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Montana vs Washington: Scholarship Climate 2026

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

State vs State

State A

Montana

State B

Washington

Quick comparison

MetricMontanaWashington
Active scholarships in catalog33191
Avg. award (where known)$2,639$3,652
Max indexed award$25,000$25,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, the scholarship landscape in Montana and Washington presents distinct opportunities for applicants. Montana offers an average award size of $2,707.69 across 27 grants, while Washington boasts a higher average award of $3,738.70 with a total of 124 grants available. This significant difference indicates a more competitive scholarship environment in Washington, where applicants may find a broader range of funding options.

The top universities in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs, which provide a limited number of grants. In contrast, Washington's leading institutions such as the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington offer a larger volume of scholarships, enhancing the chances for applicants to secure funding.

Top Scholarship Providers in Montana

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Washington

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 applicants seeking specific, niche funding.

Washington

Washington's scholarship climate is vibrant, with a higher number of grants and larger average awards, making it ideal for applicants looking for substantial financial support.

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.

Washington

Median household income

$97,733

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,418

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.29/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$62,990

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 27.40 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

lower indicator band

SVI counties

39

ADI counties

39

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 39 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 39 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 Washington?
Washington has a total of 124 scholarships available.
Which state offers higher average scholarship awards?
Washington offers higher average scholarship awards at $3,738.70.
What are some top scholarship providers in Montana?
Top scholarship providers in Montana include the Montana Coaches Association and the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs.

Sources and official pages

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

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