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Top Idaho Scholarships
The Square Dance is the official state dance of Idaho, and these scholarships are sure to get you dancing! Students in Idaho have access to a variety of scholarships for different areas of study. These opportunities are a great resource to help fund your education in the Gem State. Continue reading to learn the best ways to pay for your education!
Jump ahead to:
- Idaho student loan debt snapshot
- Top Idaho scholarships
- Merit scholarships at Idaho colleges and universities
- Additional Idaho resources
- Frequently asked questions
Idaho college loan debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, Idaho residents owe $7.2 billion in federal student loan debt, with 218,100 student borrowers owe $33,012 each on average (those numbers do not include private loans). Half of these loan borrowers are under the age of 35. When looking for ways to fund your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow you to take fewer loans. Be sure to apply for as many as you’re eligible. Keep on reading to learn more about top Arkansas scholarships, as well as merit scholarships from colleges in Idaho!
Top Idaho scholarships
Idaho Community Foundation scholarships
- Eligibility: There are several scholarships for students in eastern, northern, and southwest Idaho. Check the website for each scholarship’s eligibility requirements
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies depending on scholarship between March, April, and May annually
Idaho Nursing and Health Professionals Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Students into an Idaho nursing or health professionals program. Demonstrate financial need. Preference given to students in the top third in academic ranking for their class
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 15 annually
Mike Crapo Math and Science Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: Idaho residents who are majoring in math or science enrolling as a first-year student at a school in Idaho. Must have a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 15 annually
Idaho Latino Scholarship Foundation
- Eligibility: Idaho residents of Hispanic/Latino descent. Must attend an Idaho institution. Must have a 2.5+ GPA. Demonstrate leadership in school, community and/or other service organizations that promote, enhance, or strengthen diversity
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 22
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be an Idaho resident and have graduated from an Idaho high school. Must have a 2.7+ GPA. Must complete the FAFSA. Must demonstrate financial need. Must attend one of the following institutions: Boise State University, Brigham Young University – Idaho, College of Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho, College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho State University, Lewis-Clark State College, North Idaho College, Northwest Nazarene University, University of Idaho, Western Governors University
- Amount: $3,500
- Deadline: March 1
Idaho Association of Highway Districts scholarship fund
- Eligibility: The goal of the scholarship is to help Idaho students from predominantly underserved rural areas fund a college education. Must be a child or grandchild of highway district employee or commissioner (highway district must be in good standing with and a member of the IAHD). Must have a 2.5+ GPA. Must enroll at an Idaho college, university, or vocational/technical school
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 31
Idaho Hispanic Business Association Richard G. Cortez Scholarship
- Eligibility: Idaho residents of Hispanic descent. Must enroll in at least 12 credit hours. Must have a 2.5+ GPA. Must demonstrate academic and extracurricular achievement
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April 1 annually
Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship for CTE
- Eligibility: Idaho residents who graduated or will graduate from an Idaho high school. Must have a 2.8+ GPA. Demonstrate volunteer work, community leadership, and public service
- Amount: $3,000 per year for up to 3 years
- Deadline: Mid-April
Idaho Associated General Contractors Education Foundation scholarship
- Eligibility: Idaho residents who are in their sophomore, junior, or senior year and studying a construction-related major. Must have a 2.8+ GPA
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: First week of May each year
Idaho Society of Certified Public Accountants scholarship
- Eligibility: Idaho residents who are majoring in accounting. Must be attending an Idaho college or university as a junior or senior year undergraduate, or a graduate student. Must have at least 2 semesters of schooling remaining. Must have a 2.75+ GPA
- Amount: $2,000 – $2,500
- Deadline: Late May annually
American Indian College Fund Full Circle & Tribal College scholarships
- Eligibility: Any Native American U.S. citizen that is a member or descendant of a state or federally recognized tribe. Must have a 2.0+ GPA. Must enroll full-time
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: May 31 annually
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship for Adult Learners
- Eligibility: Idaho residents who are pursuing a certificate, associate’s degree, or first bachelor’s degree. Must be returning to college at least part-time. Must not have completed more than 2 classes in the last 24 months. Must have a 2.5+ GPA. Must attend an eligible institution (see website). Must complete the FAFSA
- Amount: $3,500
- Deadline: Depends on semester: December 1 for spring, April 15 for summer, and July 1 for fall
Merit scholarships at Idaho colleges and universities
Be sure to check out your school’s website for institution-specific scholarships such as University of Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and Idaho State University.
University of Idaho
- Eligibility: Students who are admitted and meet the following criteria are guaranteed funding that they qualify for. Must be an Idaho resident and first-year student entering University of Idaho.
- Amount: $1,000 – $6,500 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to University of Idaho
Lewis-Clark State College
- Eligibility: Must be an Idaho resident. Must be an incoming first-year to LC State. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. Must have a 20+ ACT score or 1020 SAT score
- Amount: $1,000 – $2,500 per year
- Deadline: March 1
Idaho State University
- Eligibility: Must be an Idaho resident and graduate from an Idaho high school. Must be entering ISU as a first-year student. Must have a 3.0+ GPA. For Presidential tier, must have a 32+ ACT score or 1420+ SAT
- Amount: $1,000 – $7,872 per year
- Deadline: Be admitted to ISU by February 15 for fall semester and November 1 for spring
College of Idaho
- Eligibility: Must be a first-year student entering College of Idaho. Must have a 3.23+ GPA
- Amount: $7,500 – $20,000 per year
- Deadline: Considered upon admission to College of Idaho
Boise State University
- Eligibility: Must be an Idaho resident and incoming student to Boise State University. Must have a 3.2+ GPA
- Amount: $2,000 – $2,500 per year
- Deadline: February 15 for fall semester and October 1 for spring
Additional Idaho resources
Scholarship Idaho
Scholarship Idaho is a common application for 8 state-sponsored Idaho scholarships.
Next Steps Idaho scholarships listing
Next Steps Idaho provides a database of Idaho scholarships, many of which are specific to certain cities and areas of study.
Idaho School Board Association Scholarships
Scholarships for family of Idaho School Board members.
FAFSA guide
On October 1st of every year, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens nationwide. Arkansas students should complete the FAFSA to be eligible for federal student aid as well as some scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
Does Idaho offer free college?
Idaho does not have state-sponsored scholarship programs that cover full tuition. However, the Idaho State Board of Education offers the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship of $3,500 to students who qualify. Apply for a variety of scholarships at your school and from the community and complete your FAFSA to get as much financial aid as you can!