Idaho Opportunity Scholarship | Financial Aid | BYU-Idaho

# Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

BYU-Idaho is excited to partner with Next Steps Idaho in accepting the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, a scholarship for Idaho residents who have graduated from an Idaho high school, Idaho home school, or who passed the GED/HSE test in Idaho.

## What is Idaho Opportunity Scholarship?

The Idaho Opportunity Scholarship is a scholarship provided by the State of Idaho that any Idaho high school graduate can apply for, it doesn't matter if you are part of the Class of 2025 or not. Renewable for up to 4 years, awards can provide up to $3500 a year, that's up to $14,000 over four years if you continue to meet annual eligibility requirements.

****To receive this award you must meet the State's requirements:****

1. Have an unweighted, cumulative GPA of at least a 2.7
2. Be an Idaho resident.
3. Graduate or will graduate from an Idaho high school, Idaho home school, or its equivalent. (GED/HSE from Idaho)
4. Must attend during the upcoming academic year. (fall semester)
5. Must be pursuingyour firstcertificate, first associate's degree, or first bachelor's degree. 
 1. This scholarship cannot be used for graduate school.
6. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ****(FAFSA) by March 1st****for the year you are applying. 
 1. 2025-26 academic year (Fall 2025-Spring 2026): 2025-26 FAFSA.
 2. Make sure to include BYU-Idaho as a school on your FAFSA.
7. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progressas specified in program rules.
8. Apply to and enroll at BYU-Idaho.

## How Do I Apply?

Apply at Idaho Opportunity Scholarship - Next Steps Idaho

USE YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL WHEN APPLYING NOT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL EMAIL so you can continue to receive information after graduation.

Other information you will need:

- Your social security number.
- Your high school GPA and graduation date.
- You and your parents' demographic information.
- You will need to verify your email.
- Choose BYU-Idaho as the institution you plan on attending.
- Complete the FAFSA for the coming academic year.

****Remember starting 2025-2026, you can only apply for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship OR the Idaho LAUNCH Grant. You can't apply for both.****

More information from Next Steps Idaho on applying for Idaho Scholarships can be found at Next Steps Idaho.

## Important Dates

- Application open October 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
- Deadline to Submit FAFSA: March 1, 2025
- Round 1 Official Offers sent via email: TBD
- Round 1 acceptance deadline: TBD

## Who Gets An Idaho Opportunity Scholarship?

The Opportunity Scholarship is need-based

- 70% of the scores given to students' applications are based on the SAI from the FAFSA.
- 30% is based on students' GPAs.
- A final score is calculated based on the combined need score and merit score.
- Applicants are then ranked from highest to lowest, based on the final score.

The number of scholarships available is based on how much funding is available that year.

## After I Apply, What's Next?

1. Check your email often and respond quickly, especially in the summer. 
 1. All offers will be sent from Scholarship Idaho using the email you used during account creation.
2. Contingent offers are NOT final until the State Board of Education: 
 1. Verifies your 2025-2026 FAFSA submission by March 1, 2025 and;
 2. Ranks all applications based on need (FAFSA) and merit (GPA).
3. Be sure to ****accept any Idaho Opportunity Scholarship offers****! 
 1. Applicants MUST accept their official offer and verify their details by the date listed in their offer email.

A failure to respond to any offer by the deadline will constitute an express rejection of the offer and it is not appealable.

## What If I Am Going On A Mission?

****Leave of absence requests must be submitted in writing to****joy.miller@osbe.idaho.gov****60 days before the semester that your leave begins.****

## When Do I Get My Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Money?

If you are enrolled in 12 credits your scholarship should be disbursed the first 3-5 days of the semester.

If you are enrolled in fewer credits it may take a little longer for your scholarship to disburse. If your money has not been disbursed after the first week of the semester, please email idahostateaid@byui.edu.

## Renewing Your Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

### Credit requirements for 2025-2026 awards (NEW):

****To remain eligible for renewal, you must meet specific credit benchmarks based on how many years you have received the Idaho Opportunity scholarship:****

- After first year (completed 30 credits)
- After second year (completed 60 credits)
- After third year (completed 90 credits)

Email idahostateaid@byui.edu for any questions about your specific renewal requirements.

Annual Renewal deadline:

- Complete the renewal confirmation/questionnaire by March 1st.

Academic Progress:

- Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA.
- Meet BYU-Idaho's satisfactory academic progress standards.
- Stay on track for timely degree completion. 
 - Associate's Degree: 2 years
 - Bachelor's Degree: 4 years

Email idahostateaid@byui.edu with any questions.

## Important Reminders

You must still be enrolled on the Financial Aid Determination Date or your scholarship will be returned.