Frequently Asked Questions
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The For Montana Scholarship Initiative is a landmark fundraising effort designed to help more Montana-resident students access a UM education and build their futures in communities across the state.
The initiative is a call to action for alumni, businesses, foundations and friends of the University to invest in Montana’s future by creating and supporting new renewable scholarships for Montana residents. Managed by the UM Foundation, the initiative seeks to inspire unprecedented private support that helps Montana-resident students pursue a UM education and earn certifications and degrees.
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For more detailed information about the initiative, visit ForMontana.org.
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A renewable scholarship is an award that can be renewed annually until a student completes their academic program. Unlike a one-time scholarship, it offers ongoing support throughout a student's education, helping reduce financial barriers and support certification and degree completion.
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The initiative comes at a pivotal time for both Montana-resident students and the state.
Many students face financial barriers that can limit their access to higher education or make it difficult to complete a certificate or degree. At the same time, employers and communities across Montana need more skilled graduates to meet growing workforce demands in fields such as health care, education, business, technology, skilled trades and public service.
Through the For Montana Scholarship Initiative, UM and the UM Foundation are inviting donors to help expand scholarship support to ensure a UM education is attainable for Montana residents.
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Affordability remains one of the most significant obstacles to higher education for many Montana-resident students.
By giving to the For Montana Scholarship Initiative and reducing financial barriers, donors can help more students earn a certificate or degree, pursue meaningful careers and contribute to Montana’s long-term prosperity.
Many families continue to face challenges covering tuition, housing, food, books and other educational expenses, including middle-income families who don’t qualify for substantial federal aid but still struggle to meet college costs.
In fiscal year 2026, donors helped provide more than $8.4 million in privately funded scholarships through the UM Foundation, benefitting thousands of students. Yet, the need for scholarship assistance continues to significantly exceed available resources. The For Montana Scholarship Initiative seeks to expand that support so more students can enroll, persist to graduation and contribute their talents to Montana.
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Alumni, businesses, foundations and friends of UM can support the Initiative by making a gift or pledge to fund scholarships for Montana-resident students.
Donors may contribute online here.
Contributions to the For Montana Scholarship Initiative will be immediately available for the University to award to students. Contributions to the For Montana Scholarship Initiative Endowment will be invested, and distributions from the endowed fund will annually support scholarships for Montana students in perpetuity.
The Foundation also welcomes gifts through donor-advised funds, publicly traded securities, qualified charitable distributions from an IRA, planned gifts, multi-year pledges, or other giving vehicles. To learn more about giving opportunities, please call 800-443-2593 or email giving@supportum.org.
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Yes.
All gifts designated to the For Montana Scholarship Initiative are used exclusively to support scholarships for Montana-resident students. Scholarships are awarded to students by the University of Montana.
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Montana residency is determined by the University of Montana in accordance with the Residency Policy established by the Montana University System Board of Regents.
Additional information is available through the University’s Residency Requirements.
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The For Montana Scholarship Initiative directly advances UM’s commitment to serve students and serve the state of Montana.
By supporting scholarships for Montana residents, donors help expand educational opportunity, strengthen student success and develop a dynamic workforce to meet Montana's future economic and community needs.
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Donors to the For Montana Scholarship Initiative will receive acknowledgement from the UM Foundation and updates highlighting the impact of their support of Montana-resident students.
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The UM Foundation is an independent, nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status that has inspired philanthropic support to enhance excellence and opportunity at the University of Montana since 1950.
The UM Foundation helps donors achieve their charitable goals by connecting them with meaningful giving opportunities, stewarding their gifts and demonstrating the impact of their philanthropy. The UM Foundation also manages private fundraising efforts, donations and investment of endowed gifts that support the University’s mission and students.
Learn more at SupportUM.org.