Getting a quality higher education does not have to break the bank.

Paying for College Montana Western offers our experiential learning at a cost you can afford, which means our students get more personal attention and more hands-on learning for a fraction of the cost of other regional universities.

There are also many opportunities for financial aid and a host of scholarships and grants available for students. Don't let the cost of college deter you from getting the education you deserve.

The popular Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship can significantly defray the cost of tuition for qualifying out-of-state students.

Our admissions and financial aid offices are here to help guide you through the process.

The Financial Aid Office of Montana Western can help you cover college expenses every step of the way.

Just follow these steps to get started.

Fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The priority deadline for financial aid is March 1.
Put Montana Western’s Title IV School Code on your FAFSA. Our code is 002537.
Electronically sign and submit your FAFSA and it will be sent to our Financial Aid Office.
When we receive your processed FAFSA we will send you a letter containing a check list and any additional forms your file requires.
Once your paperwork is complete we will process your aid. Some student files are selected for verification by the Department of Education and are audited by the Financial Aid Office.
Fully processing your financial aid will take several weeks to complete; please be patient, it is vital that your FAFSA and other paperwork are looked at thoroughly.
When your aid is processed you will receive a postcard and an e-mail notifying you that your award letter is ready to view and sign online. All awards are sent electronically and must be signed electronically. Instructions on how to sign your award letter will be printed on the postcard and e-mail.
If the aid you receive does not cover all of your college costs, please contact the Financial Aid Office for outside funding options.
If you have not received and signed an award letter before school starts, you will be required to pay your bill in full and then be reimbursed by financial aid when your aid is fully processed. We advise that you consider this and apply for financial aid early so that it will be processed by the beginning of August.

In addition to applying for financial aid, you should begin your application for admission to UMW here.

For Certificate Program Disclosures and Gainful Employment Information click here.

2012/2013 Cost of Attendance

Looking at the price of attending college can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, these are estimated semester costs and there are many ways to cover the expenses of college. Montana Western is the best academic value in the state. Be sure to check out all the financial aid options Montana Western offers.

Resident

Resident	Semester Costs
Resident	Freshman/Sophomore	Junior/Senior
Tuition	$1,545.00	$2,154.00
Mandatory Fees	$509.50	$509.50
On-Campus: Room[1]	$1,155.00	$1,155.00
Meal Plan (Board)[2]	$1,874.00	$1,874.00
Total Cost of Attendance:	$5,083.50	$5,692.50
UMW Student Health Insurance[3]	$953.00	$953.00
Off-Campus: Room & Board[1]	$3,210.00	$3,210.00
Books (estimated)	$462.50	$462.50
Misc.: transportation, course fees, sundries	$1,173.00	$1,173.00

Non-Resident

Non-Resident	Semester Costs
Non-Resident	Freshman/Sophomore	Junior/Senior
Tuition	$6,669.00	$6,863.40
Mandatory Fees	$545.00	$545.00
On-Campus: Room[1]	$1,155.00	$1,155.00
Meal Plan (Board)[2]	$1,874.00	$1,874.00
Total Cost of Attendance:	$10,243.50	$10,437.90
UMW Student Health Insurance[3]	$953.00	$953.00
Off-Campus: Room & Board[1]	$3,210.00	$3,210.00
Books (estimated)	$462.50	$462.50
Misc.: transportation, course fees, sundries	$1,173.00	$1,173.00

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Resident	Semester Costs
Resident	Freshman/Sophomore	Junior/Senior
Tuition	$2,317.20	$3,230.40
Mandatory Fees	$545.50	$545.50
On-Campus: Room[1]	$1,155.00	$1,155.00
Meal Plan (Board)[2]	$1,874.00	$1,874.00
Total Cost of Attendance:	$5,891.70	$6,804.90
UMW Student Health Insurance[3]	$953.00	$953.00
Off-Campus: Room & Board[1]	$3,210.00	$3,210.00
Books (estimated)	$462.50	$462.50
Misc.: transportation, course fees, sundries	$1,173.00	$1,173.00

Cost Comparison

Annual Residency	Annual Tuition	Annual Fees
Montana Resident (freshman/sophomore)	$3,090.00	$1,019.00
Out of State Resident (freshman/sophomore)	$13,338.00	$1,091.00
WUE Qualifier (freshman/sophomore)	$4,634.40	$1,091.00

Montana College 2009-2010	Yearly Cost of Tuition and Fees for Undergraduate Montana Residents
Montana Western	$4,109
MSU-Northern	$4,816
University of Montana	$5,775
Montana State University	$6,710
Rocky Mountain College	$22,442
Carroll College	$26,004

Net Price Calculator

Click here to estimate your net price for attendance.

Montana Western offers several ways to help you afford the cost of higher education.

State and Federal Grants

Grants, or "gift aid," are monies a student does not have to pay back or earn by working. Grants are awarded based on a family's demonstrated financial need according to the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) results. Grants may include: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Montana Higher Education Grants (MHEG), and Baker Grants.

Student Loans

Federal Direct Loans are monies borrowed and paid back. Students and parents may borrow through the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Parent PLUS Loan programs.

Scholarships

Scholarships are also a type of "gift aid," or monies a student receives based on academic achievement and other factors such as residency, affiliations and talent. Scholarships may include: Montana Western scholarship for academic achievement, athletic scholarship, Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarship, Governor's Scholarship, and the State of Montana Honors Scholarship. Scholarships may also be available in your community.

Click here for information on new student scholarships.
Click here for information on returning student scholarships.
The full tuition Chancellor's Leadership Scholars' Award is a unique scholarship for Montana students. For more information, please contact UMW Admissions at admissions@umwestern.edu or (877) 683-7331.
Click here to begin your scholarship application process.

Work Study

Work study is a work program in which a student is employed in an on-campus job and earns a monthly paycheck. Students may work approximately 10 hours per week. Federal work study is awarded to students who demonstrate need via the FAFSA. State work study is awarded to Montana residents and is not based on need. Work study is awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, and funding is limited.

WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange)

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a scholarship program in which students in eligible states can receive a scholarship valued at over $7,500 annually. Please click here for more information.

Montana Western’s financial aid staff are committed to helping you through the process of paying for college. It may seem stressful now, but you are making an investment in yourself. Don’t let the numbers scare you away from attending college; there are a variety of ways to cover the cost. Your education and future are worth it.

Please contact Montana Western’s Financial Aid Office with any questions or concerns. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are ready to help you. For more information call, write or e-mail:

The University of Montana Western  710 S. Atlantic St.  Dillon, Mont. 59725  phone: (406) 683-7511  fax: (406) 683-7510  toll free call: (866) 869-6668  e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.