Native American Financial Aid & Scholarship Guide
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
is a standard form that collects demographic and financial information about a student (and their family). You must complete a new FAFSA every academic year which typically includes the Fall semester and Spring/Summer semesters of the following year.
For example, the 2026-2027 FAFSA will cover the following academic year:
- Fall 2026 (First Term)
- Spring 2027 (Second Term)
*You will have to stop by the Financial Aid Office and fill out a Summer Aid Request Form to see if you have any remaining aid available for Summer semester
What is Financial Aid?
Financial aid is money given to students to help them pay the cost of attendance for their education. It can either come from the federal government, which is the largest provider of aid, state governments, the school itself, or a variety of other public and private sources.
Gift Aid includes scholarships and grants which do not typically have to be repaid. A scholarship can be given to students who have financial need, a special characteristic, skill, talent or ability. Students may have to follow certain guidelines to stay eligible for aid. Most grants are awarded based on financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Self-Help Aid includes work opportunities and loans. The individual takes responsibility for receiving this type of aid by working or eventually paying back the loan. Unsubsidized loans are available to all students. Subsidized loans are available to students who show financial need. To qualify for either loan you must be enrolled in at least six credits. Some state work study options do not require financial need, however, federal work study options do require it. Stop by the Financial Aid Office and fill out a Work Study Request form to see if you qualify for either.
Types of Financial Aid
To apply for any of the following funding sources, you must . Prospective students who apply for financial aid must also apply for admission to MSU Billings before any consideration or decisions on financial aid, including scholarships, can be made.
However, students do not have to be formally accepted to add MSU Billings on to their FAFSA!
Federal Pell Grant: Unlike loans, the Pell Grant does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. In some cases, you may receive a Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. Awards range from $750-$7,395 per academic year.
Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): For undergraduate students with exceptional financial need that is, students with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) the SEOG gives priority to students who received a Pell Grant and does not have to be paid back.
Federal Direct Loan Program: Enables eligible students and parents to borrow from the U.S. Department of Education instead of from a bank or other lending institution. This allows borrowers to work with a single entity when repaying loans or dealing with loan related issues. The Direct Loan program offers a range of flexible repayment options to meet borrowers varied financial circumstances. Repayment does not begin until six months after you graduate, after you stop attending or if you fall below six credit enrollment. The most common loans in this program are the Stafford Subsidized Loan, Stafford Unsubsidized Loan and Parent PLUS Loan:
- Subsidized loans are awarded to students on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods.
- Unsubsidized loans are not awarded on the basis of need. You'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.
- Parent PLUS Loans are an additional option for parents that require a separate application from the initial FAFSA.
American Indian Tuition Waiver: The Montana University System American Indian Tuition Waiver may waive tuition for eligible Montana resident students who demonstrate financial need.
Beginning Fall 2026, students may qualify if they:
- Are a Montana resident attending an eligible Montana University System campus
- Are an enrolled member or a tribally certified descendant of a federally recognized Indian tribe located within the boundaries of Montana
- Complete the FAFSA each academic year they are requesting the waiver
- Demonstrate financial need as defined by Montana Board of Regents policy.
Accepted documentation may include:
- Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB)
- tribal enrollment card
- tribal documentation of descendancy
- documentation of a parent/grandparent's tribal enrollment or degree of Indian blood.
The waiver covers tuition only. It does not cover mandatory fees, course fees, housing, meal plans, or other charges. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. First-time applicants must complete the American Indian Tuition Waiver application. Students who have previously received the waiver should contact Financial Aid to confirm their continued eligibility.
Tribal Higher Education Funding: Each tribe with Tribal Higher Education Funding may award funds based on their own criteria.
- Contact your tribe's Higher Education office for eligibility and application deadlines. Tribes may require the Financial Aid Office to complete a Needs Analysis Form.
We recommend that you submit this form at least two weeks prior to the tribal deadline every year you are applying for it.
Scholarships: Incoming freshmen and new transfer students must be admitted to the University or City College campus before completing . This application is available to both incoming and current students. Native American students are also encouraged to fill out other outside scholarships.
Yellowjacket Excellence Scholarship
A financial pledge to benefit incoming first-year students
Our financial commitment to you depends upon your unweighted high school GPA and automatically renews for those who remain full-time, degree-seeking, and are making satisfactory academic progress (SAP). Funding of this commitment is contingent on the completion of the admissions application and required documentation/transcripts. This is a Fall start scholarship only.
To be considered for the YES, students must:
- Submit an application for admission (complete with GPA on the Self Report Form).
- Submission of final high school transcripts are required to confirm the high school GPA and scholarship before Fall classes begin.
| 3.95+ | 3.949 - 3.65 | 3.649 - 2.85 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Campus | $3,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 |
| City College | $1,000 | $500 | N/A |
Other Resources
TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) provides holistic and student-centered services, resources, and educational opportunities that support and improve graduation rates for eligible students. Support and encouragement are offered in a number of ways. We work towards the removal of barriers inhibiting academic completion, model acceptance and respect for all, and cooperate with faculty, staff, students, and community agencies to foster student success.
TRIO SSS aims to offer a "one-stop shop" of services to program participants at MSUB University campus and City College campus.
Native American Student Program Enrollment
In Fall 2024 MSU Billings awarded nearly $45,000 in scholarships to our Native American students in Fall 2024
| College of | # Students |
|---|---|
| Health Professions & Science | 31 |
| Liberal Arts & Social Sciences | 70 |
| Business | 40 |
| Education | 14 |
| Program | # Students |
|---|---|
| Business | 1 |
| Transportation | 20 |
| Computer Technology | 12 |
| Nursing & Health Occupations | 46 |
| General Studies | 3 |
Athletics
We offer athletic scholarships for our 14 varsity sports and Co-Ed Cheer. Please and contact coaches directly to inquire about opportunities to join Yellowjacket Athletics! #StingersUp!
Tribal Resources
If you are an enrolled tribal member, contact your tribe to see if they have additional funding available.
Browning, Montana 59417
#9 Old Person Street
406-338-7539
Crow Agency, Montana 59022
Gary H. Dawes, Higher Education Coordinator
gary.dawes@crow-nsn.gov
406-679-1276
Pablo, Montana 59855
Miranda Burland, Scholarship Officer
miranda.burland@cskt.org
406-675-2700 Ext. 1074
Harlem, Montana 59526
Treytin Stiffarm
656 Agency Main St.
406-353-2466 Ext. 8376
Poplar, Montana 59255
Goldie Red Eagle, Education Assistant
gredeagle@fortpecktribes.net
406-768-2394
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Darlene Hamilton, Counselor
darleneh@rangeweb.net
406-477-6770
St. Labre Indian School
Ashland, Montana 59004
David Charpentier, Scholarship Coordinator
dcharpentier@stlabre.org
406-860-0429
Box Elder, Montana 59521
Amanda Belcourt, Scholarship Officer
abelcourt@stonechild.edu
406-395-4269
Montana Little Shell Chippewa Tribe
Great Falls, Montana 59404
511 Central Ave W
frontdesk@lstribe.org
406-315-2400