20-26-604. Types and amounts of scholarships -- criteria. (1) Scholarships must be awarded under the governor's postsecondary scholarship program in accordance with the requirements of this section and criteria established by board policy and procedures pursuant to 20-26-602 and this section.

(2) Scholarships must be awarded on the basis of merit or need. Scholarships may be for either $1,000 or $2,000. Merit-based and need-based scholarships must be awarded in approximately equal monetary amounts.

(3) A merit-based scholarship must be awarded to at least one graduate of every accredited high school in Montana, including accredited nonpublic high schools.

(4) A portion of the money appropriated for need-based scholarships must be designated for applicants planning to attend 2-year postsecondary institutions or 2-year programs at 4-year postsecondary institutions and who plan to focus on specific areas of study that promote economic development or address current or projected critical workforce shortage areas in Montana, such as technology, health sciences, or trades, as provided under policies established by the board pursuant to 20-26-602.