Utah State Scholarships & Grants: A Straightforward Guide for Parents

Q: Does the Opportunity Scholarship require test scores?

No. ACT/SAT scores are not required, though they can still help with admission or other merit awards.

Q: Do we need to submit the FAFSA every year?

Yes. You must complete the FAFSA each academic year. Most Utah state aid, especially the Promise Grant, depends on it.

Q: What’s the income cutoff for the Utah Promise Grant?

There is no single cutoff. Awards consider family size, costs, and other factors, so always file the FAFSA to see eligibility.

Q: Can my kid get both the Opportunity Scholarship and the Promise Grant?

Yes. One is merit-based and the other is need-based, so they can stack.

Q: Does state aid cover housing or just tuition?

Most Utah programs focus on tuition and fees. Housing and meals usually require other aid such as Pell Grants, campus scholarships, or work-study.

Q: What colleges in Utah accept these scholarships?

All public institutions in Utah accept state aid (e.g., University of Utah, Utah State, SUU, UVU, Weber, SLCC, Snow, Utah Tech).

Q: What happens if my kid drops a class or their GPA slips?

Most programs require full-time status and a minimum GPA. Falling below may jeopardize eligibility, but many allow appeals for extenuating circumstances—contact financial aid before making changes.

← Back to the State Aid & Grants hub • College Scholarship Hub

If you’re like most parents, the idea of paying for college in Utah feels out of reach without piling on debt. But Utah does offer help. From automatic merit scholarships to grants based on your income, there’s real money on the table — you just have to know where to look and what steps to take before deadlines hit.

Don’t skip this page. Many families miss out on thousands in Utah state aid just because they didn’t know it existed — or assumed they wouldn’t qualify. This guide breaks it down in plain English.

🏅 Grants & Scholarships | 📋 Eligibility Requirements | 📝 How to Apply | 📆 Timeline | ❓ FAQ

🏅 Utah Grants & Scholarships

Program	Type	Key Eligibility
Opportunity Scholarship Who this helps: Strong GPA + advanced course track	Merit + Course Rigor	3.3+ GPA, 4 years math, 3 years science, 2 years world language
Utah Promise Grant Who this helps: Families with low to moderate income	Need-Based	FAFSA required; available at all public colleges in Utah
Prime Program Grant Who this helps: Students focused on trades or CTE pathways	CTE / Career Readiness	5+ concurrent enrollment classes and 6+ CTE classes or apprenticeship
T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive Who this helps: Future teachers staying in Utah	Education Majors	Planning to teach in Utah; up to 4 years of support
Promise Partner Award Who this helps: Students pursuing in-demand fields	Need-Based + Industry Support	FAFSA required; supports tuition & fees after other aid
USHE Employee Scholarship Who this helps: Full-time staff at Utah colleges	Employee Benefit	Full-time USHE employees attending a different public college
Veterans Tuition Gap Program Who this helps: Utah veterans finishing a degree after other aid is used	Veteran Support	Covers final tuition after GI Bill and other aid are applied

Hidden gem: The Utah Promise Grant is one of the most overlooked awards — it can cover full tuition and fees if you qualify based on need.

📋 Eligibility Requirements

🏠 Must be a Utah resident
🎓 Graduate from an accredited Utah high school
📄 Submit the FAFSA (required for all need-based aid)
✅ Meet program-specific GPA, course, or career goals
📆 Apply by state and program deadlines (usually Feb–May)

Going Out-of-State?
Families in Utah may qualify for reduced tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). This program lets students attend public colleges in other Western states at a discounted rate.

📝 How to Apply

Submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov (opens October 1)
Create a student account at the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) portal
Apply separately for merit-based programs like the Opportunity Scholarship and T.H. Bell by early February or March
For need-based aid like the Promise Grant, listing a Utah college on your FAFSA is usually enough — but apply early to beat the funding cutoff
Upload transcripts, monitor email for verification steps, and follow up with your school counselor

Heads up: The FAFSA isn’t the finish line — it’s just the starting gun. Some of Utah’s biggest scholarships (like the Opportunity or T.H. Bell) require separate applications and have early deadlines, usually in February or March. Don’t wait and assume FAFSA alone is enough.

📆 Timeline

Junior Year: Choose college-prep and CTE courses for eligibility
Fall of Senior Year: Start your USHE portal account and check deadlines
October 1: FAFSA opens — submit early for best chance at need-based aid
February 1 (Typical): Priority deadline for Opportunity Scholarship
March–May: Final deadlines for T.H. Bell, transcript uploads, and confirmation steps

☐ FAFSA submitted
☐ USHE account created
☐ Opportunity Scholarship application started
☐ Transcripts uploaded
☐ School-specific deadlines verified

❓ FAQ

Does the Opportunity Scholarship require test scores?

No. ACT/SAT scores are no longer required, though they might still help with college admission or other merit scholarships.

What if we didn’t take 4 years of math?

The Opportunity Scholarship has strict course requirements. If your kid skipped a year of math or world language, they may not qualify — but there are still other options like the Promise Grant or CTE-based programs.

Can adult students get state aid?

Yes. Programs like the Utah Promise Grant are open to adult learners and returning students — not just high school seniors. If you’re sending a child back to school or going yourself, it’s worth applying.

Are undocumented students eligible?

Some programs require citizenship or eligible non-citizen status. However, Utah has been working toward more inclusive options — contact the financial aid office at your college for the most current information.

Do we need to submit the FAFSA every year?

Yes. The FAFSA has to be completed every year your kid is in college — even if nothing in your situation has changed. Most Utah state aid (especially the Promise Grant) depends on it.

What’s the income cutoff for the Utah Promise Grant?

There’s no exact number, but most recipients have a family income under $60,000 or an EFC under $10,000. It depends on how many people are in your household and what the college costs — so it’s always worth applying.

Can my kid get both the Opportunity Scholarship and the Promise Grant?

Yes! One is based on academics, the other on financial need — so they can stack. That combo could cover a big chunk of tuition if your kid qualifies for both.

Does state aid cover housing or just tuition?

Most Utah aid covers tuition and fees only. Housing, meals, and books usually require other aid like Pell Grants, school-based scholarships, or work-study.

What colleges in Utah accept these scholarships?

All public colleges and universities in Utah accept state aid — including University of Utah, Utah State, SUU, UVU, Weber, SLCC, Snow, and Utah Tech. Private colleges may not participate.

What happens if my kid drops a class or their GPA slips?

Most scholarships require full-time status and a minimum GPA. If your kid drops below those, they might lose eligibility — but many programs allow appeals if something serious happens (illness, family emergency, etc.). Always reach out to the financial aid office before giving up.

🏫 Utah Public Universities (Coming Soon)

University of Utah
Utah State University
Utah Tech University
Utah Valley University
Weber State University
Southern Utah University

🎒 Want Everything in One Place?
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Whether your kid is heading to college next fall or figuring it out late, this page gives you a real shot — and that’s more than most families ever get. You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to care enough to keep going.