Governor’s ‘Best and Brightest’ Scholarship Program – High School Merit

Awarded By:

Montana University System

Number of Awards & Eligibility: The number of awards offered varies annually. Each accredited Montana high school with a qualified applicant will be awarded one Merit Scholarship.

Description: This scholarship is available for Montana high school seniors who plan to attend a two- or four-year Montana college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, or an SAT score of 1440 or higher (math and reading sections only), or an ACT score of 20 or higher.

Application requirements for the Governor’s ‘Best and Brightest’ Scholarship Program – High School Merit are:

• Application form
• Official Transcript
• ACT/SAT score
• College acceptance letter

Additional Information: The Governor's Best and Brightest Scholarships provide Montana residents with greater access to Montana's postsecondary institutions and Montana's tribal colleges, through scholarship grants based on academic achievement and financial need. The goal of these scholarships is to relieve student debt burdens, allowing more Montanans to stay in the state upon graduation. The Governor's Best and Brightest Scholarship Program is divided into 3 scholarships: High School Merit scholarships, Merit-at-Large scholarships and Need-Based scholarships. Each scholarship is administered in a different way. The High School Merit scholarships are awarded to graduating high school students who plan to attend either a two-year or four-year institution. Each student must meet the following criteria: has not been awarded a Montana University System Honor Scholarship; has met the Title IV selective service requirements (if male); is not in default on a Title IV or state of Montana education loan; does not owe a refund to a federal Title IV or state of Montana student financial aid program; is not incarcerated; is seeking a first certificate, associate's, or baccalaureate degree.

Award Amount: Students attending a four-year campus will receive $2,000 annually, renewable for up to three additional years. Students who attend a two-year campus will receive $2,000 annually, renewable for up to one additional year. Please note: If a student receives a Merit Scholarship for a two-year campus, then transfers to a four-year school, he/she may petition to extend his/her scholarship to the full eight semesters. In order to renew the scholarship, students must: maintain satisfactory academic progress; continue full-time enrollment; and notify MUS if they transfer to another eligible institution.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $1,268.