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We could not agree more that Idaho is one state in the United States with the best educational opportunities. It is also a great starting point for your adulthood, rich in natural beauty and cultural diversity. Best of all, the cost of studying in Idaho is relatively affordable for all students, particularly through the provision of the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.
In this blog post, you will get to read about all the must-knows regarding this opportunity. Without further ado, let us dive into it.
About the Scholarship
You may be an Idaho resident, but tilt your head at the mention of “Opportunity Scholarship”. That makes sense because, believe it or not, it is sadly a little-known state fund that policy makers, in fact, had worked so hard more than a decade ago to design for college students.
Back in 2007, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter and the Idaho Legislature set up a $100 million donation to college scholarships. Today, the Idaho State Board of Education is also inviting taxpayers to donate to the cause.
The program aims to remove barriers to higher education and, ultimately, meet the state’s need for a well-educated workforce.
The scholarship funds are available each academic year and are paid as-you-go. As it is a renewable scholarship, recipients can receive up to four years of scholarship in their college or university education as long as they remain eligible.
What sort of assistance can you expect from the scholarship?
Basically, Idaho Scholarship Opportunity recipients will be entitled to a tuition reimbursement. The Board of Education will send payments to recipients through the designated official of the institution in which they are enrolled. The available Idaho Opportunity Scholarship amount for each school year is $3,500.
While it is called a “scholarship,” there is a condition in which the recipient must return the program funds. It occurs when a student cannot meet the advanced requirements. Therefore, check all the following eligibility to make sure you have what it takes to become a winner.
Eligibility
Students must meet all the requirements below to qualify for the scholarship:
- Be an Idaho resident
- Pursue their first undergraduate degree from an accredited Idaho institution
- Have an unweighted GPA of 7 on a 4.0 scale or an ACT score of 20 or a SAT score of 1,010 or better
- Demonstrate financial need
- Not be in default on a student educational loan, or owe a repayment on a federal grant
- Be in good financial standing with the scholarship program
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes
On the other hand, here is the list of colleges or universities recognized by the Idaho State Board of Education:
- Boise State University
- College of Idaho
- Brigham Young University
- Idaho State University
- College of Western Idaho
- North Idaho College
- Northwest Nazarene University
- College of Southern Idaho
- University of Idaho
- Western Governors University
- College of Eastern Idaho
- Lewis-Clark State College
In addition, to remain eligible for the scholarship, recipients must meet these Idaho Scholarship Opportunity renewal requirements:
- Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours or its equivalent each academic year
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 7 on a 4.0 scale or better
- Not exceed the equivalent of eight semesters or four academic years to earn a degree
Idaho Scholarship Opportunity Application
To apply to the program, you must first complete your application here before the deadline. You will need an account for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship login purpose, so create one by entering your email, personal information, Social Security Number (SSN), and password.
You will only be able to access the application form after your account has been verified, so check your email to confirm that. Return to the application portal, enter your personal information, qualifications, and scholarship options.
Before clicking the Submit button, review your application again to check for any incomplete data. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
Also, complete and submit your FAFSA before March 1, as previously mentioned. At this point, all you need to do is wait for the announcement of the award. It usually takes place on June 1 every year. Winners can expect to receive their payout by July 1 of that year.
What does the Board of Education take into account when selecting scholarship recipients? The board will select eligible students based on the following ranking criteria:
- 70% of recipients qualify based on their financial eligibility.
- 30% of recipients qualify based on their academic eligibility.
Another criterion is the availability of award funds. Most importantly, preference is given to past recipients who have complied with all renewal requirements.
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship Deadline
This year’s application opens on October 1, 2022 and ends on March 1, 2023. Submit your completed form before the closing date to secure your seat!
Contact Details
Got questions we have not covered here? Send an email to scholarshiphelp@osbe.idaho.gov for a spot-on solution. Alternatively, you can contact the scholarship program manager Joy Miller at 208-332-1595 or the technical records specialist Sierra Sanchez at 208-332-1576.
Looking for other generous scholarships for undergraduate students? These scholarships may be perfect for you:
