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Montana vs Tennessee: Scholarship Climate 2026

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

State vs State

State A

Montana

State B

Tennessee

Quick comparison

MetricMontanaTennessee
Active scholarships in catalog3340
Avg. award (where known)$2,639$4,959
Max indexed award$25,000$50,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape presents distinct differences between Montana and Tennessee. Montana offers 38 scholarships with an average award size of approximately $2,527. The maximum award available is $25,000. Notable institutions providing scholarships include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs.

In contrast, Tennessee boasts 47 scholarships with a higher average award size of about $4,338 and a maximum award of $50,000. Key scholarship providers include Playmakers Nashville and the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. This indicates a more competitive and financially supportive environment for students in Tennessee.

Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Tennessee

Ranked by number of active scholarships

View all 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 those seeking specialized funding.

Tennessee

Tennessee's scholarship climate is more favorable, with a greater number of opportunities and higher average awards, attracting a wider range of applicants.

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.

Tennessee

Median household income

$69,008

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,015

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.90/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,380

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 53.93 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

95

ADI counties

95

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 95 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 95 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 approximately $2,527.
How many scholarships are available in Tennessee?
Tennessee offers a total of 47 scholarships.
What is the maximum scholarship amount in Tennessee?
The maximum scholarship amount available in Tennessee is $50,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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