15 Military Friendly Colleges in Montana

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.49M

Montana State University (MSU) is the first military friendly school in Missouri on our list. It has over 450 students who get GI Bill benefits. ​The Veteran Support Center is a dedicated space with trained staff to help veteran students. There’s also a Veteran Mentor Program. This connects incoming veteran students with a peer mentor who can help them navigate campus.

MSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad and graduate students up to $11,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 80%, while the rate for part time students is 75%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,062
Grad: $8,566

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 413
Grad: 19

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 77%
Part Time: 58%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $2.21M

The University of Montana (UMT) established the Vets Office to help veterans and their family members use their VA Education Benefits. The UM Vets Office offers a positive environment for veterans and family members. It has a place to study, eat, and relax. 

UMT participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 79%. And, the rate for part time students is 18%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,637
Grad: $9,522

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 280
Grad: 37

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 71%
Part Time: 39%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.71M

Montana State University Billings participates in Veterans’ Upward Bound. This is designed to help military veterans refresh their academic skills so that they can succeed in college. The Student Veteran Organization (SVO) also offers resources. For instance, SVO helps veteran students navigate the steps of enrolling in and attending college.

MSU Billings participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program by offering an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

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

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,434
Grad: $5,248

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 156
Grad: 4

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: 100%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.38M

Flathead Valley Community College offers programs geared to all kinds of learners. As a military student, you could find dedicated staff members who understand about making the shift to civilian life as some are veterans themselves.

The Veterans’ Center which is on campus, serves as the central switch board for veterans. Here, you could find out about VA benefits, FVCC-related topics, or civilian matters. The Veterans’ Center is also a place where veterans can network with each other.

FVCC also takes part in the Yellow Ribbon program and Veteran’s Upward Bound. Veteran’s Upward Bound is a U.S. Department of Education program. It serves to help military veterans refresh their academic skills to enhance their success in college.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,140
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 94
Grad: 4

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 61%
Part Time: 43%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.33M

University of Providence welcomes active duty military members and military veterans to attend classes on campus or online. The Veteran Support Center is open to all veterans and is equipped with many resources. They include laptops, study tables, a lounge area with TV and Xbox, printing services, and more. The school also has a Veteran Mentor Program on campus. This program connects incoming veteran students with a peer mentor.

Providence participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 29%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $14,447
Grad: 7,884

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 22
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 58%
Part Time: 40%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.24M

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: $3,288
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 76
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 65%
Part Time: 44%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.18M

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: $6,472
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 28
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 76%
Part Time: 14%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.17M

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: $5,296
Grad: $5,654

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 28
Grad: 2

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 55%
Part Time: 40%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.16M

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: 3,134
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 50
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 60%
Part Time: 45%

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.07M

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.07M

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0.001M

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0M

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0M

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

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $0M

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: 31%
Part Time: 38%