Scholarships

Montana Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) Scholarships

At The Skola, our commitment to community runs deep. That’s why we proudly serve as a Montana Student Scholarship Organization, raising funds and awarding scholarships to help make education accessible to all. Through this program, we offer need-based scholarships, as funds are available, to make tuition more affordable for families who wish to attend The Skola or any qualified education provider. We strive to create an inclusive school environment and offer what our funds allow.

Scholarships from this student scholarship organization may be used at any qualified education provider of the parent's or legal guardian's choice. 

15-30-3103 (1)(j)(iii), MCA

Eligibility: Students must be Montana residents who are 5 years old on or before September 10 of the school year and have not yet reached 19 years of age Mont. Code Ann. §15-30-3102(3)

Award limits: Scholarships may not exceed the per-pupil average of total public school expenditures Mont. Code Ann. §20-9-570; §15-30-3103(1)(d)

School choice: Scholarships from this student scholarship organization may be used at any qualified education provider of the parent's or legal guardian's choice. Mont. Code Ann. §15-30-3103(1)(c), (j)(iii)

Annual Timeline

January: Scholarship funds are raised; Scholarship Committee is formed.

Early February: BeneFAQ applications are due.

Mid-February: The Scholarship Committee reviews applications, funding, and drafts a scholarship plan.

Late February: The Board of Directors approves the plan and budget; families are awarded financial aid.

March: Families are notified of scholarship amounts and enrollment is confirmed.

Tuition is verified and scholarship funds are paid directly to the Qualified Education Provider.

Application & Selection Process

1.     BeneFAQ application – Families apply directly at www.benefaq.com. Required documents include tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs, bank statements, and details about assets, debts, and household size. BeneFAQ reviews this information and generates a FACT report summary including a FACT number which indicates monthly discretionary funds. The result is summarized as a FACT number. The Skola SSO receives only the confidential report — not the family’s detailed financial documents. For more information on the Skola’s BeneFAQ application process, click here.

2.     Committee review – Applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee, which includes school leadership, board representatives, and staff. The committee evaluates demonstrated financial need, available funds, and the number of applicants.

3.     Selection – Awards are determined through a confidential, objective, needs-based process utilizing the FACT Report summary, with scholarship amounts allocated in direct proportion to the financial need it identifies and the funds available.

4.     Board approval – The scholarship plan is presented to the Board of Directors for approval.

5.     Notification & enrollment verification – Families are notified of their award. For students not attending The Skola, enrollment and tuition are verified, and scholarship funds are paid directly to the Qualified Education Provider. 

Prior year’s Qualified Education Provider Scholarships recipients

2024/2025 – The Skola

Skola-Based Scholarships 

Beyond the state SSO scholarships, The Skola offers additional internal scholarships, funded through local donors and fundraising initiatives. These allow us to support students whose financial assessments via BeneFAQ show limited discretionary income or those not eligible under SSO rules (e.g., preschool students).

These internal awards are granted at the school’s discretion based on family circumstances, enrollment goals, and available resources.

All scholarship applicants must complete a BeneFAQ application.