Montana State University Billings is pleased to announce our new Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship designed to recognize students for their high school academic achievement. These scholarships will be granted to first-time freshmen who demonstrate academic promise based on past academic performance. 

The MSU Billings Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship are automatic awards based upon high school GPA. University Campus award amounts vary between $1,000 - $3,000 annually and City College award amounts vary between $500 - $1000. Awards are renewable for two or four years. All freshmen who submit an application for admission, complete with GPA provided on the Self Report Form will be automatically considered. Final high school transcripts are required to confirm the high school GPA  and scholarship before fall classes begin.

Beginning with the fall class of 2023, the new Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship is renewable for those who are enrolled full time and remain in good academic standing.

University Campus
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
3.95 and Above

3.949 - 3.65

3.649 - 2.85
$3,000 $2,000 $1,000

 

City College Campus
Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3
3.95 and Above

3.949 - 3.65

3.649 - 2.85
$1,000 $500 N/A

*YES may not be combined with MSU staff tuition waivers, Explore Montana awards; international students are encouraged to visit the International MSUB Students page  for scholarship opportunities.

A completed FAFSA is required for YES disbursement.

This information is relevant for students beginning the Fall 2024 academic year. Unless otherwise noted, awards listed are for the academic year and not by semester.

MSUB is committed to the success of students from Montana, out-of-state residents, and WUE students. That's why we're proud to offer the Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship, a financial pledge to benefit incoming first-year students beginning college.

Our financial commitment to you depends upon your unweighted high school GPA, and has three levels (see grid above).

YES is a merit-based scholarship determined by a student's unweighted GPA and automatically renews for those who remain full-time, degree-seeking, and making satisfactory academic progress Funding of this commitment is contingent on the completion of the general application and required documentation/transcripts.

To be considered for the Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship, students must be admitted to MSUB:

The award amount is subject to change upon receipt of your 7th-semester transcripts or your final official high school transcript.

Eligibility

  • The Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship is only available to first-time, full-time, degree seeking students seeking their first associate or bachelor's degree.

Compliance

  • Students must maintain full-time continuous enrollment in MSUB courses (12 semester hours) during the Fall and Spring semesters each year. YES is not available during the summer semester.
  • Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA (evaluated at the end of each Spring semester) and remain in good academic standing.

GED & Homeschool Applicants

Students who have completed their GED or homeschool requirements will be awarded based on GED/HiSET or ACT/SAT or advanced placement scores. The same considerations and eligibility requirements described above apply.

Additional Terms & Conditions

YES scholarships are not deferrable and will be awarded to you for a specific start term that matches the start term on your application for admission. YES scholarships and GPA parameters may be subject to change in future years.

When you receive financial aid at the Montana State University Billings (MSUB), there are important conditions for you to understand before you accept your awards. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (OFA&S) requires you to confirm acknowledgment of the student financial aid terms and conditions each academic year. The terms and conditions apply to all student financial aid, regardless of source (e.g., federal, state, or institutional), including grants, scholarships, fellowships, loans, and work-study awards.