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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.
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Opportunity Scholarship Information
There is information that is specific to the year students 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.
Scholarship application opens: January 2, 2024
Priority deadline: January 19, 2024
Final deadline: March 20, 2024
The application link will be available on this website.
*The priority deadline is in place to act as a contingency. If we do not receive enough funding to award all students during the legislative session, those who have met the priority deadline may be given priority. We strongly encourage all students to meet the priority deadline.
2025 graduates (and beyond) should check this website regularly for updates. Any updates regarding applications 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. Applicants must submit an online scholarship application and FAFSA to be considered for the scholarship. The FAFSA and online scholarship application must be completed by the final deadline. Students who will graduate from a private high school in Utah will be required to submit a transcript with their online application. Please read the information below to learn more about the scholarship requirements.
*The 2024 Opportunity Scholarship application link will be posted on the website before January 2, 2024.
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.
The release date for the 2024/2025 FAFSA is not yet confirmed, though it is anticipated to be released in December 2023. However, we strongly advise students and parents to initiate the process early by creating their FSA ID this fall. It’s important to note that processing time to create the FSA ID may take 1-5 business days. Remember, the FAFSA cannot be filled out without both the student’s and parents’ information being entered which requires both to create an FSA ID.
There are resources available to students who need help completing their FAFSA. Check with your high school for FAFSA completion events during the spring semester, visit www.fafsa.gov to complete the FAFSA and find FAQs, or talk with your school counselor or UCAC advisor.
These requirements were created after examining data from recent Utah high school graduates to identify the top predictors of college success.
The 3 advanced courses must be completed in grades 9-12 and must be completed prior to high school graduation.
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. 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
Mathematics
Science
*Lecture credit required (example: Biology 1010), lab credit recommended, but optional (example: Biology 1015)
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.
Students will receive an email notification in the spring term during their senior year (by May 2, 2024 for 2024 applicants). A maximum award amount will be determined based on available funding and the number of qualified applicants. Awards may be used toward the cost of tuition and fees after other state aid is applied, so individual semester awards will vary.
The Opportunity Scholarship can be used at the following institutions:
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.
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 in a minimum of 12 credits 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 in 12 credits, you may not 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 below.
College Validation: Your institution will cross-reference your enrollment against the eligible Opportunity Scholarship student list provided by us.
Disbursement: Once your eligibility is confirmed, your college will verify that you are enrolled full-time, consider your cost of tuition and 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 have to 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).
Obtain Approval: To defer the Opportunity Scholarship, 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 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 the eligible college or university to enroll and use their scholarship. Please contact the scholarship office if you have questions about this process.
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:
You can contact the State Scholarship office for more information:
This information is for applicants who graduated high school in the class of 2023 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.
The 2023 high school graduate application closed on February 1st, 2023. Applicants should receive an update regarding their application by May 2, 2023.
Students that are part of the high school graduating classes of 2022 and 2023 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 fees after all other state aid has been awarded to the student. Students must be enrolled in at least 12 credits 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 award amount or enrollment/deferment status, contact your college/university.
All Opportunity Scholarship recipients must either (1) be currently enrolled at an eligible institution for consecutive fall and spring/winter semesters, or (2) obtain an approved deferment/leave of absence from the institution that they are attending.
Deferments or leaves of absence are typically approved for students serving in the military, those experiencing a major medical issue, or participating in a humanitarian/religious service. Each institution has its own deferment/leave processes and deadlines. Reach out to your eligible institution as soon as possible to determine what steps they require.
The Opportunity Scholarship can be used at the following institutions:
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 turn in enrollment documentation to the Opportunity Scholarship to maintain their eligibility.
In order to receive an award disbursement student 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 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 who do not meet 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 need to 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 its own 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 to receive 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.
To reinstate your Opportunity scholarship after a Leave of Absence, we will need to complete the following steps:
If you transfer institutions, you need to notify the financial aid offices at both 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:
Once your eligibility is confirmed by your new college or university, they will proceed to award you the scholarship funds.
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:
Contact the State Scholarship office for more information:
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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