Utah scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Utah runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Show service scholarships (5) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Utah Promise Grant
Varies based on available funding; up to cost of attendanceUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Apply any timeNeed-based Utah grant that can cover up to the full cost of attendance for Utah residents (recent graduates and adults) at Utah public and participating private nonprofit colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME)
$625 one-time (class of 2026; subject to available funding and number of qualified applicants)Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesOne-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.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Adult Learner Grant Program
Up to the cost of attendanceUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesNeed-based Utah grant, up to cost of attendance, for independent adult students enrolled in eligible online programs in high-need fields.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For adults going back to school, undergrads
- For eligible online programs in designated fields of industry need students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
NASA Space Grant Scholarship (Utah technical colleges)
Varies based on available funding; up to cost of attendanceUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesScholarship toward cost of attendance for U.S. citizens in aerospace-supporting programs at four Utah technical colleges.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For trade school students, students starting college, adults going back to school
- For aerospace-supporting technical programs students
- Who can get it: US citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Talent Development Award Program
Varies based on available funding; resident tuition, fees and booksUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesUtah award covering resident tuition, fees and books (based on funding) through degree completion for students pursuing qualifying high-demand, high-wage degrees at Utah public colleges who intend to work in Utah.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
- For qualifying high-demand, high-wage degree programs (designated by USHE) students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Technical Education Scholarship
Based on available funding; tuition, fees and booksUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesUtah scholarship covering tuition, fees and books (based on funding) for up to three years for students in designated high-demand technical education certificate programs.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For trade school students, students starting college, adults going back to school
- For designated high-demand technical education programs students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Opportunity Scholarship
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.Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Opens laterUtah'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.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 3.3+ GPA
- Usual timing: 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.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards
$1,000 to full tuition for up to one year, depending on the institutionUtah State Board of Education (USBE), with participating Utah public colleges
Opens laterCompetitive scholarships of $1,000 up to full tuition for one year at participating Utah public colleges for outstanding high school seniors in career and technical education (CTE).
- What it takes: state application + essay + recommendation + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, trade school students
- For career and technical education programs students
- Who can get it: lawfully present in the United States
- Usual timing: Annual: application opens early November, due late January; recipients notified February-March (2027: Nov 2, 2026 - Jan 29, 2027).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Higher Education for Senior Citizens and Veterans (space-available tuition exemption)
Tuition and other charges waived except a registration fee (space-available classes)Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-304)
Apply any timeUtah residents 62 or older and veterans can take classes at Utah public colleges on a space-available basis exempt from tuition and other charges, paying only a registration fee.
- Who it's for: Utah resident aged 62+ or veteran
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor Tuition Waiver
Resident tuition and general fees for up to nine semesters (after other scholarships/benefits)Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-306); administered by the Utah Department of Public Safety
Apply any timeUtah public colleges waive resident tuition and general fees for up to nine semesters for the children and surviving spouses of Utah peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: child or surviving spouse of a Utah peace officer or firefighter killed in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Purple Heart Tuition Waiver
Full undergraduate resident tuition; graduate tuition up to $15,000 total (fees not covered)Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-303); verification by the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Apply any timeUtah public colleges waive full undergraduate tuition, and up to $15,000 of graduate tuition, for Utah-resident veterans who earned the Purple Heart.
- Who it's for: Purple Heart recipient (military veteran)
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Scott B. Lundell Military Survivors' Tuition Waiver
Full undergraduate tuition (fees, books and housing not covered)Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-308); certification by the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Apply any timeUtah public colleges waive undergraduate tuition for dependents of Utah service members killed or who died of wounds on active duty (post-9/11 for Guard/Reserve).
- Who it's for: surviving dependent of a Utah service member killed on active duty (military family)
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver for Wards of the State (Foster Youth)
Resident tuition, up to nine semesters (last-dollar after Pell and scholarships)Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-302); administered and reimbursed by the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS)
Apply any timeUtah public colleges waive resident tuition for up to nine semesters for young adults (17-26) who spent at least 24 months in DCFS custody with a long-term foster care goal and were not adopted.
- Who it's for: former foster youth (Utah DCFS custody, long-term foster care goal, not adopted)
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant (PSOCAG)
Up to tuition and fees, maximum $5,000 per year (based on available funding)Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesUtah grant of up to $5,000 per year (up to tuition and fees) for certified peace officers employed by a Utah law enforcement agency who are pursuing a criminal-justice-related degree at a USHE institution.
- Who it's for: certified peace officer employed by a Utah law enforcement agency
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For undergrads, adults going back to school, grad students
- For criminal justice-related programs students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Veterans Tuition Gap Program
Based on available funding; may cover tuition, fees, books, supplies and housing allowanceUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Check datesUtah grant for veterans in the final year of a first bachelor's degree who have used up their federal veteran education benefits; covers tuition, fees, books, supplies and a housing allowance (funding-based).
- Who it's for: military veteran
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
First Responder Mental Health Services Grant
Up to $6,000 per academic year, after all other financial aidUtah System of Higher Education (USHE) - Utah Board of Higher Education
Opens laterUtah grant of up to $6,000 per year (after other aid) for current, volunteer, support-staff or retired Utah first responders studying to become mental health therapists.
- Who it's for: Utah first responder, first responder agency support staff, volunteer, or retired first responder
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
- For mental health therapy (counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, etc.) students
- Usual timing: Two USHE application periods per academic year; 2026-27 second window Oct 15 - Nov 16, 2026 (spring/summer 2027 awards); 2027-28 first window to be announced in spring 2027.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Utah National Guard State Tuition Waiver (STW)
Base tuition waived for one or two semesters (fall and/or spring); fees not coveredUtah National Guard with Utah public colleges and universities (presidential waivers set aside for Guard members, Utah Code 53H-11-305)
Opens laterBase-tuition waiver for one or two semesters for Utah National Guard members studying full-time toward a first associate or bachelor's degree at a Utah public college or university.
- Who it's for: Utah National Guard member
- What it takes: state application + transcript + essay + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 2+ GPA
- Usual timing: Annual: applications January 1 - April 30 for the following school year. 2026-27 applications are closed (waitlist applications accepted).
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.