College Scholarships & Guidance

For assistance, contact Mrs. Graves at (406) 295-4520 x 3 or jgraves@troyk12.org

Financial Aid

Nearly all Troy students attending some form of post-secondary education will qualify for need-based financial aid. The prerequisite for nearly all of this financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA.

Follow the link for an overview of all types of need-based federal aid: Student Aid Page

You and one parent will need a Federal Student Aid ID to complete the FAFSA.
Follow the link to obtain the FSA ID: FSA-ID Page

Colleges have important financial aid deadlines to be aware of. Consult the admissions or financial aid office of your chosen school if you have questions. While late applications are processed, students do not receive as much financial aid when they miss the original filing deadline.

Scholarship Strategies

Most scholarship dollars are often granted from the college that accepts you for admission. As such, make certain you meet their scholarship application deadlines. If you have questions, contact the admissions office of that school.

Consider the Competition
Consider the competition for a scholarship before taking the time to apply.

First, apply locally; chances are you’ll be competing against only a handful of other applicants.
Next, look for regional scholarships.
Then, time permitting, consider scholarships that are for Montana residents only.

National scholarships are riskier, considering the potential size of the applicant pool - there is no telling how many other students you are competing against. However, your level of accomplishment, such as distinguishing yourself with exceptional grades, test scores, extra-curricular accomplishments, etc., may indeed make you nationally competitive. Use your time wisely and prioritize scholarship applications accordingly.

Watch Out for Fees
The whole purpose of a scholarship is to give you money, not take money from you. Do not pay anything beyond a postage stamp for mailing your application. No reputable scholarship organization solicits money from prospective applicants. Be on the lookout for “application processing” fees, “guaranteed to find scholarships for which you are eligible” fees," or request for a credit card number “for identification purposes.”

The following are reputable search engines for scholarship services:

Fastweb
Big Future
Montana University System
Montana Career Information System (username: troyhighschool password: plan7ing)
Reach Higher Montana

Submit Only YOUR Work
College is expensive and the competition for scholarships means there are no guarantees. Despite the potential temptation of having a parent or well-meaning adult complete your application, do not do it! Applications determined to not be the student's own work, or those that are incomplete, are routinely disqualified. While it is perfectly acceptable to have someone proofread an application or any essays that may be required, it is the student's responsibility to submit their own work; this includes attaching necessary transcripts, letters of recommendation, or supplemental documents as defined by each scholarship.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Some scholarship links take you directly to an online form to be filled out and submitted. However, MOST local scholarship links take you to a Google Doc. You do not need to ask me to share the document with you. Instead, it will automatically make a copy of the application, then you need to fill it out, and then print and submit it to my office by the deadline. Make certain you attach all required documents, including transcripts as necessary, as I WILL NOT amend or edit your application in any way. You alone are responsible for making sure your application is complete.

-Mrs. Graves