Idaho State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Idaho state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Flagship (competitive) and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~96%
- Middle 50% GPA: Not reported
- Middle 50% SAT: 910 – 1140
- Middle 50% ACT: 18 – 25
Source: Idaho State University Admissions / BigFuture (2024–25). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Idaho State at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
Idaho State University offers transparent, GPA-based merit awards and major affordability boosts through WUE, NRTW, and Idaho’s LAUNCH program. Combined, they make ISU one of the West’s most accessible regional research universities—especially for Idaho and neighboring-state families.
Use this guide to see how automatic scholarships, WUE discounts, and Idaho’s state aid can come together to make ISU an affordable option for both in-state and out-of-state students.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — ISU is test-optional for admission through Summer 2026; GPA is the main factor for automatic merit, and top tiers may require ACT/SAT by the stated deadline.
What is the middle 50% GPA/SAT/ACT? GPA: Not reported; SAT: 910–1140; ACT: 18–25.
What’s the average net price? Around $17,324 after grants and scholarships (IPEDS 2024).
Does this school use reciprocity or nonresident waivers? Yes — ISU participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and offers Non-Resident Tuition Waivers (NRTW), which significantly reduce tuition for eligible nonresidents. Idaho programs like LAUNCH can provide additional aid.
Undergraduate Admissions (test-optional) — https://www.isu.edu/admissions/freshman/
University tuition & costs (2025–26 COA; WUE/NRTW info) — https://www.isu.edu/tuition/
Scholarships overview / BOSS — https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/
WUE program page — https://www.isu.edu/wue/
Nonresident Tuition Waivers (NRTW) — https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/non-resident-tuition-waivers-/
Honors Program (priority timing) — https://www.isu.edu/honors/future-students/new-honors-student-scholarships/
College Scorecard (Average Net Price) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?142276-Idaho-State-University=
BigFuture Admissions (acceptance rate & test ranges) — https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/idaho-state-university/admissions
Idaho LAUNCH (state program) — https://www.isu.edu/launch/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Idaho State University (2025–2026)
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees Full-time (12+ credits), two semesters |
$8,914 | $28,240 |
| Housing & Meals | $12,476 | $12,476 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $21,390 | $40,716 |
Notes: Tuition & fees reflect the official 2025–2026 full-time (12+ credits) rate for two semesters, as listed by ISU. Housing & meals represent a standard double-room and meal plan allowance. Other expenses such as books, transportation, personal/miscellaneous costs, and loan fees are part of ISU’s published cost-of-attendance budget but are not paid directly to the university, so they are excluded from the table above. Actual amounts vary depending on lifestyle, housing choice, and personal spending.
What families actually paid on average after grants and scholarships were applied — no loans included.
Idaho State participates in WUE, a regional tuition program for students from 15 Western states and territories.
- Who qualifies? Legal residents of participating WUE states; most majors are eligible though some competitive programs may have limits.
- How much? WUE tuition equals roughly 150% of the in-state rate.
- Apply or automatic? Students are automatically considered during admission; renewal requires good academic standing and full-time enrollment.
COA Quick FAQ
Why do I see different totals on ISU pages?
The Financial Aid COA includes personal and transportation allowances, while ISU’s “Costs at ISU” display shows direct university charges only.
What credit load is assumed?
Full-time enrollment of 12 or more credits per term for two semesters.
Do majors add extra costs?
Yes — some programs (like Nursing or Engineering) may include course or lab fees beyond the standard COA.
University COA page — https://www.isu.edu/financialaid/how-financial-aid-works/cost-of-attendance-coa/
Tuition & Fees / WUE table — https://www.isu.edu/tuition/
College Scorecard (Average Net Price) — https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?142276-Idaho-State-University=
Catalog (aid & waiver details) — https://coursecat.isu.edu/aboutisu/financialaidandscholarships/
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Idaho State University (ISU) awards several admission-based scholarships and nonresident tuition waivers to new first-time students who meet published criteria by the stated deadlines. Your application for admission doubles as your scholarship application (no separate form for these).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman Tier 1 (Resident) | $4,000+/year | Unweighted GPA 3.9–4.0 | No (admission) | Yes — 12+ credits/term; ≥3.0 ISU GPA | Top high school seniors (test may help for top amount, check year’s policy) | July 1 (fall), Nov 1 (spring) |
| Freshman Tier 2 (Resident) | $2,500–$3,500/year | Unweighted GPA 3.6–3.89 | No | Yes — 12+ credits/term; ≥3.0 ISU GPA | Strong B+/A- students | July 1 (fall), Nov 1 (spring) |
| Freshman Tier 3 (Resident) | $1,000–$2,000/year | Unweighted GPA 3.3–3.59 | No | Yes — 12+ credits/term; ≥3.0 ISU GPA | Solid B+ students | July 1 (fall), Nov 1 (spring) |
| Freshman Tier 4 (Resident) | $1,000/year | Unweighted GPA 3.0–3.29 | No | Yes — 12+ credits/term; ≥3.0 ISU GPA | Meets ISU’s minimum merit standard | July 1 (fall), Nov 1 (spring) |
| Presidential Scholarship (Resident) | Significant multi-year award (limited/competitive) | Near-4.0 GPA and high ACT/SAT by deadline; entering from Idaho high school; selection-based | No (admission) | Yes — 12+ credits/term; ≥3.3 ISU GPA; up to 8 semesters | Top Idaho applicants (application and all scores by deadline) | July 1 (fall), Nov 1 (spring) |
| Out-of-State Scholar Non-Resident Tuition Waiver (NRTW) | Waives ≈$19,300/year in nonresident tuition | New nonresidents; GPA 3.5+ prioritized; some majors/regions excluded if oversubscribed; cannot be combined with WUE | No (admission) | Yes — 12+ credits/term; GPA by waiver, up to 4 years | Strong nonresident applicants; limited pool—awarded competitively and by region/major as needed | July 1 (fall), Nov 1 (spring) |
Notes: All amounts are estimates based on most recently published ISU ranges. Renewals require full-time status and continued academic progress (see award letter).
ISU does not allow stacking of WUE and NRTW awards—applicants get the most favorable one. For all top awards, submit high school transcript and ACT/SAT (if required) by deadline.
Automatic Merit — Quick FAQ
Do I need a separate application? No. Admission doubles as your application for these scholarships as long as criteria are met.
Does ISU superscore? No; ACT/SAT are not superscored (best single date only).
Are test scores required? Not for general admission (through summer 2026) but required for the Presidential Scholarship and some other competitive awards.
Deadlines? July 1 for fall admits, Nov 1 for spring (all GPA/scores and documents must be filed by this date).
Can awards be lost? Yes, if the renewal GPA or enrollment drops below minimum for the specific award.
ISU Resident Freshman Scholarships: https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/freshman-residents/
ISU Nonresident Waiver: https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/freshman-nonresidents/
ISU Scholarship Portal/Policies: https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/
ISU Presidential Scholarship: https://isu.academicworks.com/opportunities/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Some Idaho State University scholarships are not automatic — they require an extra application, essay, or portfolio, and are limited in number. These competitive awards often provide larger amounts or added prestige, but they are more selective than the automatic tiers.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No university-level competitive scholarships are currently published outside of Honors College or departmental programs. | |||||
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Why is this section blank? ISU does not publish central competitive merit scholarships for freshmen beyond the automatic tiers, WUE, or Honors/departmental awards. Those will appear in later sections of this guide.
How do I maximize aid? Apply for admission as early as possible to secure automatic scholarships, then consult Honors College and your academic department for additional selective opportunities.
Are there outside options? Yes. Many ISU students supplement with private donor scholarships and national or community-based funds. Use the ISU BOSS portal (Bengal Online Scholarship System) for departmental and interest-based awards.
ISU Scholarships Main Page: https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/
ISU BOSS and competitive opportunities: https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/boss/
General freshmen/automatic policy: https://www.isu.edu/scholarships/freshman-residents/
🎖️ Honors College (University Honors Program)
If your student learns best in small, discussion-driven classes and loves stretching beyond the basics, Idaho State’s University Honors Program (UHP) is a smart fit. Seats are limited and selection is competitive, but the payoff is real: priority registration, faculty mentorship, and a clear path to an Honors distinction or full Honors degree—all while staying on track to graduate.
• Strong academic rigor and a thoughtful personal statement; 1 recommendation letter required.
• Applies by the January 15 priority date; seats often fill by March. Honors Scholarship Package consideration requires action by July 1 (if seats remain).
- Priority registration and access to Honors seminars and sections.
- Faculty mentorship and individualized advising; pathway to an Honors thesis/project for the Honors Degree.
- Two graduation pathways: Honors Distinction (≈19 Honors credits) or the full Honors Degree (≈32 Honors credits + thesis/project).
- Good-standing requirement: maintain ≥ 3.2 cumulative GPA (one-semester probation if you dip below; privileges generally continue during probation).
Honors-Specific Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors Scholarship Package | Not publicly posted (competitive; donor funds may bundle awards) | Admitted to UHP; priority by Jan 15, seats fill by March, final review as late as July 1 if spots remain | Yes — UHP app (separate from admission) | Varies by award; maintain UHP good standing (≥3.2 GPA), full-time | High GPA/test, rigor, leadership/service, and strong statement | Jan 15 (priority); July 1 (late/space pending) |
| Bennion Scholar / ISU Leadership Scholarship | $1,000 one-time ($500/semester in first year) | Accepted to UHP; separate simple form usually required | Yes — UHP/BOSS after UHP acceptance | No (one-year award) | First-time admitted UHP students | March 1 (priority) |
| Honors Housing Scholarship | $4,000 total ($1,000/year for up to 4 years) | New UHP students living in ISU housing; separate housing app | Yes — UHP and Housing required | Yes — if renewed each year | Accepted UHP members who live on campus | March 1 (recommended); rolling until filled |
| Honors Opportunity Scholarship | Up to $250/year for research, books, special projects | Accepted UHP students proposing program-related projects | Yes — BOSS/UHP application | No (yearly competitive) | UHP students with approved proposals | Feb 28 |
Sources: ISU Honors admissions, scholarships, BOSS system.
Honors FAQ (Straight Answers)
Is admission to Honors automatic? No. You must submit a separate UHP application after applying to ISU. The process is holistic, seats limited, and awards competitive.
Does ISU superscore ACT/SAT for Honors? No. ISU does not superscore; only a single test date is considered (if submitted).
Will Honors add time to the degree? Honors courses are designed to overlay with majors. The Honors Degree path includes a required thesis/project & credits—plan accordingly with advisors.
What deadlines matter? Apply by Jan 15 for priority; July 1 as a late/waitlist option. Other awards and housing have March 1 (priority) and Feb 28 (research/special project) cutoffs.
ISU UHP First-Time, First-Year Criteria: https://www.isu.edu/honors/apply/ftfy-students/
ISU Honors Scholarships: https://www.isu.edu/honors/future-students/new-honors-student-scholarships/
ISU Honors Graduation & Good-standing: https://www.isu.edu/honors/current-students/graduating-with-honors/
Honors Student Responsibilities: https://www.isu.edu/honors/current-students/honors-student-responsibilities/
BOSS Opportunity Listings: https://isu.academicworks.com/
ISU Honors Opportunity Scholarship: https://isu.academicworks.com/opportunities/
ISU Honors Current Student Scholarships: https://www.isu.edu/honors/current-students/honors-scholarship-opportunities/
⭐ College Specialties
Idaho State University (ISU) is known across Idaho and the region for its strong hands-on programs, especially in health professions and geological sciences. As a **Carnegie-classified Doctoral Research High & Teaching institution**, ISU balances research, teaching, and workforce impact.
Third best general geology program in Idaho; ranked #11 in the Northwest region.
- Allied Health & Medical Assisting. ISU’s highest ranked major for statewide quality, recognized in national “badge” rankings.
- Health Professions. ISU is Idaho’s designated lead institution in health professions education.
- Pharmacy. Strong program with research opportunities, especially in rural health and pre-clinical sciences.
- Teaching & STEM Education. ISU supports teacher preparation, especially in rural regions, integrating field placements and hands-on lab work.
- Nuclear Science & Energy. ISU is involved in research and training in nuclear science — a niche strength in Idaho and neighboring states.