Utah Opportunity Scholarship
Offered by Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)
- Award
- $3,200
- Deadline
- Renewable
- Yes
About this scholarship
The Utah Opportunity Scholarship is a merit-based, statewide award from the Utah System of Higher Education for Utah high school seniors who complete rigorous coursework. <cite index="19-1">It is a simplified, statewide, achievement-based program that encourages students to complete advanced courses in core subject areas while in high school and rewards students for preparing academically for college.</cite> To qualify, you generally need to graduate from a Utah high school with a 3.3 GPA and have completed at least one AP, IB, or Concurrent Enrollment course each in math, science, and language arts, plus file the FAFSA. <cite index="11-11">Students in the graduating class of 2026 may receive a maximum of $800 per semester for up to four semesters ($3,200 total), subject to maintaining eligibility, with awards applied toward tuition and general fees after other state aid is used</cite> (award amounts for later classes are set annually and not yet published). It's applied for online during senior year, and to keep renewing it you'll need to stay enrolled full-time each semester and meet ongoing academic progress requirements, with the scholarship usable at several Utah public and select private nonprofit colleges.
Who can apply
- Year in school
- hs senior
- Residency
- UT
- Minimum GPA
- 3.3 unweighted
- Enrollment
- full time
Conditions worth reading twice
Class of 2027 cycle: opens Jan 4, 2027, priority deadline Jan 29, 2027, final deadline Mar 18, 2027 (Class of 2026 application ran Jan 5 - Mar 20, 2026 and is closed). Requires graduating from a Utah high school with 3.3 cumulative GPA and completing 1 AP/IB/Concurrent Enrollment course each in Math, Science, and Language Arts, plus FAFSA. Full-time enrollment (generally 12+ credits) required for each semester payment. Usable at eight Utah public institutions and four private non-profits (incl. BYU Provo, Ensign College, WGU, Westminster). Award covers tuition/fees only after all other state aid is awarded.
Keeping it after year one
Must enroll full-time (generally at least 12 credits) each semester, meet satisfactory academic progress (typically a minimum 3.0 semester GPA), and maintain consecutive fall/spring enrollment (deferments possible); scholarship expires 5 years after high school graduation
How to apply
Applications are handled by the provider, not by ScholarDuck. Check the deadline on their page before you start — deadlines move, and ours is only as fresh as our last check.
Common questions
When is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship deadline?
March 18, 2027. That is the date ScholarDuck recorded from Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)'s own page. Providers move deadlines without notice, so confirm it on Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)'s page before you plan around it.
How much is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship worth?
Up to $3,200. Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) describes it as: Up to $800/semester for up to 4 semesters ($3,200 total for the Class of 2026; Class of 2027 award amounts not yet published); covers tuition/general fees after other state aid is applied, so per-semester amount varies. This is the figure listed on the page ScholarDuck checked, not an estimate of what any one applicant receives.
Who is eligible for the Utah Opportunity Scholarship?
Year in school: hs senior. Residency: UT. Minimum GPA: 3.3 unweighted. Enrollment: full time. Those are the eligibility facts ScholarDuck recorded from Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)'s page — a summary of what they publish, not their complete rules. Read their own page before you apply.
Is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship renewable?
Yes. Must enroll full-time (generally at least 12 credits) each semester, meet satisfactory academic progress (typically a minimum 3.0 semester GPA), and maintain consecutive fall/spring enrollment (deferments possible); scholarship expires 5 years after high school graduation. Renewal conditions are set by Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) and can change — check their page for the current terms.
How do I apply for the Utah Opportunity Scholarship?
Through Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). ScholarDuck does not accept or forward applications. This page links to the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) page ScholarDuck checked, which is where their instructions live; open it, confirm the deadline and requirements there, and apply directly with them.
Writing the essay is the slow part
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