It can be difficult to sort through all the advice out there about how best to prepare for college. Luckily for Utah students, parents and educators, there is a newly redesigned website from the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) containing all of this information in an easy-to-navigate, fresh format: StepUpUtah.com.
This summer, USHE launched the new StepUpUtah.com, which contains the best advice on how to prepare for college—both academically and financially—as well as information about Utah’s public colleges and universities and tips on how to succeed while in college.
StepUpUtah.com is part of USHE’s Step Up to Higher Education social awareness campaign, designed to encourage all Utah students to dream big about their futures, and then act on those dreams by preparing for and completing college. Created in 2011, the Step Up to Higher Education campaign was made possible by a College Access Challenge Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Some highlights of the website include:
The Step Up to Higher Education campaign also encompasses many of the programs and initiatives administered by USHE. Some of these highlighted on StepUpUtah.com include:
Regents’ Scholarship
The Regents’ Scholarship encourages Utah high school students to prepare for college academically and financially by taking a core course of study and saving for college. The scholarship award varies depending on student qualifications and legislative funding, and can be used at any public college or university within USHE, as well as at BYU- Provo, LDS Business College, and Westminster College.
Utah Scholars Initiative
Utah scholars is a high-impact academic program intended to motivate students to complete a defined curriculum while in high school and to help them understand the academic preparation needed to succeed in college and in the workforce. Students hear about Utah Scholars through 8th grade presentations given by volunteers from local business, community and education leaders.
Utah College Application Week (UCAW)
The goal of UCAW is to provide every high school senior at partner schools the opportunity to complete at least one viable college application during the school day. A particular focus is placed on students who would be first generation students, low-income students, or students who may not have otherwise considered applying. During 2014, nearly 11,000 students from 49 high schools participated.
15 to Finish
In order to save money and graduate on time, college students should take at least 15 credits per semester, instead of 12. The 15 to Finish campaign helps raise awareness to Utah students of this fact.
Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA) Outreach
UHEAA is a state government agency and part of the USHE. It operates under the authority delegated by the Utah State Board of Regents and is governed by a Board of Directors and Utah’s Commissioner of Higher Education. Although UHEAA’s primary function is to administer and service federal student loans, its outreach department provides Utah students and their families with access to information, materials, and resources in planning for and financing higher education (financial aid). These financial aid events will operate under a joint StepUp/UHEAA platform and will continue as they have previously.
