Scholarships
The Montana State University Billings Foundation Scholarship Program is designed to attract bright and highly motivated students to Montana State University-Billings. The scholarship program has two goals: to encourage students to remain in the state to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degree programs leading to professional careers, and to make the dream of a college education possible for students of limited financial means.
The Foundation's programs consist of both annual and endowed scholarships. Benefactors to the program have three giving options:
The Pooled Scholarship Fund
Gifts of less than $500 may be placed in the General
Scholarship Fund that awards annual scholarships based on the total
gifts donated during the year; or, may be pooled with an existing
Named Annual Scholarship fund. The Pooled Scholarship Fund gives
benefactors who are unable to fund their own scholarships the
opportunity to be part of the Scholarship Program.
Named Annual Scholarships
Benefactors pledging $500 annually enjoy the opportunity
of naming their scholarship in honor of family members, businesses,
etc. Benefactors may also design their own criteria including
variables such as grade point expectations, geographical preferences,
financial need, and academic course of study. These scholarships often
reflect the values and priorities of the contributors. Annual
scholarships are continued at the discretion of the benefactor.
Named Endowed Scholarships
A major goal of the Scholarship Program is to create endowed funds as
a permanent source of financial support for students in future years.
The Named Endowments also offer benefactors great flexibility in
criteria, selection, and administration. Named Endowments require a
minimum investment of $10,000 that may be given in one sum or paid
over five years in annual contributions. Once the $10,000 level is
reached, the endowment provides annual awards based on the
Foundation’s 4.5% distribution policy with keeps the base value of the
gift intact to produce scholarships in perpetuity.
To apply for scholarships, please click here.
2010 Chancellor Scholars
The Chancellor’s Excellence Awards are Montana State University Billings’ most prestigious scholarship awards, recognizing academic achievement as well as leadership qualities. Each spring, the Chancellor’s Excellence Awards are awarded to high-achieving freshmen entering Montana State University Billings for the upcoming fall. Recipients receive $3,000 per academic year. Chancellor’s Scholars who meet or exceed all award criteria may have their awards renewed for four years for a maximum award of $12,000. Chancellor’s Scholars are the best and brightest at Montana State University Billings: today’s campus leaders and tomorrow’s influential citizens.
(click on photo to enlarge)
2011 Chancellor’s Excellence Awards Scholars
Chancellor Rolf Groseth, Emma Guyer, Brianne DePuydt, Audrey Econom, and Sarah Buer
2011 Chancellor’s Excellence Awards Scholars and Haynes Foundation Merit Scholars
(click photo to enlarge)
Front Row: Hannah Sanders, Cassandra Darlinton, Emma Guyer, Sarah Buer, and Sally Weinand
Back Row: Chasmin Haggerty, Leah Minnerath, Brianne Depuydt, Randi Sunford, Audrey Econom, Emily Paffhausen, Kayla Sather, and Chancellor Rolf Groseth
View slideshow of photos from the 2011 Scholarship reception
View slideshow of photos from the 2010 Scholarship reception
View slideshow of photos from the 2009 Scholarship reception
From our previous scholarship recipients...
It is difficult for me to adequately express my appreciation for the gift you have given me. I am humbled by your confidence in me and my ability to succeed. I promise to do all that I can to reach and exceed your expectations and apply your contributions to my education effectively. I hope that in the future you will continue to offer this scholarship in order to allow others the same opportunity you have given me. Thank you for your great generosity.
Rachel Chevalier
Wine Festival Recognition Scholarship
I will need to pay for most of my college expenses on my own. I will do so by working part-time, applying for scholarships, applying for financial aid and applying for student loans. My parents are willing to help, but they have several financial obligations. My older sisters are also both currently attending college. By awarding me the Hole Nursing Endowed Scholarship you have lightened my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. Thank you again for your generosity.
Heather Gauthier
Hole Nursing Endowed Scholarship
I will be the first member of my immediate family to graduate from a college in the traditional sense, and my graduation means not only a lot to me, but my family who has stood behind and helped me each step of the way. My career plans lead me in the direction of starting my own law practice with emphasis on corporate and business law. I hope to come back to Billings after I’m done with my education in order to better the community I enjoy being a part of. Thanks to your gift, I am one step closer to achieving my educational and career goals. By being awarded the Tim & Kathy Schruth College of Business Endowed Scholarship my financial burden has been lightened. I hope one day I can help students achieve their goals and complete their education just as you have helped me. Thank you!
Daniel "Travis” Hutchinson
Tim & Kathy Schruth College of Business Endowed Scholarship
I was just informed that I am a recipient of your scholarship and I am both honored and humbled. This scholarship means so much to me. For one, it gives me confidence that someone else believes in me. But, in practical terms, it will help immensely with college expenses. I have worked most of my life as a chemist; however it took quite a toll on my body. My lungs and hands can no longer do the type of work I have been accustomed to. Because of this, I have chosen to retrain into another field. My goal is to become a CPA and either open my own business, or work with an organization to help them help others in the best possible way. This is a lofty goal as I am a widow and older than I like to admit. However, I believe a person can do anything that she sets her sights on. Thank you so very much for your amazing generosity.
Marilyn Klein
Matz Properties, LLC Endowed Scholarship
A single letter could never express the gratitude that I feel for being chosen for this scholarship. Pursuing a degree at Montana State University Billings has been such a wonderful and enriching experience, and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to do so. The generosity of scholarship programs like this has made it possible for me to pursue a degree without adding significant amounts of debt to myself and my family. School has inspired me in so many ways, and I am looking forward to returning the investment that you are making in me to my community and the world. I can honestly say that it is entirely because of the kindness and generosity of people like you that it has been possible for me to attend MSU Billings. You have changed my life, given me hope, and made an already wonderful experience that much better. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Ian Pickering
Collegiate License Plate Endowed Scholarship
Returning to college as a non-traditional student does present several challenges, not the least of which is that I have my own children to raise and a full-time job to maintain. Some people in my community did not support my decision to go back to school and said it would take too much time away from my children. I have found the opposite is true. While my parents were not able to obtain a college degree, my children are able to watch me as I work toward certification. I believe it is a very good lesson for them to sit down with me every night to do homework together and to talk about our goals. Thank you so much for providing this scholarship and helping me to reach my goal of becoming a certified teacher. As every gift, yours enriches the lives of many more people than the single college student who receives it. Thank you for your generosity!
Andrea Shay
Wine Festival Recognition Scholarship
