Opportunity Scholarship
Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Utah's statewide merit scholarship for Utah high school graduates who complete advanced (AP/IB/concurrent) courses and earn a 3.3 GPA; the class of 2026 gets up to $800 per semester for four semesters.
- How much
- Class 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.
- Who qualifies
- Must graduate from a Utah high school with a 3.3 cumulative GPA and one AP, IB or CE course in each of math, science and language arts (three advanced courses total, grades 9-12). FAFSA completion required, but federal aid eligibility is not considered. Full-time enrollment at an eligible Utah college the fall after graduation (or approved deferment).
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- When to apply
- Opens later Annual, senior year of high school: application opens early January, priority deadline late January, final deadline mid/late March (class of 2027: opens Jan 4, priority Jan 29, final Mar 18, 2027); decision emails by early May.
- How to apply
- Apply during your senior year of high school: submit the USHE online Opportunity Scholarship application (link posted on the USHE page when the window opens
- Private-school graduates attach a transcript) and complete the FAFSA (2027-28 FAFSA for the class of 2027) by the deadlines
- Class of 2027 window: January 4 - March 18, 2027 (priority deadline January 29, 2027)
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA + transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ushe.edu), page 2 and page 3
The details
Merit-based, achievement scholarship (statute: Utah Code 53H-11-402). Requirements: 3.3 cumulative high school GPA; three advanced courses completed in grades 9-12 - one Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or Concurrent Enrollment (CE) course in each of math, science and language arts (USBE core codes 07, 08, 06); complete the FAFSA for the applicable year; graduate from a Utah high school (private high school graduates submit a transcript). Award: the maximum is set each year for each graduating class from available funding and the number of qualified applicants - class of 2026: up to $800 per semester for up to four semesters ($3,200 total); classes of 2022-2025: up to $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters. Covers tuition and general student fees only, after all other state aid is applied, so semester awards vary. Recipients must enroll full-time (generally 12+ credits) at an eligible college in the fall after high school graduation (or get an approved deferment, e.g. for military, medical, humanitarian/religious service or attending a public Utah technical college) and keep a semester GPA of about 3.0 (one probation allowed). The scholarship expires five years after high school graduation. Eligible schools: Salt Lake Community College, Snow College, Southern Utah University, Utah State University, Utah Tech University, Utah Valley University, University of Utah, Weber State University, plus BYU (Provo), Ensign College, Western Governors University and Westminster University.
More money from Utah
- First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME)$625 one-time (class of 2026; subject to available funding and number of qualified applicants)
- 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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