Idaho LAUNCH (high school seniors)
Idaho Workforce Development Council (Office of the Governor)
Pays 80% of tuition and fees, up to $8,000, for Idaho's graduating high school seniors entering an approved in-demand career program at an Idaho college, technical school or training provider.
- How much
- 80% of tuition and fees, up to $8,000 total (no more than $4,000 in the first year for programs 12+ months long)
- Who qualifies
- Current-year graduate of an Idaho public, charter, private, home school or GED program, under 21 by April 15; Idaho resident; enroll in an approved program at an eligible Idaho institution the fall after graduation; Career Pathway Plan required. No GPA or FAFSA requirement. Cannot be combined with the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, trade school students
- For approved in-demand career programs students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Open now · due April 15, 2027 Annual, senior year: opens October 1, priority deadline November 30, final deadline April 15; final award acceptance May 31; diploma upload June 30; enroll the following fall.
- How to apply
- Apply on Scholarship Idaho (scholarships.idaho.gov) between October 1 and April 15 (priority deadline November 30)
- Accept the contingent award within two weeks, complete your Career Pathway Plan, then accept the final award and upload documents in the Idaho Grant Management System by May 31 and your diploma/transcript by June 30
- What you'll need
- state application + transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (nextsteps.idaho.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Statute: Idaho Code 72-1204 and 72-1205 (in-demand careers fund; effective until July 1, 2029). One-time grant covering 80% of tuition and fees up to $8,000. No more than half ($4,000) can be used in the first year, except programs shorter than 12 months can use the full amount in one year; funds must be used within three years unless an extension is granted (religious, military, AmeriCorps/Peace Corps service, medical, incarceration, or program not offered in the fall). About $75 million a year, enough for almost 10,000 awards. Eligible programs: approved in-demand career programs at Idaho community colleges, colleges and universities, apprenticeships, CDL and other workforce training. Eligibility: graduate from the current high school graduating class of an Idaho public, charter, private or home school or GED program, under age 21 by April 15; Idaho resident; enrolled in or applied to an eligible Idaho institution; begin enrollment the fall after graduation; complete a Career Pathway Plan by May 31 through Next Steps Idaho. No GPA requirement and no FAFSA required. If applications exceed funds, awards are prioritized by in-demand career ranking, then financial need. Students may have to repay funds for unsatisfactory academic progress, expulsion, dropping out/no-show, or moving out of state. Cannot be combined with the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
More money from Idaho
- Idaho LAUNCH for Adults80% of tuition and fees, up to $3,500
- Idaho Opportunity ScholarshipUp to $3,500 per academic year, renewable for up to four years (up to $14,000 total); last-dollar, so awards vary
- Idaho Opportunity Scholarship for Adult LearnersUp to $3,500 per academic year, renewable for up to four years; prorated for part-time (50% at 6-8 credits, 75% at 9-11 credits)
- Advanced Opportunities Early Graduation ScholarshipAbout $1,800-$2,400 per year of high school skipped (35% of the statewide per-pupil funding amount for each year skipped)
- Idaho Dental Education Program (IDEP)State financial support toward dental school (amount not stated)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.