Admissions

Why Choose UGF?

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The reasons to choose UGF are as numerous as our students. We are a private, Roman Catholic liberal arts university with a 12:1 student to faculty ratio. Our location, in the heart of the Big Sky Country of Montana, provides abundant recreational opportunities. Our small class size appeals to many students.

Our selection of undergraduate and graduate degrees and our commitment to each student’s dignity and sense of self-worth allows us to take pride in knowing that we change the lives of our students through their university experience. Our academic environment reflects our tradition of preparing students to be competent professionals, as well as capable people.

Our identity as a Catholic University attracts many students who are seeking a value based education. A variety of student organizations and activities allow students to make friends and share in campus life. Our four-year experience program, the Corps of Discovery, facilitates our student’s art of leadership, ability to adapt to a changing world, the importance of enduring emotional relationships and the value of prayer, reflection and community.

UGF offers students one of the best values in private education. Comprehensive scholarship, grant and federal aid packages make enrollment at UGF an affordable and exceptional value

Following are the current costs for enrollment at the University of Great Falls:

Charges for the 2008/2009 Academic Year
Tuition
Undergraduate	Full-Time (12-18 credits)	$8270/semester
	Part-Time	$525/credit
	Distance Education	$525/credit
Graduate		$550/credit
Fees and Books
General Fee	1-5 credits	$60/semester
	6 or more credits	$150/semester
	Distance	$60/semester
Educational Technology Fee		$18/per credit - Maximum $216/semester
Freshman Orientation Fee		$75/one time
Books (estimate)		$800/year
Health Fee (Fulltime, Campus Undergraduates)		$80/semester
Wellness Center Fee (Fulltime, Campus Undergraduates)		$150/semester

In addition, on campus students will pay approximately $6,270/year for room and board based on a double room assignment and meal plan. For more information on housing costs Click Here.

We strive to keep costs and additional fees minimized, yet they are subject to change in response to needs of students.

Financial Aid

Approximately 80% of full-time, degree-seeking University of Great Falls students receive a financial aid package. For information about financial aid Click Here.

The University of Great Falls invites applications for admission from students seeking a quality education and who are interested in an educational experience with a focus on the whole person. Admission is based upon careful review of all credentials presented by the applicant. The University reserves the right to request additional information from any applicant. Applications will be considered regardless of race, age, gender, religion, or ethnic background.

The University of Great Falls has a rolling admission policy. Applicants may apply for admission at any time; however, all applicants are strongly urged to apply at least one month prior to the first day of classes of the term for which they intend to start at the university. All required documents must be submitted before a student can register for classes.

 

First Time Freshmen

Applicants who are graduates of an accredited high school or who hold a high school equivalency certificate (GED) may be admitted as freshmen. Admission requirements for freshmen are:

•	Proof of immunizations.
•	A completed admission application.
•	A completed Undergraduate Recommendation Form (downloadable PDF).
•	A non-refundable, one-time $35 application fee. This fee is waived for on-line applications. Click here to apply on-line.
•	An official high school transcript showing the date of graduation or an official certificate of high school equivalency with scores from the General Education Development Test (GED). [High school students may be considered for admission with a transcript indicating completion of the junior year. Final official transcripts must be submitted before a student attends classes.]

Results of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) are recommended for academic advising purposes and consideration of no-need/merit scholarships, but not required for admission.

Students who have completed their secondary education through a Home School program are required to submit the following:

•	A parent’s transcript.
•	Official ACT or SAT scores.
•	A bibliography of high school literature.
•	An essay in which the student describes and evaluates his/her preparation for university level work.

Federal regulations may require a Home School student to submit an official GED transcript to be considered eligible for Federal Financial Aid.
 

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Transfer students are students that have completed 12 or more transferable credits at another accredited college or university prior to enrollment at UGF. The Transfer Student Admission Requirements are:

•	A completed application for admission.
•	A non-refundable, one-time $35 application fee.
•	Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended prior to application to the University of Great Falls.

Transfer of Previous Credit

The Registrar’s Office determines whether or not transfer credits are eligible for acceptance to UGF. For courses to be considered in transfer they must be 100 level or above and students must have earned a "C" or better. Students with baccalaureate degrees from an accredited institution pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are required to complete the requirements in the major and/or minor only.

Additional Guidelines

In addition, transfer students must:

• Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at UGF
• 15 hours must be in the major or concentration.

 

Early Admission

High school students may be admitted and allowed to register for university level course(s) provided that they are academically prepared to take the course(s) and academic success can be reasonably predicted. Early Admission Requirements are:

•	A completed application for admission form.
•	A non-refundable, one-time $35 application fee.
•	An official, current high school transcript.
•	Copies of standardized test scores such as ACT, SAT, P-ACT, PSAT, ITED, or ST.
•	Permission from the student’s parent or legal guardian.

Re-Admission

A student returning to the University of Great Falls after an absence of more than one academic year must submit an application for admission. The one-time application fee will not be assessed for re-admission, but official transcripts from any other school attended in the interim must accompany the application.

Non-Degree Admission

Students who are not seeking a degree at the University of Great Falls may apply for non-degree status. This allows a student to enroll in classes for non-academic reasons, i.e. personal enrichment, life-long learning, or job enhancement. Students with non-degree status may change their status to degree seeking by applying for admission. A maximum of 30 semester credits earned in non-degree status may be applied to curriculum course requirements in a degree seeking status. The requirements for Non-Degree Admission are:

• A completed application for admission form.
• A non-refundable, one-time $35 application fee.

Audit

Students who do not want credit for a course but wish to learn about an academic subject for their own enjoyment may audit the course. Approval for auditing a course must be arranged in advance with the class instructor. All class fees connected with the class will be assessed if the auditor is accepted into the class. Participation by the auditor in class discussions shall be permitted at the discretion of the instructor. After the term's normal deadline for adding a course, students may not convert audit classes to academic credits, nor academic credits to audits. The requirements for Audit Admission are:

• A completed application for admission form.
• A non-refundable, one-time $35 application fee.

Veterans

The university is approved for veterans under PLG 358, and for students under the War Orphans Assistance Act, PLG 634 and the Vocational Rehabilitation Bill, PLG 894, and PLG 815. Inquiries about the education benefits and requirements for veterans attending the university should be addressed to the Director of Financial Aid.

Students should submit applications for the College of Graduate Studies at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the term in which the student intends to begin the graduate program. Program directors from the Graduate Council review all completed applications and reserve the right to request additional information from any applicant. The Graduate Student Admission Requirements are:

•	A completed graduate application and a $50 fee.
•	A copy of immunization records.
•	A personal statement, not exceeding three typed, 8.5 x 11", double-spaced pages, outlining the student’s professional goals and objectives.
•	An official transcript from each college or university the student has attended (must be submitted directly by those institutions to the Office of Admissions).
•	Three completed graduate reference forms (must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions by individuals that know the student’s academic/professional qualifications).
•	A transcript of a Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test scores submitted directly to the Office of Admissions from the Educational Testing service. (This request is waived for students with an existing graduate degree of an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or greater.)

Attention candidates for the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology: Licensure requirements vary from state to state. Each applicant must determine whether he/she is eligible for licensure in a given state by contacting the appropriate state licensing agency prior to application to the University of Great Falls Graduate Studies.

 

The University of Great Falls admits qualified international students to degree seeking programs. The International Students Admission Requirements are:

•	A $35 admission fee (US funds).
•	A completed application for admission.
•	Completed International Student Information Form.
•	A completed financial statement certifying the student’s ability to meet the cost of attendance each year the applicant is in the United States.
•	Official certified copies, preferably in English, of certificates, diplomas, degrees, and course transcripts from secondary schools through the highest level of education achieved.
•	Evidence of enrollment in a health insurance program.
•	Proof of immunization (one rubella and two measles vaccinations) and completion of a medical history statement.
•	International students whose native or original language is not English are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. The minimum score accepted is 500 for written or 173 for computer. Requests for information about TOEFL may be directed to TOEFL, Education Testing Service, P.O. Box 899, Princeton, NJ 08540, or to your local education authorities.

English-speaking students may submit Results of American College Test (ACT) or Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) for academic advising purposes and consideration of no-need/merit scholarships.

All documents for fall semester admission must be received in the Office of Admissions and Records by July 1 for non-Canadian international students and August 1 for Canadian students. All documents for spring semester admission must be received by November 1 for non-Canadian international students and by December 1 for Canadian students.