When can I apply?

• Applications are available on January 1 of each year. All scholarship applications (unless otherwise noted on the application itself) must be received by 11:59 PM on March 31 of each year.

How do I apply for a Montana Community Foundation (MCF) scholarship?

• Visit MCF’s Scholarships web page. Click on the “Scholarship Portal” button (or use this link). Create an account and take the Eligibility Quiz.

Can I submit a paper application?     

• No. We only accept electronic applications through our online Scholarship Portal.

How many scholarships can I apply for?        

• You can apply for any MCF scholarships for which you qualify. There is no limit to the number of MCF scholarship applications you may submit. Qualification for each scholarship is based on the criteria listed in each individual application. Note that each scholarship has its own application, and you must submit an application for each scholarship for which you wish to be considered. To best identify opportunities, be sure to take the Eligibility Quiz.

Can my scholarship be combined with other scholarships?

• MCF does not prohibit you from receiving multiple scholarships. However, every institution has its own policy on this matter. You should consult your institution’s financial aid office for more information.

What if I can't remember my username or password for the Scholarship Portal? 

• First, try the "Forgot Your Password?" link on the Scholarship Portal login page. Be sure you are using the correct email. If that doesn’t work, email MCF at scholarships@mtcf.org for help.

I missed the deadline. Can I still submit my application?

• Generally, no. We may consider requests for extensions on a case-by-case basis. Contact MCF at scholarships@mtcf.org with questions.

Can I apply for an MCF scholarship if I’m not from Montana?           

• This depends on the criteria for each individual scholarship. A number of MCF scholarships require that the applicant be graduating, or have graduated, from a Montana high school. Please check the individual scholarship criteria in our Scholarship Directory to see what is required.

Can I still receive an MCF scholarship if I attend a school outside of Montana?    

• This depends on the criteria for each individual scholarship. Some scholarships require that the student attends a Montana college or university to be eligible. Many do not. Please check the individual scholarship criteria in our Scholarship Directory to see what is required.

Do I have to be a full-time student to qualify for an MCF scholarship?

• Each scholarship is different. Please check the individual scholarship criteria in our Scholarship Directory to see what is required.

What is the MCF Eligibility Quiz?

• MCF uses a questionnaire to match applicants with potential scholarships, based on criteria found within the more than 50 scholarship opportunities offered by MCF. The Eligibility Quiz is available to all applicants at the start of each scholarship season (January 1 through March 31).

Do I have to take the Eligibility Quiz?

• No. You can also search our MCF Scholarship Directory to find scholarships with the access code that will allow you to apply directly. Access codes will be labeled clearly within directory information. Log into the Scholarship Portal and click “Apply.” Enter the access code into the box at the top right of the window that says “Enter Access Code” to go directly to that scholarship’s application. We simply recommend the Eligibility Quiz as an easy way to sort through MCF’s many scholarship opportunities to find those for which you are most likely to qualify and, as a result, make your search a little more efficient.

Can I retake the Eligibility Quiz?

• Yes, you can.  Please send an email to MCF at scholarships@mtcf.org. We can reset your quiz.

I took the Eligibility Quiz and did not get the scholarship I thought I qualified for. What can I do?

• You have two options:
  1. Send an email to MCF at scholarships@mtcf.org to reset your quiz and try again.
  2. Visit the MCF Scholarship Directory to find the access code for your scholarship. Access codes will be labeled clearly within directory information. Log into the Scholarship Portal and click “Apply.” Enter the code into the box at the top right of the window that says “Enter Access Code” to go directly to that scholarship’s application. 

How will I be notified if I receive a scholarship award? Or, if I don’t?           

• If you are awarded a scholarship, a letter and certificate will be emailed to the email address you provide when you sign up through our Scholarship Portal. In some instances, schools or other entities prefer to notify you directly or as part of an awards ceremony. We try not to spoil the surprise in those instances, so you may not hear from us until after you’ve already been notified.
• An email from our Scholarship Portal will inform you if you did not receive a scholarship award. 

Will you contact my parent(s) with award information?

• As the applicant, you are the primary contact for your MCF application and Scholarship Portal account. We will always contact you, first, before reaching out to a parent or guardian and we will only reach out to them when we are unable to reach you. Additionally, as the applicant, it is expected that you will follow through to provide any additional information or verifications needed.

Is the scholarship award paid directly to me?             

• No. Scholarship awards are paid directly to the school you will be attending. If selected to receive a scholarship award, you will be asked to complete a College or University Information & Acceptance Form which will ask for your school’s mailing address and your Student ID. Instructions will be provided in your award letter.

When is my scholarship award paid to the school? 

• Generally, we try to send all scholarship award payments to your school in July of each year. 

Is my award paid all at once?

• The entire scholarship award is sent to your college or university; however, they are instructed to split that award between the fall and spring terms (e.g., 50% each for fall and spring semesters).

Can my scholarship be transferred to another school?

• Yes. You will need to notify MCF at scholarships@mtcf.org to ensure that we have your new school’s name, address, and your new Student ID. This process can take a little time, so as soon as you know you are transferring, please contact us.

Can I defer my scholarship award to a later date?    

• Contact MCF at scholarships@mtcf.org to discuss your situation and see if a deferral is possible. In most cases, it is unlikely. However, we will consider requests on a case-by-case basis.

How do I know if my college, university, or training program is accredited?

There are two national databases we use when searching to verify that your school is accredited. The first is the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, which is maintained by the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE). The second is a database maintained by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and allows you to search for colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions accredited by recognized U.S. accrediting organizations. Both links provided here will take you directly to the search feature for each database.

Additionally, you can review the directories provided by specific accrediting bodies below. 

Click a link below that includes the state where the school you plan to attend is located. Search for your school to see if it is accredited. Please search carefully as the name provided in the directory may be slightly different than how your school is typically known.

• Higher Learning Commission (Includes: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming).
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) (Includes: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands).
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) & Technical and Career Institutions (CTCI) (Includes: Connecticut, Maine Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Overseas).
• Northwest Commissions on Colleges (Includes: Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington).
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Includes: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Extraterritorial).
• Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (Includes States: California, Hawaii, and the Pacific).

Do I have to submit an “official” transcript”?

• No. We accept both official and unofficial copies of transcripts. 
• For high school students, please make sure your grade level, cumulative GPA, and ranking status are listed on the copy you upload with your application. 
• For continuing or returning college students, a copy of your transcript printed from your school portal is acceptable, but please make sure your name, cumulative GPA, and declared major or program of study are visible on the document you upload with your application.

Can I submit paper letters of recommendation?      

• No. Any scholarship that requires a letter of recommendation will either request that you upload a PDF of the letter within your application, or that you provide the name and email address of the person selected to make a recommendation. That person then receives an email with instructions for completing the recommendation. Please do not mail, email, or fax letters of recommendation to MCF unless requested to do so by MCF staff.