Big Sky Community School Student Scholarship Organization

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

Big Sky Community School operates a 501(c)(3) nonprofit school dedicated to expanding access to a rigorous K-12th education. As part of this mission, we are excited to announce that we were just approved as a Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) under Montana's Education Tax Credit Program. 

Our Student Scholarship Organization will raise funds and award scholarships, helping expand access to educational opportunities for Montana K-12th students. Through this program, we will offer both need and merit-based scholarships, as funds are available, to make tuition more affordable for families who wish to attend Big Sky Community School or any qualified education provider. Accessibility and school choice matter.

Big Sky Community School’s SSO will award scholarships primarily on the basis of demonstrated financial need, as assessed through Clarity, an independent third-party financial aid evaluation platform. Clarity provides an objective analysis of a family’s financial profile and serves as the foundation of our scholarship review process. The SSO will also consider merit based scholarships and individual family circumstances. This allows for a holistic review that recognizes both access and the diverse strengths of Montana students.

Scholarships will be awarded to students, eligible under Mont. Code Ann. §15-30-3102, based on available funding from tax credit eligible donations. Scholarship awards are not linked to donor preferences or enrollment status. All awards will be made through a documented, consistent, and non-discriminatory process.

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)

Please complete the 2-step application process. (1) Fill out the SSO Application below and then (2) complete the Clarity Application (Clarity charges a $65 application fee).

Once your Clarity application and required uploads are complete, BSCS SSO will review your full file. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants will be notified via email. Approved scholarship funds will be sent directly to the Qualified Education Provider.

For questions about the Student Scholarship Organization, please contact:

jamie@bigskycommunityschool.org

Click here more information on the Montana Tax Credit Program.