First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME)
Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
One-time Utah scholarship ($625 for the class of 2026) for high school seniors who finish five concurrent-enrollment GE courses, a technical-college CTE program, or a youth apprenticeship.
- How much
- $625 one-time (class of 2026; subject to available funding and number of qualified applicants)
- Who qualifies
- Utah high school senior who completes 5 GE concurrent enrollment courses (different GE categories), or 6 courses/300 hours of technical-college CTE, or 300 hours of an approved youth apprenticeship. FAFSA required (opt-out allowed). Requirements for the class of 2027 and later will change under the First Credential master plan.
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual, senior year: Part 1 application ~early January to ~mid/late March; Part 2 acceptance by ~July 1. Class of 2027 dates and requirements not yet published (as of 2026-10-05).
- How to apply
- Apply in your senior year: Part 1 online application on the USHE page (class of 2026 window was January 5 - March 20, 2026), complete the FAFSA, then complete Part 2 (acceptance) from the May email
- Class of 2027 details not yet posted
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026, against the official page (ushe.edu) and page 2
The details
Replaced the PRIME scholarship after HB 260 (2025), effective July 1, 2025. Class of 2026 requirements: complete the 2026-27 FAFSA (or opt out for an approved reason) and complete one high school experience - 5 general education concurrent enrollment courses each in a different GE category, OR at least 6 courses / 300 hours in a CTE program at a Utah technical college, OR 300 hours toward an approved youth apprenticeship (verified by the Utah State Board of Education); meet both application deadlines; enroll at an eligible Utah institution the fall after graduation or get an approved deferral. One-time award applied to tuition, fees, books and supplies: $625 for the class of 2026, subject to funding and number of qualified applicants. Eligible at the 8 public degree-granting institutions, the 8 public technical colleges, BYU (Provo), Ensign College, WGU and Westminster University. Class of 2027 rules will follow a new First Credential master plan and had not been published.
More money from Utah
- Opportunity ScholarshipClass of 2026: up to $800 per semester for up to four semesters ($3,200 total); tuition and general fees only, after other state aid. Class of 2027 amount not yet announced.
- Adult Learner Grant ProgramUp to the cost of attendance
- CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards$1,000 to full tuition for up to one year, depending on the institution
- NASA Space Grant Scholarship (Utah technical colleges)Varies based on available funding; up to cost of attendance
- Talent Development Award ProgramVaries based on available funding; resident tuition, fees and books
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, 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
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