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Scholarships

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA

The University of Montana Native American Studies department is committed to the academic success and achievement among of all Native American students on campus. Because of that commitment, donors to The University of Montana have entrusted NAS with the responsibility of administering scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students studying all disciplines. Currently, NAS is responsible for overseeing 25 scholarships, some of which have unique criteria set forth by their donor. Although the scholarships are diverse, only one application packet is necessary. Each applicant will be considered for all scholarships he/she is eligible to receive. All Native American students enrolled or planning to enroll at The University of Montana are encouraged to apply.

Scholarship Requirements

  • Applicants must be admitted to The University of Montana—Missoula or Missoula-College of Technology.
  • Returning students are required to be enrolled full-time. New students will be required to complete the New Student Orientation process and enroll full-time for the Autumn Semester.
  • Students must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average to be considered for a scholarship.

Application Procedure

Applications and instructions for completing the application can be downloaded from this website at www.umt.edu/nas, picked up at the Native American Studies building, or mailed to an applicant upon request. Scholarships are merit based and competitive. Completed application packets should include the following:

  • Completed and signed application form.
  • 1 letter of recommendation from a non-relative who can comment on your academic potential and provide examples of your abilities.*
  • 2-page essay following the format outlined in the application checklist. *
  • Completed Activities and Honors Grid. Please list all Extracurricular Activities, Community or Volunteer Services, Awards and Honors received.
  • Current transcripts (may be unofficial).
  • Verification of tribal enrollment or descendency.

Please note that 3 scholarships have unique essay and letter of recommendation requirements. See below for list of scholarships and special requirements.

Deadline

Deadline All application materials must be post marked or delivered to NAS on or before MARCH 1 of each year. Please submit completed application packets to:

Native American Studies
The University of Montana
600 University Avenue
Missoula, MT 59812
Questions?
Call (406) 243-5834


Download Application: PDF | Word

K. W. Bergan Scholarship

Awarded to enrolled members or children of enrolled members of any Montana Tribe attending full-time.

George M. and Jane I Dennison Scholarship*

Awarded to an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. Requirements include at least a 3.0 grade point average, involvement in extra-curricular activities (including cultural activities), taking 16 credits per semester, and a 5-10 page essay about issues facing the Salish and Kootenai and how the applicant’s education will address those issues.

Ralph E. and Hulda M. Fields Scholarship

Awarded to Native American students with exceptional grade point averages who are attending full-time and studying forestry, journalism, law or pharmacy.

Dennis and Gretchen Eck Scholarship

Awarded with preference to an enrolled member or child of an enrolled member of the Assiniboine Nation. The recipient is required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled for 14 credit hours as an upperclassman or maintain a 2.5 grade point average or better and be enrolled in 12 credit hours as a freshman.

Marion E. Garess Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American student attending full-time.

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C.I. Furry Family Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American student attending full-time.

Bonnie Heavy Runner Scholarship

Awarded to Native American students who are studying Law and/or Native American Studies.

Francis and Florence Jones Greaves Scholarship

Awarded to Native American students of Montana origin attending full-time. Preference is given to incoming freshmen.

Peter Left Hand Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American student who is from Montana.

Anna Marie Lucas Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American students attending full-time.

Hileman Family Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American student who is enrolled full-time and shows promise and determination.

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Alan P. Merriam Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American undergraduate or graduate student enrolled full-time and demonstrates an interest in Native American Studies/ issues.

Carl McFarland Scholarship

Awarded to Native American students who are Montana residents.

Viola O’Connor Scholarship

Awarded to Native American graduate and undergraduate students attending full time.

Don McGonigle Scholarship

Awarded to enrolled members of an American Indian Tribe.

George Pease Scholarship

Awarded to enrolled members of Montana tribes with Montana residency. The recipients must demonstrate scholastic ability and have financial need.

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Earl Old Person Scholarship*

Awarded to an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe who is a recent high school graduate or a transfer student from Blackfeet Community College. The Recipient must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be involved in extra-curricular activities (including cultural activities). A 5-10 page essay outlining the issues facing the Blackfeet Nation and how the applicant’s education will help address those issues is required. Three letters of recommendation are required: 1 community, 1 academic and 1 cultural.

Albert Price Scholarship

Awarded to Native American students in any field.

Alice M. Phillips Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American student with preference given to a candidate who shows interest in history.

Sappenfield Scholarship

Awarded to Native American graduate students who show promise for professional achievement or community service; preference is given to a psychology student.

Helen Roberti Humanities Graduate Scholarship

Awarded to a graduate student pursing PhD in the humanities with a focus on Native American history, culture or literature.

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Helen Roberti Native American Graduate Scholarship*

Awarded to a full-time graduate student enrolled in or accepted into a graduate or professional degree program at UM in law, education or a field with a Native American Studies focus of study such as anthropology, history or interdisciplinary. The recipient must have a record of high academic achievement and/or potential. The application packet must include two letters of recommendation from former or current professors and a five-page essay describing how your educational & career goals will involve representing and assisting Native Americans in the assertion of their rights, in their receiving a quality education, or in their acquiring other benefits available to other American citizens.

Julia Hendrickson Staffanson Scholarship

Awarded to a Native American student enrolled full-time.

Burt and Eva Spaulding Scholarship

Awarded to Native American undergraduate or graduate students.

Owen D and Ruth Stetson Speer Scholarship

Awarded to a Salish or Kootenai student attending full-time. Preference is given to education majors.

Kate and Russell Stark Memorial Fund

Awarded to Native American graduate students in any field

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