15 Military Friendly Colleges in Montana

1Montana State University
Montana State University | Bozeman, MT 59717

Montana State University (MSU) stands as the first military-friendly school in Missouri on our list, supporting over 450 students receiving GI Bill benefits. The Veteran Support Center serves as a dedicated space staffed with trained professionals who assist veteran students. Additionally, MSU features a Veteran Mentor Program, connecting new veteran students with peer mentors to navigate campus life.

Participating actively in the Yellow Ribbon Program, MSU offers up to $11,000 per year to an unlimited number of undergraduate and graduate students.

Veterans enrolled at MSU are eligible to receive transfer credit for their military training. The retention rate for full-time students benefiting from military benefits stands at 80%, while part-time students maintain a retention rate of 75%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,342
Grad: $4,997

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 396
Grad: 27

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 80%
Part Time: 75%

2 The University of Montana
1000 E. Beckwith Ave | Missoula, MT 59812

The University of Montana (UMT) founded the Vets Office to aid veterans and their family members in utilizing their VA Education Benefits. This office provides a supportive environment, offering spaces for studying, dining, and unwinding for veterans and their families.

UMT actively engages in the Yellow Ribbon Program, providing an unlimited maximum contribution per year to an unlimited number of students.

Veterans enrolled at UMT can receive transfer credit for their military training. The retention rate for full-time students receiving military benefits stands at 79%, while part-time students maintain a retention rate of 18%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,453
Grad: $7,798

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 249
Grad: 31

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 18%

3Montana State University Billings
1500 University Drive | Billings, MT 59101

Montana State University Billings actively engages in Veterans’ Upward Bound, a program tailored to assist military veterans in revitalizing their academic skills, preparing them for success in college. Additionally, the Student Veteran Organization (SVO) serves as a valuable resource, aiding veteran students in the enrollment and college attendance processes.

Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, MSU Billings offers an unlimited maximum contribution per year to an unlimited number of students.

Veterans at MSU Billings are eligible to receive transfer credit for their military training. Notably, the retention rate for part-time students benefiting from military benefits stands at an impressive 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,936
Grad: $3,012

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 97
Grad: 5

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: 100%

4Flathead Valley Community College
777 Grandview Dr, Kalispell, Montana 59901

Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) provides programs tailored to diverse learners, including dedicated support for military students. The college boasts staff members who comprehend the transition from military to civilian life, with some being veterans themselves.

The on-campus Veterans’ Center functions as a central hub for veterans, offering information on VA benefits, FVCC-related matters, and civilian topics. It also serves as a networking space for veterans to connect with each other.

FVCC actively participates in both the Yellow Ribbon program and Veteran’s Upward Bound, a U.S. Department of Education initiative. Veteran’s Upward Bound aids military veterans in refreshing their academic skills to bolster their success in college.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,357
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 56
Grad: 4

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 72%
Part Time: 33%

5University of Providence
1301 Twentieth St S | Great Falls, MT 59405

The University of Providence warmly invites active duty military members and veterans to join classes either on campus or online. The Veteran Support Center, accessible to all veterans, offers various resources such as laptops, study tables, a lounge area equipped with a TV and Xbox, printing services, and more. Additionally, the school runs a Veteran Mentor Program, connecting new veteran students with peer mentors.

Providence actively participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Veterans at Providence are eligible to receive transfer credit for their military training. The retention rate for full-time students benefiting from military benefits stands at 29%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $16,064
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 30
Grad: 3

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 29%
Part Time: N/A

6Great Falls College Montana State University
2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, Montana 59405

At Great Falls College MSU you could pursue a certificate of technical studies, certificate of applied science, associate of applied science, associate of arts/science or associate of science in nursing degree. The college offers these programs in academic areas that span from cyber security to paramedic and welding.

Great Falls College MSU is also a Military Friendly School. With a staff dedicated to serving military and veterans, GFC MSU offers resources, scholarship and benefit information to you and your family. GFC MSU has a Veteran’s Center designed to serve the needs of the student military and veteran community as well.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,042
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 35
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 65%
Part Time: N/A

7The University of Montana-Western
710 S Atlantic St | Dillon, MT 59725

The University of Montana Western (UMW) is a Member of Service members Opportunity Colleges. And, it has a recognized Student Veteran Organization. The Veteran and Military Exchange (VMX) offers a wide range of services to past and present service members and their families. These include educational support and resources, access to computers, and reintegration help.

UMW participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad and graduate students an unlimited max contribution per year at all locations.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for both full time and part time students who get military benefits is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,573
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 23
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 100%

8 Montana State University-Northern
300 W 11th St | Havre, MT 59501

Montana State University Northern (MSUN) excels as a veteran friendly system. It provides resources, financial aid, and instruction necessary for veterans to access and complete college.

MSUN participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering 20 undergrad students up to $5,868 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,472
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 19
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 50%
Part Time: N/A

9Helena College University of Montana
1115 N Roberts Street, Helena, Montana 59601

Helena College offers a range of academic programs including business, STEM, education, law and public safety. As a military student, you could find out how to use your benefits through the Executive Director of Compliance and Financial Aid at Helena College. There is also a team devoted to academic advising.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: 3,382
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 32
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 86%
Part Time: 25%

10Highlands College of Montana Tech
25 Basin Creek Rd, Butte, Montana 59701

Montana Tech started in1900 as the Montana State School of Mines and now offers a range of programs at all levels. You could study many STEM and health care fields. And, work towards certificate programs, associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees along with a Ph.D. in Materials Science.

The staff, administration and faculty of Montana Tech are there to assist you in your transition to civilian and campus life as you pursue your degree. You could contact them to help you understand how to use your benefits. There are also two lounges (North campus and South campus). Here, you could find computers, couches, coffee and more.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: 4,354
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 18
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 54%
Part Time: 17%

11Miles Community College
2715 Dickinson Street, Miles City, Montana 59301-4774

Miles Community College offers transfer degrees (A.A. and A.S.) as well as professional technical degrees such as Certificate (C.), Certificate of Applied Science (C.A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). The school also has an open admissions policy.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: 4,354
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 18
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 54%
Part Time: 17%

12Chief Dull Knife College
1 College Drive, Lame Deer, Montana 59043

Chief Dull Knife College has an open admissions policy which stipulates that anyone who can benefit from CDKC’s educational offerings and services will be admitted as a full or part-time student. Each veteran student receives counseling about benefits, credit load, withdrawal procedures, remedial and tutorial help and then have their enrollment card approved by the Veterans Affairs Office (VAO) during each registration. All previous military and civilian training will be evaluated for college credit.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $1,055
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 18
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 58%
Part Time: 60%

13Blackfeet Community College
504 S.E. East Boundary, Browning, Montana 59417-0819

Blackfeet Community College was chartered by the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council in 1974. As a result, the school’s goals and purposes are rooted in those of the Blackfeet Tribe. Financial aid consists of federal, state, scholarship donors and local sources.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 67%

14Dawson Community College
300 College Dr, Glendive, Montana 59330

Dawson Community College offers Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees that may ready you to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. You could also choose to pursue Associate of Applied Science degrees that are more vocational and technical as well as tend to focus on career entry. As a prospective student, you could use your eligible benefits towards studies at the college. DCC also assesses your military transcripts for potential credit.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 51%
Part Time: 43%

15Fort Peck Community College
605 Indian Street, Poplar, Montana 59255-0398

Fort Peck Community College (FPCC) is a tribally controlled community college chartered by the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. The school offers one year certificates and associate degrees (A.S., A.A., A.A.S.).

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 50%
Part Time: N/A