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Montana vs Pennsylvania: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Pennsylvania offers a more robust scholarship climate with higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Montana, while having fewer opportunities, may appeal to those looking for niche scholarships.

State vs State

State A

Montana

State B

Pennsylvania

Quick comparison

MetricMontanaPennsylvania
Active scholarships in catalog33125
Avg. award (where known)$2,639$3,131
Max indexed award$25,000$40,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape varies significantly between Montana and Pennsylvania. Montana offers an average scholarship amount of $2,707.69, with a maximum award of $25,000 across 27 grants. The top universities in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs, which provide a limited number of scholarships.

In contrast, Pennsylvania presents a more favorable environment for scholarship applicants, with an average award size of $3,000 and a maximum of $40,000. Pennsylvania boasts a total of 101 grants, with prominent institutions like the Philadelphia Foundation and the POISE Foundation leading the way in scholarship offerings.

Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Pennsylvania

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Montana

Montana's scholarship climate is characterized by fewer opportunities and lower average awards, appealing to applicants seeking specific, niche funding.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's scholarship climate is vibrant, with a high volume of opportunities and larger average awards, making it ideal for applicants needing substantial financial assistance.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

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.

Pennsylvania

Median household income

$78,689

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,133

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.17/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$49,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.55 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

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

67

ADI counties

67

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 67 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 67 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 Montana?
The average scholarship amount in Montana is $2,707.69.
How many scholarships are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania offers a total of 101 scholarships.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Pennsylvania?
The maximum scholarship amount in Pennsylvania is $40,000.
Which universities in Montana offer scholarships?
Top universities in Montana offering scholarships include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Montana?
The maximum scholarship amount in Montana is $25,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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