Utah Scholarships and Aid Programs
The state of Utah offers several programs to provide financial assistance to students. Below are statewide scholarships that provide options for high school graduates to receive financial support to attend Utah colleges or universities. Read the information in the table and talk to your financial aid office to learn more about these, including programs for non-traditional students, adult learners, and current college students.
Utah Colleges and Universities
| Public, Technical Colleges | Public, Degree Granting Institutions | Private, non-profit Utah Institutions** |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgerland Technical College | Salt Lake Community College* | Brigham Young University (Provo campus) |
| Davis Technical College | Snow College* | Ensign College |
| Dixie Technical College | Southern Utah University | Western Governors University |
| Mountainland Technical College | University of Utah | Westminster University |
| Ogden-Weber Technical College | Utah State University* | |
| Southwest Technical College | Utah Tech University (formerly Dixie State University) | |
| Tooele Technical College | Utah Valley University | |
| Uintah Basin Technical College | Weber State University |
- *Degree-granting institutions that also offer technical education programs. The following Utah State regional campuses offer technical education programs: Utah State University – Eastern, Utah State University – Moab, and Utah State University – Blanding.
- **This list is not exhaustive of all private colleges and universities in Utah but includes those that participate in most state aid programs.
Higher Education Terms
- Cost of Attendance: Scholarships that help cover “cost of attendance” can typically help students with tuition, fees, required books, room and board, and transportation. We strongly recommend checking with your college or university for more information about what costs each scholarship can help you with.
- FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free application students can complete to qualify for federal grants, work-study, and loans. The FAFSA is required for several state and institutional aid programs. Many Utah high schools host free FAFSA completion nights to help students complete the online form. You can also find more resources to help complete the FAFSA here. Students can also find helpful resources and complete the FAFSA at StudentAid.Gov.
2024-25 FAFSA Applicants
This year, there is an additional funding option for students who can’t complete the FAFSA due to new form limitations:
- The Board of Higher Education has approved a short-term grant for students who can’t complete the FAFSA due to new form limitations. Eligible students must be enrolled at a USHE institution, demonstrate unsuccessful FAFSA completion efforts, and demonstrate financial need. Contact your institution’s financial aid office for application details.
All financial aid programs listed on this page are subject to change based on legislative or administrative action. Funding is not guaranteed. Please refer back to this page often for updates
Scholarships and Aid Programs
Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship encourages students to complete advanced courses while in high school to prepare academically for college. Students must apply during their senior year of high school. This scholarship can help cover the cost of tuition and fees after other state aid is applied, with a maximum award amount set annually.
Utah Promise Grant
The Utah Promise Grant is a statewide scholarship program that expands access to higher education opportunities to all Utahns by providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need.
First Credential Scholarship (Formerly PRIME)
The First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME) is awarded to students who complete required concurrent enrollment (CE), career and technical education (CTE) coursework, or complete a youth apprenticeship in high school.
T.H. Bell Education Scholarship
The T.H. Bell Education Scholarship Program aims to recruit and support students who are interested in serving as public educators in Utah and who enroll in an approved education program. T.H. Bell Scholarships may cover up to the cost of resident tuition, fees, and books. It also may be received for up to four consecutive years.
WICHE Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP)
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) allows Utah residents to enroll in cooperating out-of-state optometry and podiatry professional programs because those fields of study are not available at public institutions in Utah. Students enrolled through WICHE’s Professional Student Exchange Program receive a support fee from Utah to be able to pay reduced tuition.
Technical Education Scholarship Program
The Technical Education Scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing a technical education certificate in high-demand industries.
Talent Development Award Program
The Talent Development Award program is intended to recruit and train individuals to work in jobs that have a high demand for new employees and offer high wages in Utah.
Veterans Tuition Gap Program
The Veterans Tuition Gap Program helps veterans who have exhausted federal veteran education benefits to complete their first bachelor’s degree.
Public Safety Officer Career Advancement Grant (PSOCAG) Program
PSOCAG is a state-funded tuition grant program for certified peace officers currently employed by a Utah law enforcement agency who are seeking a post-secondary degree in a criminal justice related program.
Adult Learner Grant Program
The Adult Learner Grant Program provides financial assistance to adult learners enrolled in an eligible online program in a designated field of industry need.
Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program
The Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program is a state-funded scholarship program to provide funding to high school graduates who intend to work as a public safety officer when eligible.
International Internship Scholarship Pilot Program
The International Internship Scholarship Pilot Program was established in 2023 and provides funding for students at USHE degree-granting institutions who are participating in an international internship program.
NASA Space Grant Scholarship
The NASA Space Grant Scholarship provides scholarship funding to students enrolled in programs that support aerospace and who have an interest in working in aerospace in the future.
First Responder Mental Health Services Grant
The First Responder Mental Health Services Grant is a state-funded grant program to provide funding to full-time or retired first responders who are who are seeking a degree or certificate to become a mental health therapist.
Other Financial Aid Opportunities
Many state aid and institution aid programs require students to complete a FAFSA. Completing this application allows students to qualify for federal grants, work-study opportunities, and loans. (Learn more about types of aid). We strongly encourage all students to complete a FAFSA annually to explore all options in paying for college.