Financial Assistance
For families seeking tuition assistance, please see below for more information about scholarship opportunities.
We look forward to working with you on your child’s education at Woodland Montessori School!
WMS Foundation Scholarship
Here at Woodland Montessori, we are dedicated to providing quality early childhood education to all of our community members. The Woodland Montessori Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) branch of Woodland Montessori School, was established in 2005 to provide financial support to families seeking tuition assistance. The Foundation receives its funding from monies raised at Woodland Montessori's annual events.
The Foundation provides a limited number of partial scholarships each year for currently enrolled students. Applications are reviewed and funds awarded in the summer for the following school year. If you would like to apply for a WMS Foundation Scholarship for your currently enrolled child(ren), please submit this online application. The online application fee of $60.00 is non-refundable. Please be aware that FAST applications are only reviewed during the open enrollment period. If your child is on the waiting list and not currently enrolled, please note that submitting the scholarship application is non-refundable and does not guarantee your child's enrollment.
Best Beginnings Scholarship
Woodland Montessori accepts Montana's Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship! This state-funded scholarship is available to families who meet certain income-level requirements. Learn more about eligibility and the application process by going online to the Child Care Resources website.
The Best Beginnings Scholarship covers tuition only. Recipients are responsible for paying the Enrollment Deposit, Enrollment & Supply Fees, Leadership Year (Kindergartener) Fee, and any other additional monthly fees not associated with tuition. Recipients must have a current standing scholarship and a copy of your approval letter submitted to the office prior to your child(ren) first day.
Student Scholarship Organization (SSO)
The Montana Tax Credits for Contributions to Student Scholarship Organizations program allows individuals and corporations to claim a 100% tax credit for contributions made to approved Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs)—nonprofits that provide scholarships for private school tuition and tutoring. Woodland Montessori School (WMS) was approved as a Qualified Education Provider, which allows us to receive scholarship funds for children ages five and above. Because WMS has limited funds, scholarships are awarded during our annual scholarship review based on availability and need (an application must be submitted). Scholarships from this student scholarship organization may be used at any qualified education provider of the parents’ or legal guardian’s choice. 15-30-3103 (1)(j)(iii), MCA.
*As of 2025, families who have been awarded SSO funds have only used them at WMS and have opted not to use them at any other qualified education provider.
What is an SSO?
An SSO is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity that receives donations from individuals and businesses to provide scholarships to eligible students for use at a qualified education provider (QEP). SSOs must allocate at least 90% of their annual revenues from donations eligible for the tax credit to providing the scholarships. Only QEPs can receive scholarships from SSOs on behalf of eligible students. A QEP is an accredited or non-accredited private education provider that qualifies for an exemption from compulsory enrollment under sections 20-5-102(2)(e), MCA, and 20-5-109, MCA, and is not considered a home school under section 20-5-102(2)(e), MCA. QEPs must meet the health and safety requirements for private schools in Montana. Students eligible to receive scholarships from SSOs are Montana residents over the age of five on or 8 before September 10, but not older than 19, of the year of attendance at the QEP. SSOs maintain their own application processes under which applications are accepted, reviewed, approved, and denied. Any eligible student may apply with the SSO for a scholarship to any QEP of the parent or legal guardian’s choice. A scholarship may not exceed the per-pupil average of total public school expenditures calculated in section 20-9-570, MCA. The per-pupil average of total public school expenditures is calculated by the Office of Public Instruction. More information about the calculation and amount can be found on their website at opi.mt.gov. An SSO cannot choose the QEP or any particular type of QEP that the eligible student attends. Only parents or legal guardians can choose which QEP receives the eligible student’s scholarship. Once an SSO approves a scholarship application, the SSO sends the scholarship to the QEP of the parent or legal guardian’s choice. If necessary, an SSO may transfer funds to another SSO.
For a list of approved Qualified Education Provided (QEP) click this link.