MSU's Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering is lucky to have very supportive donors, which allows for the awarding of substantial amounts of scholarship money to students seeking an engineering or computer science degree. In 2023 - 2024 we have nearly $1.4 million to award in scholarships.

Many of the scholarships are named for donors. Donors sometimes wish to support students at different points in their academic careers or in different fields of study (e.g. incoming freshman or a junior in a particular major). Because of this, we encourage students, including incoming freshman, to apply for scholarships each year.

Eligibility for need-based scholarships is determined by the MSU Office of Financial Aid. Students who wish to be considered for need-based scholarships must complete the FAFSA student aid application. MSU's priority deadline to file a FAFSA is December 1.

One Portal Mangages All Applications

New Freshman and Graduate students complete General Application and NACOE Application

Undergraduates and Graduates complete General Application and NACOE Application. NACOE Application Portal is current closed and will open on November 01. 

ROTC applicants complete General Application.

Cat Scholarships Portal is currently unavailable.

Cat Scholarships portal open November 1 to Feb 1

For more information about receiving or sponsoring a scholarship in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, please contact the Dean's office.

engrinfo@coe.montana.edu 
(406) 994-2272
237 Norm Asbjornson Hall
P.O. Box 1738280
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-3820

Scholarship Cycle Dates and Deadlines

November 1 - February 1 NACOE Scholarship Application Opens for Next Academic Year
February 1 Priority Award Deadline for Continuing Students
March 1-7 Renewal Award Notices to Students
April 1-7 New College-level Award Notices to Continuing Students
April 1-7 Award Notices to New Freshman and Transfer Students 
April 15 - May 1 New Department-level Award Notices to Continuing Students
June 1 Post-Acceptance Process Deadline for All Awards
July 1 Unfinished Post-Acceptance Process or Unaccepted Awards Cancelled and Re-Awarded

 

Links to External Scholarships

Scholarship Application Tips and Resources

On the "Financial Aid, Legacy, and Empower Status" page:

  • Log into your FAFSA account and confirm your application is complete and was submitted. 
  • Log into your MSU student account and review Financial Aid package. This should include your financial aid eligibility. Contact Office of Financial Aid if you have questions about your level of need and if this includes Pell Grants. 
  • Legacy Scholarships available through the MSU Foundation. Please review their website for further information. 
  • If you identify as a member of an underrepresented group in engineering or computer science, eligibility for these scholarships is determined by activity with student organizations and through information provided through Banner. Demographic data automatically filters students into the appropriate opportunities designed to widen access in these disciplines. If there are additional steps, you will be prompted within the Cat Scholarships application. 

Writing a Scholarship Essay

  • Scholarship committees are interested in how a scholarship will benefit your current academic experience.
  • If you are an undergraduate, how will the potential funds be used to enhance your experience?
  • What is your academic story as a student? What brought you to this point? What are you excited about now?
  • How are you involved in your academic community and what additional opportunities will be available through a scholarship award?

Answering the writing prompt in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering (NACOE) application.

  • We are interested in your engagement strategy with our Engineering or Computer Science community from your Freshman year (or first semester). Describe how you already did this in high school and how you plan to repeat the process as part of the NACOE community.
  • The essay is a place to articulate how your experiences in and out of classes are synthesizing into areas of interest and expertise. 

New changes:

  • CatScholarships receives a controlled information feed from Banner which will help with completing your General Application.
  • Log into your FAFSA account and confirm your application is complete and was submitted. This is especially important if you expect to be eligible for financial need scholarships. 
  • Log into your MSU student account and review Financial Aid package. This should include your financial aid eligibility. Contact Financial Aid Services if you have questions about your level of need and if this includes Pell Grants. 
  • Legacy Scholarships available through the MSU Foundation. Please review their website for further information. 
    • If you identify as a member of an underrepresented group in engineering or computer science, eligibility for these scholarships is determined by activity with student organizations and through information provided through Banner. If there are additional steps, you will be prompted within the Cat Scholarships application. 

Writing a Scholarship Essay

  • Scholarship committees are interested in how a scholarship will benefit your current academic experience.
  • If you are an undergraduate, how will the potential funds be used to enhance your experience?
  • If you are a graduate, how will the potential funds be used to ehnhance your research agenda?
  • What is your academic story as a student? What brought you to this point? What are you excited about now?
  • How are you involved in your academic community and what additional opportunities will be available through a scholarship award?

Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering (NACOE) application: Answering the student engagement section and writing prompt. 

  • We are interested in your engagement strategy with our Engineering or Computer Science community from your Freshman year (or first semester).
  • If you are attending chapter meetings or events hosted by a club or organization? Do you play a role as an officer or committee lead? These experiences demonstrate your committment to and development of knowledge, skills and expertise in engineering or computing content.
  • Share any experiences you have enjoyed which sparked your interest in engineering or computer science (e.g.: FIRST Lego, Robotics, Engineering clubs or classes).