Distance-Only Status

Students enrolled only in online courses may opt into distance-only status for the purpose of waiving the immunization requirement and certain campus-based fees.

Distance-only status is generally not applied to student records by default because distance-only students do not have access to the student services listed below. Switching to distance-only status also affects eligibility for certain scholarships. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information on particular scholarships, loans, or grants.

Cost Comparison

  1. Visit the Student Accounts tuition and fees page.
  2. Select the academic year from the top of the screen.
  3. Compare the cost per credit from the campus-based chart to the online-only chart.

Restrictions

Distance-only students are prohibited from enrolling in any course that requires a face-to-face component.  Registration is limited to course sections with an Attendance Method of "Internet / Online" or "Video Conferencing." These courses are typically denoted with a section number of 50 through 59.

Distance-only status is not available for WUE students due to the WUE scholarship conditions

Distance-only students may reverse their status in order to enroll in face-to-face courses and become eligible for campus services.  However, changes to or from distance-only cannot be made after the 15th class day.

Distance-only students are not eligible for:

  • Certain scholarships, including WUE (Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information)
  • University of Montana Student Health Insurance
  • Student housing
  • Curry Health Center services
  • ASUM services
  • Discounted tickets for athletic events
  • Access to Campus Recreation facilities

Deadlines

Changes to or from distance-only status may only be made through the 15th class day of the semester. Changes may not be made after that date or for past semesters.

Deadlines to submit distance-only forms are posted on the Registrar's Calendar.

Failure to pay your registration bill by the published payment deadline while waiting for a distance-only form to be processed will not result in a late fee waiver.

Payment deadlines are posted on the Student Accounts website. 

Distance-Only Form

Before you submit the form, please note:

  • This form may be used to change your status to/from distance-only or in-person.
  • This form may be used to change your status for one semester or for all future semesters.
  • Your status may be changed only one time per semester
  • Your status cannot be changed for an in-progress semester after the 15th instructional day.
  • Please allow 3 to 5 business days for processing.

Who to contact with questions

Student Type

Office

Phone Number

Newly-admitted undergraduate students

Undergraduate Admissions

(406) 243-6266

Continuing undergraduate students

Office of the Registrar

(406) 243-5600

Graduate students

Graduate School

(406) 243-2572