Paying for School - Tips & Recommendations

1. Available resources to help you navigate paying for school

• Connect with a Financial Aid Advisor from the Office of Financial Aid Services
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)
    • This determines eligibility for federal grants and loans
    • The results are often used in scholarship and/or outside scholarship (waiver) eligibility
    • Accessing and accepting your award
  • Complete the Cat $cholarship Application
    • This applies for most MSU based scholarships
  • Private alternative loans
    • These can supplement or replace federal loans at competitive rates
  • Other resources and support- Help available
    • Office of Financial Aid
    • Phone: (406) 994-2845
    • Email: finaid@montana.edu OR scholarships@montana.edu 
• MSU Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success - Financial Education Office (Strand Union Building: Room 177)
  • Schedule a free 1:1 meeting with a Financial Coach
    • Scholarship searching
    • Student loan repayment & forgiveness programs
    • Budgeting, savings, and credit
  • Other resources
    • Email: makechange@montana.edu 

2. Understand your costs

• The components of your costs to attend the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing for you to consider are:
  • Direct Costs: Tuition and Fees along with food and housing if on campus.
  • Indirect Costs: Food, housing, books, supplies, and miscellaneous.
    • Miscellaneous costs vary by student, but are for incidentals like transportation, health, and other day to day needs like clothing.
• Create a budget using the MSU Financial Education Budget Planner

3. Additional Funding Options Available

• Employment 
  • Hourly and Work-Study jobs are available on campus
    1. Look for employers participating in Gold Star program
  • Employer reimbursement

*Students considering employment while enrolled in the nursing program are encouraged to consider the unique scheduling of classes and clinical experiences each semester. This would be important to discuss with your nursing faculty advisor or the assistant campus director.

4. Pay 

• Pay your fees by the 15th class day to avoid being dropped from classes
• Payment Plan (account payment installments)
• How to Confirm your Bill/ Pay