Scholarships
Scholarships are monetary gifts awarded on the basis of academic performance, exemplary achievement or financial need. Scholarships may be offered by a wide variety of organizations. Your school counselor or financial aid office are reliable sources of information for many types of scholarships.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Utah State Board of Regents’ Scholarship encourages Utah high school students to prepare for college academically by taking a rigorous course of study. Student have the opportunity to earn one or more of the following:
- A scholarship for up to $1000 to students who complete a prescribed course of study (based on the Utah Scholars program) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- An Exemplary Academic Achievement Award worth up to 75% of tuition* for two years, until the completion of an associates or bachelors degree, which ever is shorter. Students must complete a prescribed course of study (based on the Utah Scholars program) with a cumulitive GPA of 3.5 or better and a 26 or higher ACT score.
- A supplemental award for up to $100 per year. The award will be a dollar-for-dollar match of the contributions made to the students Utah Educational Savings Plan account made between the students 14th and 17th birthday (not to exceed a cumulative award of $400).
The Regents’ Scholarship may be used at any public college or university in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), as well as at Brigham Young University, LDS Business College, Westminster College, and Western Governors University.
* If used at a private institution that is not within USHE, an Exemplary Academic Achievement Award is equal in value to 75% of the tuition costs at the institution, not to exceed 75% of the average tuition costs at the institutions within USHE.
National Merit Scholarship Program awards many scholarships each year. Students compete on the basis of test scores, academic achievements and school recommendations. Taking the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is required to apply for the scholarships through this program.
New Century Scholarship provides opportunities to Utah high school students who complete the requirements of an associate degree at a state institution of higher education by September 1st of the year they graduate.
Centennial Scholarship for Early Graduation is a partial tuition program. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must graduate early from a Utah high school and must enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within one year of graduation.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is a federally funded program that offers scholarships to students with excellent academic skills in high school and who demonstrate the possibility for continued educational success in college.
Ethnic Minority Scholarship Opportunities There are many financial assistance programs and resources benefiting certain ethnic population.
Private Scholarships
Many civic and community groups such as Rotary Club, Elks, American Legion, 4H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, PTA and others offer scholarships. Many private businesses offer scholarships or loans to employees' children or to students who live in the community where the company is located. Others offer aid to students majoring in fields related to the company's activities or interests. Contact these organizations for more information.
Click here for UtahMentor's free scholarship search engine.
