campuses for four years. Students are ranked within each high school using a composite of GPA (a 3.4 GPA or higher is required to be ranked) and ACT or SAT scores, and the highest scorers statewide receive the award.
Because it can waive tuition and fees, the Honor Scholarship is one of Montana's most valuable awards. You apply through your high school and college during senior year.
What is the Governor's Best and Brightest Scholarship Program?
The Governor's Best and Brightest Scholarship Program has three tracks. The High School Merit scholarship pays about $2,000 a year, renewable for up to four years, for students with at least a 3.0 GPA, a 1440 SAT (math and reading), or a 20 ACT. The Merit-at-Large track is open to a wider range of students, including current college students, adults, and home-schooled students. The Need-Based track is awarded through your college using the FAFSA.
Because there are merit and need-based paths, many Montana students qualify for at least one. Some awards, such as Merit-at-Large, use a March 15 deadline. For how scholarships fit a full plan, see our guide to paying for college.
How do you apply for Montana state aid?
You apply through your high school and college for the Honor Scholarship and Best and Brightest merit awards, and by filing the FAFSA for need-based aid. Watch deadlines closely, since some Best and Brightest awards close March 15. File the FAFSA early too.
Your step-by-step path:
- File the FAFSA for need-based aid and federal aid.
- Apply through your high school and college for the Honor Scholarship and Best and Brightest merit awards.
- Confirm your Montana residency and rules at the Montana University System.
- Track your college's own aid deadlines.
Your next step
Montana's Honor Scholarship can waive tuition for top students, and the Best and Brightest program adds merit and need-based awards, so keep your grades strong and watch the deadlines. File the FAFSA, apply through your school, and confirm which track fits your student. Read our complete 2026-27 financial aid guide for the federal side, then create your free CollegeLens plan to see your real cost at each Montana school.
You're doing the hard, smart work of claiming every program your state offers. That is how Montana families make college more affordable.
-- Sravani at CollegeLens