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Arizona vs Montana: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Arizona offers a higher average award and more opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking significant financial support. Montana, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for less competition.

State vs State

State A

Arizona

State B

Montana

Quick comparison

MetricArizonaMontana
Active scholarships in catalog4833
Avg. award (where known)$2,814$2,639
Max indexed award$15,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Arizona presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of approximately $3,916 and a total of 57 grants available. The maximum award can reach up to $40,000, providing significant financial support for applicants. Notable institutions in Arizona include the Arizona Community Foundation and Pima Community College, which offer multiple scholarships.

In contrast, Montana's scholarship landscape is less extensive, with an average award size of around $2,527 and a total of 38 grants. The highest award available is $25,000. Key scholarship providers in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs.

Top Scholarship Providers in Arizona

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Arizona

Arizona's scholarship climate is competitive with a variety of funding sources and higher average awards, making it appealing for applicants seeking substantial financial assistance.

Montana

Montana offers fewer scholarships and lower average awards, which may attract applicants looking for a less competitive environment.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Arizona

Median household income

$77,970

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,389

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.14/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$50,060

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 35.75 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

ADI band

middle indicator band

ADI counties

15

County health data

15

  • ADI block-group data is available across 15 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.
  • County health public data is available for 15 counties; use it alongside cost, school, and scholarship details.

Montana

Median household income

$69,565

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,129

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.91/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$48,740

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 36.77 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

lower indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

56

ADI counties

56

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 56 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 56 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Arizona?
The average scholarship amount in Arizona is approximately $3,916.
How many scholarships are available in Montana?
Montana has a total of 38 scholarships available.
Which state offers higher maximum scholarship amounts?
Arizona offers a higher maximum scholarship amount of $40,000 compared to Montana's $25,000.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

More guides around this State vs State comparison

Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Arizona and Montana.

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