Governor's Postsecondary Scholarship for Montana's "Best and Brightest"

Governor's Postsecondary Scholarship

The purpose of the Governor’s Postsecondary "Best and Brightest" Scholarship is to 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 areas: merit scholarships, at-large scholarships and need-based scholarships. Each scholarship is administered in a different way.

Eligibility Requirements
A student is eligible to receive a scholarship providing the student:
Is a resident of the State of Montana;
Has been accepted by or is enrolled at an eligible Montana postsecondary institution;
For scholarships based on financial need, has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and does not have an expected family contribution (EFC) exceeding the cost of attendance at the postsecondary institution the student will attend.
For scholarships based upon merit, has obtained a high school GPA of at least 3.0 or a score of at least 20 on the ACT or 1440 on the SAT college admission test; and be enrolled full-time at an eligible postsecondary institution;
Has not been awarded a Montana University System Honor Scholarship.
If a male, has met the Title IV selective service requirements.
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.
Seeking a first certificate, associate, or baccalaureate degree.
Enrolled for the next chronological semester or term.

Merit At-Large Scholarship
Students must apply online for the merit-at-large scholarship and submit a completed application to MGSLP no later than March 1, 2009. Late and incomplete application will not be accepted. Applications will be available January 2, 2009.

Non-traditional and home school students are encouraged to apply.

The merit-at-large scholarship can be awarded to students who plan to attend either a 2 or 4 year institution. A student attending a 4 year campus will receive $1,000/semester ($2,000/year) for 8 semesters. Students who attend a 2 year campus will receive $1,000/semester ($2,000/year) for 4 semesters*.

*If a student receiving a merit-at-large scholarship transfers to a 4 year school, they may petition MGSLP to extend their scholarship to the full 8 semesters. Merit-at-large scholarships will be scored by MGSLP and once enrollment has been verified, recipient infromation will be forwarded to the postsecondary institution.

Merit Scholarships
Merit scholarship can be awarded to students who plan to attend either a 2 or 4 year institution. A student attending a 4 year campus will receive $1,000/semester ($2,000/year) for 8 semesters. Students who attend a 2 year campus will receive $1,000/semester ($2,000/year) for 4 semesters*.

*If a student receiving a merit scholarship transfers to a 4 year school before completing their first certificate or associate degree, they may petition MGSLP to extend their scholarship to the full 8 semesters.

Students must demonstrate academic excellence, by having either a 3.0 GPA, or scoring at least 20 on the ACT or 1440 on the SAT.

Recipients are chosen by their designated high school official, utilizing the same methodology as the Montana University System Honor Scholarship

Need-Based Scholarships
Colleges will be allocated need-based awards each year by MGSLP based upon the most recent full time equivalent enrollment (FTE) information provided by financial aid offices to MGSLP for students enrolled in a 2-yr certificate or associate programs. MGSLP will then advise each college of the specific number of general, health science, technology, and trade scholarships it must award. Each institution will receive a minimum of 5 need-based scholarships, regardless of the actual FTE calculation and the financial aid office will be responsible for identifying and awarding scholarships to need-based recipients. Need-based scholarships in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded annually for a maximum of 2 consecutive years. Financial need is the only criteria the scholarship will be based on.

Renewing the Scholarship
To renew the scholarship, students must:
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
Continue Full Time Enrollment (Merit, Merit-at-Large)
Continue to have Financial Need (Need Based)