Montana State University announced on Mar. 13 that its GRIT Grant Program continues to provide financial and personal support for students nearing graduation who are experiencing significant challenges.
The initiative is designed to help students overcome barriers such as financial hardship, mental health struggles, or physical difficulties, ensuring they can complete their degrees. The program awards $2,000 scholarships to about 25 recipients each semester, with preference given to Montana residents.
Anthony Hernandez, a member of the Crow Tribe from Lodge Grass and a student in agricultural education at MSU’s College of Agriculture, described how the transition from his small hometown to the university was difficult. “My first year was a little difficult because I was the only student from my graduating class to come here,” he said. “I felt like I didn’t really know anyone. It was isolating, but it really taught me how to use my resources and ask for help, which is so hard, especially in your first year.” After losing his grandmother and facing academic challenges, Hernandez considered leaving school but credits the GRIT Grant with helping him persist.
Matthew Caires, MSU’s dean of students, said: “Making the calls to the GRIT students every fall is one of the best parts of my job at MSU. This program annually recognizes and supports students who have worked hard, overcome adversity and continue to make progress toward a degree. This is one way that MSU invests into these students, lets them know that we see them and that we expect them to continue their education. We recognize and support their grit.”
Emma Ferguson-Reiner and Clara Fox also shared how receiving the grant helped them manage academic workloads alongside personal hardships. Ferguson-Reiner said: “When you don’t feel like your feet are underneath you, especially with money, it’s paralyzing.” She added that campus resources were instrumental in her success: “Somebody recognized that you’re really trying your best and you’re working hard and you have a lot of potential… That just made me feel really good about myself.” Fox noted her surprise at being selected: “It really shows that the university and the community we have here cares so much about the students. They care about how well I do, and they have so much support.”
The GRIT Grant Program is managed by MSU’s Division of Student Success with funding from donors such as alum Mary Ann Pearce. The university enrolls approximately 17,165 students split between residents and nonresidents according to its official website. As Montana’s land-grant institution based in Bozeman, MSU focuses on research, education and outreach addressing key challenges according to its official website.
MSU leads in research funding within Montana with annual expenditures exceeding $288 million according to its official website, ranks among the top five percent of global universities per international rankings according to its official website, and contributes through volunteer efforts aimed at enhancing lives across communities according to its official website.
Nominations for future GRIT Grants open each fall semester. More information can be found at http://montana.edu/studentsuccess/gritgrant/.