Veteran Waivers and Scholarships
Montana Univesity System Tuition Waivers
Beginning in the fall semester of 2020, a student who is a member of the Montana National Guard is eligible for a tuition waiver, provided the student:
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- Has applied for the waiver and is a bona fide member of the MT National Guard no later than the third week of the first semester for which the waiver is being requested;
- Is certified as a MT National Guard member in good standing who has completed Initial Entry Training;
- Maintains reasonable academic progress in accordance with the campus’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy used in administering federal financial aid; and
- Has an outstanding tuition balance after applying all other sources of aid.
Waivers for students who meet the criteria above will be applied as LAST DOLLAR awards, up to the total annual cost of in-state tuition only. Thus, individual tuition waiver amounts will vary, depending on the amount of federal grants and all other scholarships received by the student. Montana National Guard members who do not meet the residency requirements provided in BOR Policy 940.1 but meet the criteria above, are eligible for in-state tuition status for purposes of applying the tuition waiver under this policy.
*The waiver covers the remaining tuition balance after ALL other grants and scholarships have been applied toward tuition, and is NOT available for Flat Fee Courses. Please view the example calculation on the Fact Sheet.
An Undergraduate or Graduate student who is a Honorably Discharged Veteran from the United States forces is eligible for a tuition waiver provided the student:
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- Is a resident of the State of Montana (per BOR Policy 940.1) and is attending a MUS qualifying campus;
- Has received an Honorable discharge (Honorable Under General Conditions will not be accepted) for service in active duty for other than training purposes;
- Has elected to become eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits under Title 38, or Title 10, of the U.S. Code but benefits have expired or were exhausted;
- Has applied for the waiver no later than the third week of the first semester for which the waiver is being requested;
- Maintains reasonable academic progress in accordance with the campus’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy used in administering federal financial aid; and
- Has an outstanding tuition balance after applying all other sources of aid.
Waivers for students who meet the criteria above will be applied as LAST DOLLAR awards, up to the total cost of in-state tuition only. Thus, individual tuition waiver amounts will vary, depending on the amount of federal grants and all other scholarships received by the student.
*The waiver covers the remaining tuition balance after ALL other grants and scholarships have been applied toward tuition, and is NOT available for Flat Fee Courses. Please view the example calculation on the Fact Sheet.
A waiver is available, upon approval of the Commissioner of Higher Education, for children aged 25 or less, whose parent(s) served on active duty during World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, the Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts. Such members of the armed forces must have been Montana residents at the time of entry into service, and must have been killed in action or died as a result of combat related injury, disease, or other disability.
The student must be a resident of Montana per BOR Policy 940.1 and must apply for the waiver by the 3rd week of the first semester for which they are requesting the waiver. This Waiver does not waive any fees, cannot be used with other tuition waivers and can only be used towards undergraduate tuition. This tuition waiver remains in effect as long as the student is 25 years of age or under, and maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to the standards detailed by the Financial Aid Office.
*The waiver covers the remaining tuition balance after ALL other grants and scholarships have been applied toward tuition, and is NOT available for Flat Fee Courses. Please view the example calculation on the Fact Sheet.
Federally and State recognized American Indians may be eliglible for a tuition waiver provided the student:
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- Is a resident of the State of Montana (per BOR Policy 940.1) and are attending a MUS qualifying campus.
- Is at least one-quarter (1/4) degree Indian blood; or are an enrolled member of a
state or federally recognized Indian tribe which is located within the boundaries
of the State of Montana. Accepted documentation as follows:
- CIB (Certificate of Indian Blood) letter or card; Tribal Enrollment Card; Form letter(s) documenting descendency that equals ¼ or more; and Document of parent (grandparent) enrollment and/or degree of blood.
- Has demonstrated financial need as defined by the Board of Regents Policy 940.13 (F)(4) and verified by completing the FAFSA application.
*The waiver covers the remaining tuition balance after ALL other grants and scholarships have been applied toward tuition, and is NOT available for Flat Fee Courses. Please view the example calculation on the Fact Sheet.
Additional MUS Waivers can be found at Montana University System Tuition Waivers.
If you’re the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program—also called Chapter 35. Find out if you’re eligible for this benefit.
Students can find out more information by going to Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) program.
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- Monthly payment of up to 36 months
If your parent or spouse died in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001, while serving in the Armed Forces, or was a member of the Selected Reserve who died from a service-connected disability, you may qualify for this benefit. Keep reading to find out if you’re eligible for education benefits through this scholarship.
Students can find out more information by going to Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (Fry Scholarship).
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- 36 months of;
- Monthly housing stipend paid to the student
- $1000.00 annual book stipend
- Tuition and fees paid diredtly to the school
- 36 months of;
MyCAA is a scholarship for military spouses that is very similar to tuition assistance. Eligibility is based on the following criteria;
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- The service member is serving under Title 10 orders.
- The spouse has obtained a high school diploma and is pursuing a certificate or associates degree.
- The service member is one of the following ranks;
- E1-E5
- W1-W2
- O1-O2
Military Spouse Eligibility for MyCAA Scholarship Program (militaryonesource.mil)
Effective December 27, 2021, Troops to Teachers was reauthorized under the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. This program helps service members and veterans become certified and employed as teachers in K-12 schools. You can find more information at Troops to Teachers | DANTES - Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (doded.mil).
Various federal level grant opportunities are available to students, veterans, spouses, and dependents. Often this is money left on the table that could've been used to support your educational pursuits.
Federal Pell Grants | Federal Student Aid
Be retired, honorably discharged, active duty, or a member of the National Guard or Reserve, seperated with or currently hold a military rank of E-5 or below.
Awarded to children of Post 9/11 veterans that either died while on active duty or have a combined VA rating of 50 percent or greater.
Mutiple Options. Check out the site to see if you're eligible!
Scholarships | AMVETS National Site
2023 AMVETS Spouse Scholarship (mykaleidoscope.com)
2023 AMVETS Children/Grandchildren Scholarships (mykaleidoscope.com)
Awarded to members, and spouses or dependant of a PVA member.
Any spouse eligible to hold a military ID. (active or retired service member)
NMFA Military Spouse Scholarships - National Military Family Association
Spouses and college-aged children of service members and Veterans. Spouses- First-time undergraduate degree or certificate. Graduate degrees are not covered.
Spouse of a 100% P&T rating, including individual unemployability.
VA offers multiple scholarship options where students can receive funding in exchange for an obligated period of service with VA.
Veterans Affairs Scholarship Programs
FAQs - Veterans Affairs Scholarship Program
