MSFA Scholarship – School Year ’26-27

Essay Prompts:

Answer BOTH of the following prompts:
1) Discuss the differences between Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution pensions.
2) Discuss how the benefits provided to your family member in the Montana State Firefighters Association affect your family and your future.

- Essays will be graded on originality, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and your ability to express yourself.

- Essays must be double spaced format between one and two pages in length.

Required attachments for first-time applicants are listed on the MSFA First Time Applicant form.

Required attachments for returning applicants are listed on the MSFA Returning Applicant form.

Application Period: Opens March 1, 2026 – Closes 5:00PM Mountain Time, April 15, 2026.

Submissions should be emailed to: Scholarship@MSCOPFF.org

Important: All scholarship applications must be the original work of the applicant. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to AI-generated text, writing assistance, or content creation software, is strictly prohibited. Any submission found to have utilized AI in any part of the application will be immediately disqualified.

MSFA Scholarship Expeactations can also be found on both New and Returning Student Applications

An applicant must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• The scholarships will be made available to the dependent or spouse of current or retired Montana State Firefighters Association members.

• The scholarship will be used for university/college/trade or other post high school education expenses: i.e. tuition, fees, and books.

• Applicants must be attending or planning to attend an accredited university, community college, trade school or other credible post high school experience in the 2026-2027 school year.

• Applicants must personally complete the application packet.

• All correspondence and communication about the scholarship application must come from and/or will be directed to the applicants. (Scholarship@MSCOPFF.org)

• Class ranking and GPA are minor in this process. Most important is a desire to experience a post-high school or continuation in college education.

The Scholarship committee of this Organization shall consist of the Executive Board of this Association.