Scholarship Applications Are Now Open! Apply today
ApplyThe Foundation manages scholarship funds for both students and educators. Several different scholarship committees comprised of community members review scholarship applications each spring. Scholarships are awarded at the end of each school year in May. All student scholarships should be applied for online. Click through to our scholarship application center to learn more about each opportunity. General summaries of each scholarship, as well as basic eligibility requirements, are outlined below.
Student Scholarship Offerings
All scholarships have differing qualifications. Please review the application carefully to determine whether you are eligible to apply. If you aren’t sure, please contact us at foundation@billingsschools.org.
- Student scholarships for trade school
- Local post-secondary scholarships
- Community college scholarships
- 4 Year university scholarships
Jump to Scholarship Section:
All Billings Public High Schools Senior High School West High School Adult EducationAvailable to Students from all Billings Public High Schools , including the Opportunity School, Early College High School, and the Multilingual Academy:
(Depending on Qualifications)
Julianne Dufresne Gifted Scholarship
$2,500 Scholarship Award
The Julianne Dufresne Gifted Scholarship was established to support a graduating senior from Billings Public Schools who has been identified as a gifted student and participated in the Quest and/or Extended Studies programs. Applicants must have a verifiable financial need and household income of less than $100,000 annually to qualify.
Bonnie Slough Scholarship Award
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Established by the family and friends of Bonnie Slough as a tribute to her life and commitment to education. Until her death on 2005, Bonnie was an employee of Billings Public Schools. The Scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from one of the Billings public high schools who is a child of a BCEA member to use in further education.
Haley Hutzenbiler Memorial Scholarship Award
$750 Scholarship Award
Established by Haley’s family and friends to celebrate her passion for youth and teaching. Haley was an all-around happy, joyful and positive person with a passion for teaching. Haley’s passion, goals and memory will live on through this scholarship. The scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from one of the Billings public high schools with a 3.0 GPA or better.
Dewey J. Hansen Scholarship Award
$2,000 Scholarship Award
Dewey J. Hansen Scholarship Award was established by Mr. Hansen’s friends to recognize his life of service to the Billings Community. Mr. Hansen has been and continues to be a great friend to Billings’ young people. Applicants must be nominated by their guidance counselor to be eligible to apply. Contact your guidance counselor for more information.
Karen Krueger Cox Scholarship Award
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Established by Karen’s family to recognize her talent and passion as a teacher in Billings Public Schools. The award reflects Karen’s belief that education is the key to opportunities. Students with a GPA between 2.0 and 3.0 from one of Billings three public high schools planning post-secondary, vocational, or technical training in Montana or Wyoming, particularly those interested in health care and education, are eligible to apply.
Peter and Zellah Yegen Scholarship
$600 Scholarship Award
Peter and Zellah Yegen Scholarship was established in honor of Peter and Zellah Yegen’s commitment to public service and their involvement in the Billings Community. The recipients are chosen by the counselor in their school on the basis of their academic achievement and a demonstration of similar commitment to their community. No application exists as eligible students are nominated by their counselor.
Steve and Lorraine Marsh Music Scholarship Award
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Steve and Lorraine Marsh Music Scholarship Award was established by Steve and Lorraine Marsh. As longtime educators in Billings Public Schools as well as great lovers of music, Steve and Lorraine dedicated this scholarship to students interested in pursuing a major in music education. This scholarship also requires the students to be pursuing a degree at one of the Montana schools.
M.A. Lambrecht Scholarship
$750 Scholarship Award
Established as an investment in non-college bound students who are motivated to pursue further vocational and technical education within the state of Montana. Students must be a graduating senior from Billings Public schools with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Selected students may qualify for the scholarship for two years. A second year of the scholarship is based upon successfully passing all courses during the first year.
Todd Teegarden Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship Award Per Year (up to 4 years)
Established in 2018 by friends and family in memory of Todd, who graduated from West High in 1982. Todd’s legacy is that of hard work – in academics and athletics. But what was most important to Todd was family and being a good citizen. Todd valued family, hard work, and the beauty of Montana. The Scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from Billings Public Schools for use in further education in the states of Montana or Wyoming. Students must have a 3.20 GPA or better. Other considerations may be given to a students who will be the first in his/her family to attend college, shows financial need, or has been an American Legion Baseball player.
Nesbit Writing Scholarship
$3,000 Scholarship Award Per Year (up to 4 years)
Charles Nesbit had two great passions – One was for teaching English and the other was for directing the West High Majorettes. Both Charles and his wife Betty taught in School District II for more than 50 years. This scholarship represents their enduring love for School District II and its students. The scholarship is directed to a student attending college in Montana pursuing a major or minor in English, journalism, creative writing, etc. One winner from Billings Public Schools will be selected to win a $3,000 scholarship
renewable for up to 4 years at a total of $12,000.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Scholarships
$500 Scholarship Award (2 Recipients per school)
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Scholarship was established by Billings Star Lodge No. 41 to support students who pursue nontraditional post-secondary education or training. Students with a GPA between 2.5-3.5 are looked at. They must also be looking to attend educational programs other than 4-year universities. We seek diligent, eager students who are not likely to receive other scholarships. Awards will be made to two students per year at each of the three Billings public high schools in the amount of $500 each.
Robert E. Mulvaney Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Robert E. Mulvaney Scholarship was established by the family of Robert E. Mulvaney who graduated from Billings Senior High in 1924. Bob was very active in social and civic organizations in Billings including a member of the First Congregational Church, the Al Bedoo Shrine Temple, the Black Horse Patrol, Billings Elks, Billings Rotary Club and was a member of the Hilands Golf Club and Yellowstone Country Clubs. He was also a director of Midland National Bank. He died in 1976 at the age of 72. To apply, a student must have a 3.0 GPA or better, a recent high school transcript, and two letters of recommendation.
Available to Students from Senior High:
Tracy Boland Scholarship
$500 Scholarship Award
The Tracy Boland Scholarship celebrates Tracy’s love of life and people. Her friends and family have funded this scholarship to honor her spirit. They hope it provides opportunities and support to young students and that Tracy becomes a source of inspiration for them on their journey. Graduating seniors from Billings Senior High are eligible to apply.
Melissa Hart Weaver Inspirational Award
$1,000 Scholarship Award
The Melissa Hart Weaver Inspirational Award was established by Melissa’s family and friends to recognize her love of music and her ability to inspire others. Melissa, a 2005 Billings Senior High graduate, was a violinist and a vocalist who inspired others through her enthusiasm, her boundless energy, and her infectious love of life. This scholarship award in her memory is to inspire others through her values and her lifelong love of music.
Cook Memorial Scholarship
$5,000 Scholarship Award
The Cook Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Brian Nicholas Cook in 1995 and his younger brother, Taylor Samuelson Cook in 2006. Both men were graduates of Billings Senior High and shared a love of sport, of learning and of life. Although each left the state to pursue higher education, their hearts never left the mountains and streams of Montana. They honored integrity, hard work, courage, humor and loyalty. Their many friends and family from around the country commemorate their lives with this scholarship.
Frank Family Scholarship
$750 Scholarship Award
The Frank Family Scholarship was established by Michael Frank to provide support for students who are the first generation in their family to pursue a secondary education. The scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from Billings Senior High School who is planning on attending either Montana State University or the University of Montana.
Reed Family Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship Award (2 recipients)
The Reed Family Memorial Scholarship was established in 2015 by family and friends in memory of brothers Jeffrey and Timothy Reed, sons of Charlie and Audrey. Tim and Jeff loved their native Montana and appreciated living here. Both were hard working, loyal, witty, loved their dogs, and especially valued many friends of all ages. The scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from Senior High School for use in further education in the state of Montana or Wyoming.
Jane Ridley Maxon Music Scholarship Award
$2,000 Scholarship Award
The Jane Ridley Maxon Music Scholarship Award honors Ms. Maxon’s dedication to education, music, and Billings Senior High. Jane Ridley Maxon, of the Senior High Class of 1933, spent many happy hours playing the trumpet in the concert band. At her graduation, she played the violin as the school orchestra performed an original composition that she wrote for the occasion. Jane later earned a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Music Education at Northwestern University. She devoted great energy and enthusiasm to elementary music teaching for many years. Students who want to pursue a degree in music education or music performance may apply.
Gary Tangen Memorial Music Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship Award
The Gary Tangen Memorial Music Scholarship honors the life and work of one of Billings Senior High’s most influential teachers. Mr. Tangen was the Director of Bands at Billings Senior High School from 1980 to 1999. On the surface, Mr. Tangen was a serious and demanding leader who helped his students achieve far more than anyone thought possible. His students, however, knew him as a kind and caring man who loved, respected, and supported each and every one of them. A graduating senior active in Billings Senior High Band with a 3.0 GPA or better is eligible to apply.
John Walter Urbaska (“Pepe”) Art Mural Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship Award
The John Walter Urbaska (“Pepe”) Art Mural Scholarship was established by The Kakatu Foundation to recognize his love and appreciation for the fine arts. The purpose of the Scholarship Award is to give students, who otherwise might not have the opportunity, the chance to receive both artistic exposure and financial assistance to be applied toward their futures in the Fine Arts. Students must have had a minimum of 4 semester of Art classes with a 3.5 GPA in those specific classes. An overall GPA of 2.5 is required. The scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from Senior High School for use in post-secondary education, or continuation of future artistic endeavors. Email Foundation@BillingsSchools.org to express interest in applying.
Nancy Hawk Scholarship
$6,000 Scholarship Award
The Nancy Hawk Scholarship was established in 2024 to honor a 1942 Billings Senior High School graduate and proud Montanan who believed in the goodness and abilities of all people. Before and after she achieved her doctorate in education at age 67, she worked for community colleges. As an instructor she taught business skills. As a mentor she opened her heart and home to students with high ambition and low resources, changing the course of many lives. The scholarship is directed at a graduating senior from Billings Senior High School for use in pursuing associate degrees or certificates at a community college in Montana. This scholarship is funded by Nancy’s four children: Lenore, Pat, Steve & Tony.
Dylan Forquer Memorial Scholarship
$500 Scholarship Award
The Dylan Forquer Memorial Scholarship was established in 2024 by his friends and family to support students graduating from Billings Senior High who are planning to attend Montana State University-Billings. Dylan graduated with honors from Billings Senior High in 2020 and received his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies magna cum laude in 2024 from Montana State University. During college, he worked tirelessly at the MSU Library for all four years.
Available to Students from West High:
Marvin and Carol Linde Music Scholarship
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Marvin and Carol Linde Music Scholarship: is established in honor of Marvin and Carol Linde’s six grandchildren that attended Billings West High School and enjoyed performing in multiple groups. This scholarship is meant to honor a music student at West that successfully participates in at least one auditioned music class, plus one or more extra-curricular music groups and honor festivals.
Raab Scholarship
$4,000 Scholarship Award (6 Recipients)
Gerald & Marijean Raab Scholarship: Please see your counselor at West High for additional information and application materials.
Available for Adult Education:
Woody Jensen Scholarship:
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Woody Jensen Scholarship: was established by family and friends of Woody Jensen to support students who pursue traditional or nontraditional post-secondary education or training. To apply, one must: be a graduate from the Billings Adult Education Program, have a minimum HiSet score of 65, and a minimum of 25 instructional hours through the Billings Adult Education.
Scholarship Applications Are Now Open! Apply today
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