The "Desperate Housewives" star was sentenced in Boston's federal court Friday after pleading guilty in May to a single count of conspiracy and fraud.
She was also given a $30,000 fine, 250 hours of community service and a year of supervised release.
She has admitted to paying an admissions consultant $15,000 to have a proctor correct her daughter's SAT exam answers in 2017.
Prosecutors had recommended a month in prison and a $20,000 fine. Huffman's lawyers said she should get a year of probation, 250 hours of community service and a $20,000 fine.
Huffman said before sentencing that "I am deeply ashamed of what I have done.