Homeschool benefits: Missoula College

Through Montana's One-Two-Free program, Missoula College charges no tuition for your student's first two dual enrollment courses (up to 6 credits), and Early College students pay half the in-state rate after that, $196.50 for a 3-credit class in 2026-27. Montana homeschool students who are at least juniors, or 16 to 19 years old, can apply. Other options include recreation and camp discounts.

By Andrew Garber, founder of TheHomeschoolingCompany. Reviewed August 25, 2026.

Missoula College Early College and scholarship

Who qualifies

1. Lives in Montana

   Montana high school and homeschool students get One-Two-Free and the dual enrollment tuition rate. Out-of-state students pay nonresident Missoula College tuition and fees.

2. Is a junior or 16-19

   Your student must be at least a high school junior or between 16 and 19, and on track to finish a diploma within four years. Some sophomores are admitted as exceptions.

3. Applies as a homeschool student

   On the first question of the application, choose "Montana High School/Home School student." A student under 18 adds a parent or guardian as an approver.

4. Takes 100- or 200-level courses

   Early College students can take any 100- or 200-level course on campus or online in fall, spring, or summer, under the same deadlines and policies as other undergraduates.

What it saves

Missoula College lists 2026-27 in-state tuition at $131 per credit, and Early College students pay 50% of that rate, $65.50 per credit.

One 3-credit class at the regular in-state rate

$393

One 3-credit class at the Early College rate

$196.50

First two classes, up to 6 credits

Free

Each later 3-credit class

$196.50

Later classes with the Beyond 1-2-Free Scholarship

Tuition covered

Mandatory fees are not charged to Early College students, but you still pay any course fees, textbooks, materials, and a parking permit if your student parks on campus.

From applying to keeping it

1. By Jan. 6, 2027

   Apply for spring

   Submit the online dual enrollment application before the Early College deadline. Spring semester begins January 13, 2027, and the autumn 2026 deadline has passed.

2. After you apply

   Finish the application

   An email from BeAGriz@umontana.edu sends login details. Create a password, complete each section, and add a parent approver if your student is under 18.

3. Each term

   Choose courses

   Send a course selection form listing each course number, title, and 5-digit CRN if you know it. The office registers your student if seats are open, and you confirm the schedule in GrizPortal.

4. Once a year

   Apply for the scholarship

   If your household qualifies, file the Beyond 1-2-Free Scholarship application once each year to cover tuition past the first two classes.

What it pays for

Covered

• Tuition on the first two courses
• Half of in-state tuition on later Early College courses
• Later tuition with the Beyond 1-2-Free Scholarship

Not covered

• Textbooks and materials
• Course and program fees
• Campus parking permits
• Federal financial aid

The two free courses come first; after that, your student pays the Early College rate unless the Beyond 1-2-Free Scholarship covers the tuition.

Who to contact

Program director Jordan Patterson and dual enrollment specialist Ben Nelson answer questions about eligibility, course choices, and scholarships.

DualEnrollment@UMontana.edu 406-243-7901 Dual enrollment program

Missoula Share the Fun and CityCard

Who qualifies

1. Lives inside Missoula city limits

   The card is for City of Missoula residents only. A Missoula mailing address does not guarantee city residency, and county residents outside city limits cannot buy one.

2. Shows proof of address

   Bring a current utility, cable, internet, or cell phone bill, a pay stub, or a voter registration card. A driver's license is not accepted.

3. Buys a card for each person

   Each family member who wants the discount needs their own card, and you can only buy cards for people who live in your household. The city lists no school-enrollment requirement, so a homeschooled child qualifies the same way as any other resident.

What the card gives you

The terms come from the City of Missoula's Resident Discount Card page and its Share the Fun policy sheet.

Discount on eligible programs

About 20%

New card, per household member

$2

Yearly renewal, per card

$1

Card good through

Dec. 31

Share the Fun grant for city residents

Up to $330 a year

Programs with sliding fee scales, such as Afterschool and School's Out Camps, and programs run by contracted providers do not take the CityCard discount.

How to get the card

1. Before you go

   Find a bill with your address

   Pick a current bill, pay stub, or voter registration card that shows your physical address inside city limits.

2. At Currents Aquatics Center

   Buy the cards

   The customer service desk at 600 Cregg Lane in McCormick Park confirms your city residency and sells a $2 card for each household member.

3. Each time you pay

   Use the card

   Show the card at Currents or Splash Montana, or have staff look it up in your online registration account, to get the resident rate.

4. Each January

   Renew for $1

   Cards run until December 31, so renew each card for $1 to keep the discount in the new year.

What it includes

Included

• Admission at Currents Aquatics Center and Splash Montana
• Swim passes and swim punch cards
• Youth and adult recreation programs

Not included

• Programs with a sliding fee scale
• Programs run by contracted providers
• Residents outside city limits

City property taxes help pay for these programs, which is why the resident rate is limited to people who live inside city limits.

Who to contact about the card

Missoula Parks and Recreation answers questions about the Resident Discount Card, city residency, and Share the Fun grants.

parksrec@ci.missoula.mt.us 406-721-7275 Resident Discount Cards

Homeschool rules and statewide help in Montana

You must notify the county superintendent each school fiscal year. State law does not set a specific calendar deadline.

Montana sets these rules:

• Subjects: Provide an organized course covering the public-school basic instructional program and meet grade-level aggregate hours: 720 for grades 1–3 and 1,080 for grades 4–12. Kindergarten is 360 hours half-time or 720 full-time. For graduating seniors, 1,050 hours may suffice; statutory proficiency exceptions may apply.
• Testing: Montana does not require standardized testing for homeschoolers.
• Records: Montana requires you to keep attendance records and make them available to the county superintendent on request. Current homeschool law does not require immunization records.
• Teachers: No state teaching-license or degree requirement for a homeschool parent.

Montana also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.

• Montana's special-needs Education Savings Account reimburses approved tuition, curriculum, tutoring, and therapy costs for students with a qualifying disability. Check the program's current notices: a court stay has affected when it operates.

Read the Montana homeschooling guide See statewide programs in Montana

Find benefits for your ZIP code