Montana Presidential Leadership Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by University of Montana
Davidson Honors College Scholarships
The Davidson Honors College awards merit-based scholarships to incoming students to recognize outstanding academic performance, leadership potential, and broader talent. The premier awards include the Presidential Leadership Scholarship (PLS), Provost’s Honors Scholarship (PHS), and Dean’s Leadership Scholarship (DLS). Awards reduce the cost of attendance and may be renewed for up to four years for students who meet progression standards. Highly motivated, well-rounded applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of a specific record of achievements.
Description: Merit-based incoming-student scholarships administered by the Davidson Honors College to support academic excellence and leadership.
Eligibility: Candidates are evaluated for academic performance, leadership, and overall promise; criteria are flexible and motivated students are encouraged to apply.
Award Value: Awards reduce cost of attendance and can be renewed annually for up to four years for students meeting progression requirements; specific amounts vary by scholarship and donor criteria.
- Includes PLS, PHS, and DLS awards.
- Award amounts and renewal are contingent on meeting progression standards.
- Selection emphasizes academic achievement and leadership potential.
Fine Print
Scholarships may be issued as tuition waivers, donor-funded awards, or a combination of both. Out-of-state recipients may receive waivers that lower tuition (fees, room, and board not typically covered), while some donor awards can offset additional attendance costs. Donor criteria and available funds determine awards beyond tuition and no combination of waivers may exceed total tuition. Montana residents must apply for the Montana University System (MUS) Honors to be considered for certain Davidson Honors College scholarships.
Eligibility: Montana residents wishing consideration for DHC scholarships must apply for the MUS Honors Scholarship; students using MUS awards retain PLS, PHS, or DLS titles when applicable.
Award Value: Waiver rules include non-resident tuition potentially reduced to the WUE rate, WUE tuition potentially reduced to in-state rates, and eligible waivers that may fully waive tuition for Montana residents; waivers vary by scholarship tier and may decrease across PLS, PHS, and DLS.
- Awards can be waivers, donor funds, or both; donor criteria affect final funding.
- Waivers cannot exceed the cost of tuition and differ by scholarship tier.
- Montana residents must apply for MUS Honors to be fully considered for some awards.
DHC Scholarship Deadline and Review Process
Applicants must first apply to and be accepted by the University of Montana before completing the Davidson Honors College application. To allow time for admission and the DHC application, applicants are recommended to apply to UM by November 24; the DHC application due date for scholarship consideration falls in December. Applications received by 11:59 PM (MST) on the DHC due date will be considered for incoming-student scholarships; late DHC applications will be reviewed for admission to the college but not for incoming scholarships. A scholarship committee reviews timely applications between December and January, with interviews and final offer notifications following a set timeline.
Application Timeline: Recommended UM application by November 24; DHC application due in December (received by 11:59 PM MST on due date for scholarship consideration); interview invitations mid–late January; virtual interviews mid-February; scholarship offers by mid-March; decision deadline May 1.
Application Process: Apply and be admitted to the University of Montana, submit the DHC application by the stated deadline, undergo committee review and possible interview, then receive notification of any scholarship offers and respond by the decision deadline.
- Admission to UM is required before DHC scholarship consideration.
- Submit DHC application by the December deadline (11:59 PM MST) to be eligible for scholarships.
- Review, interviews, and offers follow a December–May timeline with a May 1 acceptance deadline.