On June 14, 2021, the MTDA Governing Board exercised its authority granted by MCA 20-7-1202 to begin cost-sharing with districts. The legislature continues to provide an appropriation to MTDA at the level established in 2015.
This decision, which was not taken lightly, was made to continue to offer a wide variety of supplemental courses to all Montana students while maintaining our commitment to deliver highly responsive customer service and support to students, parents, and school communities.
MTDA Cost sharing fees vary depending on the program. Please select the program below to view the most current pricing for services. Each program maintains a helpful FAQ as well.
If you have any questions regarding cost sharing at MTDA, please contact us at our support desk, and we will be happy to assist you.
MTDA course cost-sharing fee for the 2024-2025 school year:
- $123 per semester enrollment for original credit
- $61.50 per quarter enrollment for FlexCAP
MTDA course cost-sharing fee for the 2025-2026 school year (Begins Summer 2025 Term):
- $128 per semester enrollment for original credit
- $64.00 per quarter enrollment for FlexCAP
This fee represents only a small portion of the overall cost of each student enrollment in MTDA courses.
As you navigate this new model, we are sharing a few resources for your reference:
- FAQs on MTDA cost-sharing (Below)
- MTDA Account Aging Policy
Dual Credit Courses will remain at no cost-share to districts, per an agreement with the Board of Regents, for the 2025-26 school year. NOTE: Cost alone should not be a deciding factor for enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost-sharing amount?
Original Credit: $123 per semester course enrollment (24-25). $128 per semester course enrollment (25-26) Begins summer 2025 term.
Example: Sally Student is enrolled in Oceanography and Mythology for the semester. The school district will be billed for $246 ($123 x 2 courses) for that student enrollment.
FlexCAP: $61.50 per quarter course enrollment (24-25). $64.00 per quarter course enrollment (25-26) Begins March 17, 2025 with the start of the 25-26 term.
All FlexCAP courses are broken down into quarter lengths (identified as Part 1 & 2) to give schools maximum flexibility. All FlexCAP enrollments will begin with Part 1 of the semester-based course.
Dual Credit Courses will remain at no cost-share to districts, per an agreement with the Board of Regents, for the 2025-26 school year.
Can MTDA cost-sharing fees be paid by parents?
MCA 20-7-1202 provides the following guidance:
“Funding — rulemaking authority. (2) A school district is prohibited from charging a fee to a student who enrolls in a class provided by the Montana digital academy that the school district requires for graduation.” https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0200/chapter_0070/part_0120/section_0020/0200-0070-0120-0020.html
MTDA is not in a position to interpret 20-7-1202 to clarify specific circumstances where you can or cannot hand a cost to a third party. We would suggest bringing in your school’s legal counsel, or alternatively, if your district is a member of the Montana School Board Association, they are prepared for your call to discuss specifics regarding this issue.
Can MTDA accept personal checks?
MTDA respectfully requests payment from the district for the entirety of an invoice. We are unable to accept personal checks.
Does MTDA have a cost estimate based on our past enrollment?
Yes, please email support@montanadigitalacademy.org requesting a cost estimate using your district’s previous enrollment data.
How can I enroll a student?
MTDA requires districts to identify “Site Facilitators” to enroll students in the program. These “Site Facilitators” are authorized by the district to incur cost-sharing fees associated with enrolling students on behalf of the district. MTDA maintains a list of authorized site facilitators approved by the district. MTDA requires either the district superintendent or school principal to designate authorized staff responsible for enrolling students.
MTDA will annually contact the district with the current authorized Site Facilitators for review.
To facilitate smooth student enrollment, districts are encouraged to contact MTDA to change or review their approved Site Facilitator List by emailing support@montanadigitalacademy.org
Can other staff have access to the system without enrolling authority?
Yes, MTDA provides the role of “Local Support” to be able to view current enrollments, check grades, and monitor communications. The Local Support role does not have the ability to enroll students in MTDA courses.
How is billing handled?
Original Credit:
During student enrollment, MTDA will require a PO number to be referenced for each student enrollment. This can be the same or a separate PO number for each enrollment.
Upon enrollment, the Site Facilitator will be asked to confirm they have the authorization to complete the enrollment process.
For Spring 2025, courses begin January 21st. Students may be dropped from enrollment until the drop deadline, February 11th, without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (February 12th) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $123 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Spring 2025 – February 11th).
For Summer Session 1 2025, courses begin June 16th, 2025. Students may be dropped from enrollment until the drop deadline, June 23rd, without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (June 23rd) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $128 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Summer 2025 – June 23rd).
For Summer Session 2 2025, courses begin July 21st, 2025. Students may be dropped from enrollment until the drop deadline, June 23rd, without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (June 23rd) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $128 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Summer 2025 – June 23rd).
FlexCAP:
During student enrollment, MTDA will require a PO number to be referenced for each student enrollment. This can be the same or a separate PO number for each enrollment. Upon enrollment, the Site Facilitator will be asked to confirm they have the authorization to complete the enrollment process.
FlexCAP 2024-25 School Year
Students have 11 weeks from enrollment to complete the quarter course. Students may be dropped up to one week after enrollment without incurring a fee from MTDA. One week after enrollment, the $61.50 per quarter course enrollment fee will be invoiced. MTDA will be invoicing schools after the drop period has passed.
Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop period. Students who do not complete the course after 11 weeks from enrollment will be considered to have failed and be dropped from the course.
Does MTDA accept credit card payments?
Currently, MTDA requires a PO number for enrollment only. Credit card payments are not supported at this time.
What are the enrollment periods?
HS and MS Original Credit :
Spring 2025:
Original Credit, Dual Credit, and Middle School will open on November 1st, 2024. The initial course request deadline is January 15th, 2025. The late enrollment deadline is January 24th, 2025.
FlexCAP:
FlexCAP is an open enrollment program and is open for the school year 24-25. (Summer Session is included in the FlexCAP 24-25 term, please refer to the briefing document on the Schools page for more information).
How are drops going to be handled?
MTDA will maintain its standard drop periods.
Original Credit and Middle School:
For Spring 2025, courses begin January 21st. Students may be dropped from enrollment until the drop deadline, February 11th, without the district being charged a cost-sharing fee. After the drop deadline has passed (February 12th) all enrollments by the district will be invoiced a cost-sharing fee of $123 per course enrollment. Invoices will be emailed to the superintendent, principal, and district clerk on record. Invoices will include a detailed report of the students enrolled, PO number(s), and the enrolling Site Facilitator.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop deadline (Spring 2025 – February 11th).
FlexCAP:
2024-25 School Year
Students have 11 weeks from enrollment to complete the quarter course. Students may be dropped up to one week after enrollment without incurring a fee from MTDA. One week after enrollment, the $61.50 per quarter course enrollment fee will be invoiced. MTDA will be invoicing schools after the drop period has passed.
If a school decides to request a drop after the drop period, MTDA will honor the request and report a W/F back to the district. MTDA does not issue refunds for drops initiated after the drop period. Students who do not complete the course after 11 weeks from enrollment will be considered to have failed and be dropped from the course.
What is the maximum number of courses a student can be enrolled in?
School Year Terms
Students can be enrolled in a maximum of 7 Original Credit and/or FlexCAP courses per semester. Note: If using FlexCAP for a student to recover credit, MTDA recommends enrolling in one course at a time.
Will MTDA take enrollments directly from students or parents?
No, MTDA will continue the enrollment process through a student’s local public school, as defined in law. Any direct calls MTDA receives from students or parents inquiring about enrollment will be referred back to the student’s local public school.
What courses will MTDA be offering for Spring 2025?
Please refer to our course catalog.
What available funds can I use to support my school’s use of MTDA?
ESSER funds can likely help support many implementation scenarios for all of MTDA’s formats, including Original Credit, Credit Recovery, and IPCs. To assist with reporting, contact Wendi Fawns, ESSER/EANS Director (406.437.8595 or wendi.fawns@mt.gov).
Title IV-A funds (part of the ESEA/ESSA Consolidated Grant application for schools) can likely support many implementation scenarios for all MTDA formats, including Original Credit, Credit Recovery, and IPCs. For assistance and/or more information, contact Paige Sedahl, Program Manager Title IV-A (406.422.2821 or paige.sedahl@mt.gov).
Title II, Part A funds may be appropriate for funding some MTDA formats including Original Credit (as long as it isn’t offered by the school district), FlexCAP, and IPCs. To get assistance with those scenarios, contact Christy Hendricks, Federal Grants Coordinator (406.444.0794 or christy.hendricks@mt.gov).
Title I, Part A funds might be appropriate for funding some MTDA formats including Original Credit, FlexCAP, and IPCs. To get assistance with those scenarios, contact Serena Wright, Title I Specialist (406.410.4098 or serena.wright@mt.gov).
MTDA Clearinghouse was created by the 2023 Montana Legislature, to expand digital learning services available to K-12 students in Montana public schools. The Clearinghouse provides schools access to digital content, online courses, and other educational services from MTDA and third-party providers through a centralized portal.
The Montana Digital Academy administers the Clearinghouse, evaluates providers, courses, resources, and services for quality, negotiates group pricing, assists schools with implementation, and provides expertise and leadership in digital learning.
During the 2024-25 Pilot School Year the following Cost Share fees apply:
- During the 2024-2025 school year, Digital Content & Platforms (DCP), Enrichment, and Vaping Prevention digital resources will be provided at no cost to schools.
- Third-party courses, CTE, or supplemental content and resources will be provided at a 2024-25 pilot-year discount of $50.00 per student enrollment towards any course or supplemental content.
Beginning July 1, 2025, for the school year 2025-2026 the following Cost Share fees will apply for Clearinghouse content and courses:
Clearinghouse Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to school use of no-cost Clearinghouse courses?
Answer: No.
Example: School District A enrolls 30 students in “Kindness is Good For You”, six students in Dick Anderson Pre-Apprentice CORE course, and three students in Nicotine Prevention for vaping infractions during the 2025-26 school year.
Cost to school district: $0.00
How long does a student’s access to no-cost courses last once enrolled?
Answer: Students enrolled in enrichment courses have access from July 1, 2025, through June 13, 2026.
How is MTDA Clearinghouse billing handled?
Answer: Schools will receive a full accounting of their monthly Clearinghouse billing that outlines no-cost purchases and cost-share content. For information regarding your specific case use please contact support@mtda.org.
If a school begins the 2025-26 school year using the Core Subscription Digital Content & Platform (DCP) program and at the semester they no longer wish to use the program, do they receive a refund?
Answer: No. Purchasing access to a DCP course provides access for a full year, no partial refunds will be issued.
Can a school switch from Core Per Enrollment payment to Core Subscription Enrollment payment during the year?
Answer: MTDA automatically analyzes current enrollment and will automatically provide the best cost option to the school.
How can I enroll a student in MTDA Clearinghouse courses?
Answer: MTDA Clearinghouse utilizes the same procedures as MTDA distance learning courses.
How does a teacher obtain access to Digital Content & Platform (DCP) Courses?
Answer: Teachers or administrators interested in using MTDA Clearinghouse DCP courses should email support@mtda.org and set up a trial and/or DCP account.
What are the enrollment periods for MTDA Clearinghouse?
Answer: MTDA Clearinghouse has flexible enrollment options to allow schools to enroll students at any point during the academic year. Additional questions about specific offerings in the Clearinghouse can be answered by emailing support@mtda.org.
How are drops going to be handled in the MTDA Clearinghouse?
Answer: Schools are provided with a 28-day drop period from the date of enrollment. After the drop period has lapsed schools will be billed (if applicable) for the enrollment.
What is the maximum number of MTDA Clearinghouse courses a student can be enrolled in?
Answer: Students may be enrolled in 7 MTDA Clearinghouse courses concurrently.
Will MTDA Clearinghouse take enrollments directly from students or parents?
Answer: No, MTDA Clearinghouse will continue the enrollment process through a student’s local public school, as defined in law. Any direct calls MTDA Clearinghouse receives from students or parents inquiring about enrollment will be referred back to the student’s local public school.
What courses and content will MTDA Clearinghouse be offering for Spring 2025?
Answer: Please refer to the MTDA website and access the Clearinghouse Course Catalog for Spring 2025 content and course offerings.