The Opportunity Scholarship is a simplified, statewide, achievement-based program that encourages students to complete advanced courses in core subject areas while in high school, aims to make higher education more accessible, and rewards students for preparing academically for college.
Opportunity Scholarship Information
This information is specific to the year the student graduated high school. This information applies to those who have been awarded or are seeking information regarding the Opportunity Scholarship. Click the applicable graduation year below to learn more.
This information is subject to change based on legislative or administrative action. Students should check back regularly to be aware of any updates.
All applicants will receive an application update via email no later than May 5, 2025. If you have not received an update by this date, contact our office immediately.
2026 graduates (and beyond) should check this website regularly for updates. Any updates regarding application dates, the application link, award amounts, and updates from the legislative session will be posted throughout the year.
2025 applicants may receive a maximum of $1,000 per semester for up to 4 semesters, subject to the student maintaining eligibility. Individual awards are applied toward tuition and general student fees after all other state aid has been awarded to the student. Students must be enrolled full-time to be considered for a semester payment. The Opportunity Scholarship may be used for up to four semesters but expires five years from the student’s high school graduation date.
If you have questions about your individual award amount or enrollment/deferment status, contact your college/university.
Students will receive an email notification in the spring term during their senior year (by May 5, 2025, for 2025 applicants). Awards may be used toward the cost of tuition and general student fees after other state aid is applied, so individual semester awards will vary.
The Opportunity Scholarship can be used at the following institutions:
Public Colleges and Universities
Private, Non-Profit Institutions
After students are notified that they have been awarded the scholarship, we will send a list of eligible Opportunity Scholarship students to each college and university along with block funding. Each college and university will determine which students are enrolled or deferred at their institution, evaluate individual student accounts to determine the semester award amount, and post the scholarship award.
To expedite the awarding process, we request that all recipients complete a short acceptance form indicating where they plan to enroll or defer for the fall 2025 semester. (Link included in your approval notice).
Obtain Approval: If you will not enroll continuously in fall/spring (or winter at BYU and Ensign College) semesters, you must obtain an approved deferment through your eligible college or university. Be sure to defer both your enrollment and your scholarship(s).
Deferment of the Opportunity Scholarship may be granted for students who plan to provide religious, humanitarian, or military service, face medical reasons that inhibit their ability to attend school or other reasons approved by an eligible institution. Scholarship recipients must coordinate any deferment with individual institutions before departure.
Students may also defer the use of their Opportunity Scholarship to attend a technical college that is part of the Utah System of Higher Education. Students should obtain an approved deferment from an eligible degree-granting college or university for the period they will be enrolled in a technical college program. Upon completion of the technical program, students can work with an eligible college or university to enroll and use their scholarship. Please contact the scholarship office if you have questions about this process.
To expedite the awarding process, we request that all recipients complete a short acceptance form indicating where they plan to enroll or defer for the fall 2025 semester (link included in your approval notice).
Enroll for fall courses: Enroll at an eligible college or university for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
To be eligible for a semester payment, you must enroll full-time (generally 12 credits or more) at an eligible college or university during the fall semester immediately after high school graduation. If you enroll at an eligible institution but are not enrolled full-time, you cannot receive a semester payment but may remain eligible for future payments. If you do not plan to enroll at all, see the Deferment Option section on this page.
College Validation: Your institution will cross-reference your enrollment against the eligible 2025 Opportunity Scholarship student list provided by the USHE team.
Award Disbursement: Once your eligibility is confirmed, your college will verify that you are enrolled full-time. They will consider your cost of tuition and general student fees after other state aid is applied to determine your semester award amount and disburse the scholarship funds directly to you.
Every effort is made to ensure your award is posted before tuition is due. However, if you must pay for tuition and fees out of pocket, your scholarship can act as a reimbursement. Contact your college’s or university’s scholarship or financial aid office for a better timeline of when the funds will be awarded.
6-8 weeks after you receive your award notice, feel free to contact the financial aid office at your college or university for assistance with your Opportunity Scholarship inquiries.
Here are situations in which it’s recommended to connect with the USHE state scholarship team:
2026 graduates (and beyond) should check this website regularly for updates. This information is subject to change based on legislative or administrative action. Students should check back regularly to be aware of any updates.
Any updates regarding application dates, the application link, award amounts, and updates from the legislative session will be posted throughout the year.
Students must apply for the Opportunity Scholarship during their senior year of high school by completing the following steps.
Students who will graduate from a private high school in Utah must submit a transcript with their online application.
These requirements were created after examining recent Utah high school graduates’ data to identify the top college success predictors.
Three advanced courses must be completed in grades 9-12 and must be completed before high school graduation. Please note: scholarship course requirements may not align with graduation requirements. Students should work with their high school counselor to choose the classes needed to meet graduation requirements.
Eligible courses are Concurrent Enrollment (CE), Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) level courses that align to a USBE core code starting with “06” (Language Arts), “07” (Mathematics), and “08” (Science).
For CE classes, we recommend using the Concurrent Enrollment Master List (core code listed) to find acceptable courses. Look for courses with the appropriate core code (06, 07, or 08). Courses that align with other subject areas will not be accepted. Students will need to work with their high school to find out which courses are available at their school.
This list is not comprehensive. Please contact our office if you have questions about specific courses.
Language Arts (Core Code: 06)
Mathematics (Core Code: 07)
Science (Core Code: 08)
*Lecture credit required (example: Biology 1010), lab credit recommended, but optional (example: Biology 1015). Science courses that satisfy the Opportunity Scholarship requirements may not grant foundational science credit required for high school graduation, which typically requires students to complete the lecture and lab credit. Students should work with their school counselor to choose the right classes needed for graduation.
Students may also earn credit through Early College courses completed in grades 9-12 that are included on the CE Master List as described above.
The Opportunity Scholarship is merit-based. To qualify, students must complete advanced coursework and meet a minimum GPA requirement in high school.
While completing a Free Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) is required as part of the application process, eligibility for or acceptance of federal aid is not considered when determining eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship.
We anticipate that the 2026/2027 FAFSA application will open by on October 1, 2025. We strongly advise students and parents to initiate the FAFSA completion process early, starting by creating their StudentAid.gov account this fall. It’s important to note that processing time to verify your information after creating the StudentAid.gov account may take 1-3 business days.
Remember, the FAFSA requires both student and parent(s) to create an account with StudentAid.gov.
We encourage students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible.
If you need assistance with completing your FAFSA, several resources are available:
School Counselors and Advisors: Speak with your school counselor or a college advisor for personalized help.
Each institution has its own deferment and leave of absence procedures with specific deadlines. Contact your institution as soon as possible to understand their required steps.
This information is for applicants who graduated high school in the class of 2025 and prior. Please read below for details on award information and how to maintain eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship. If you have questions, please contact the scholarship office directly.
Students in the high school graduating classes of 2022 to 2025 may receive a maximum of $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters, subject to the student maintaining eligibility. Individual awards are applied toward tuition and general student fees after all other state aid has been awarded to the student. To qualify for a semester payment, students must be enrolled full-time, typically defined as at least 12 credit hours. The Opportunity Scholarship may be deferred but expires five years from the student’s high school graduation date.
If you have questions about your award amount or enrollment/deferment status, contact your college/university.
All Opportunity Scholarship recipients must either
Each institution has its own deferment and leave of absence procedures with specific deadlines. Contact your institution as soon as possible to understand their required steps.
The Opportunity Scholarship can be used at the following institutions:
Public Colleges and Universities
Private, Non-Profit Institutions
Students must maintain enrollment at an eligible college/university during the Fall and Spring semesters (Fall and Winter for those attending BYU and Ensign College). The college you attend will track your enrollment and GPA information each semester before posting a semester award. Students will not be required to submit enrollment documentation to the Opportunity Scholarship to maintain their eligibility.
To receive an award disbursement, students must do the following:
If you do not meet a semester GPA requirement, you will be placed on probationary status; however, if you fail to meet the semester GPA a second time, you will forfeit any remaining scholarship payments. Students are still able to receive the Opportunity Scholarship while on probation. Probation is not allowed for students who fail to meet the credit requirement. Students not meeting the eligibility requirements will forfeit their Opportunity Scholarship and may have to return the scholarship funds.
Students who were approved for a deferment immediately after high school must complete the following to reinstate their scholarship.
Students who enrolled at an eligible institution immediately after high school graduation, but do not continuously enroll in Fall and Spring (Winter for BYU and Ensign College) semesters must obtain an approved leave of absence from their college or university.
Each college and university set deadlines and guidelines for requesting a deferment or leave of absence. You will need to work with the college or university to ensure you are meeting their requirements. Students who do not meet enrollment requirements and do not receive an approved deferment/leave of absence from their college or university will forfeit their eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship.
If you file for a leave of absence, you are strongly encouraged to authorize a third party to be able to receive information about your student account with your college/university. You can also authorize a third party to be able to receive information from our office by submitting a Student Information Release Form. You are responsible for managing your scholarship even while on a deferment or leave of absence.
Students who were approved for a leave of absence need to complete the following to reinstate their scholarship.
If you transfer institutions, you need to notify the financial aid offices at your current and new college or university before the start of the semester.
Transfer Steps: For a successful transfer, follow these steps before the new semester begins:
After you receive your award notice, feel free to contact the financial aid office at your college or university for assistance with your Opportunity Scholarship inquiries. Here are situations in which it’s recommended to connect with the state scholarship team:
Course Acceptance: If you’re unsure whether a specific class you’ve taken or plan to take is accepted as part of the scholarship’s requirements.
Contact the State Scholarship office for more information:
Contact your institution:
Utah System of Higher Education
The Gateway
60 South 400 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
General: 1-801-646-4784
Scholarships: 1-801-646-4812
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