Utah Opportunity Scholarship
Offered by Utah System of Higher Education · Free to apply
Utah graduates who finished with a 3.3 unweighted GPA and took at least one AP, IB, or concurrent enrollment course in each of math, science, and language arts can earn up to $1,000 a semester for four semesters at Utah publics plus BYU, Ensign, Westminster, and Western Governors. The per-student maximum is reset every year against available funding and the number of qualified applicants, so an actual payment can come in below $1,000. Two things must be submitted: the Utah System of Higher Education application, which typically opens in the fall of senior year, and the FAFSA or its approved alternative, both by February 1 of the graduation year. Private school graduates also send an official transcript. Payments continue only while you stay full time and clear a 3.0 GPA each paid semester.
How hard is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Utah residents
- Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
- Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
- Fewer rivalsRequires at least a 3.3 GPA
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Utah Opportunity Scholarship?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Utah
- Open to high school seniors
- GPA of 3.3 or higher (unweighted)
- Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card)
- Must have completed at least one AP, IB, or Concurrent Enrollment course in each of math, science, and language arts
- Actual award may be below $1,000/semester depending on annual funding and applicant volume
- Private-school graduates must submit an official transcript with the application
What the application takes
- Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is February 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around February 1 each year. Applications open typically in the fall of senior year. The FAFSA must also be in by February 1, so plan to finish both forms over winter break of senior year.
- Application typically opens
- Fall of senior year 2026
- Application and FAFSA due
- February 1, 2027
- Annual award amounts set and applicants notified
- After applications close
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Utah Opportunity Scholarship
How much is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship worth?
The Utah Opportunity Scholarship awards up to $1,000/semester for up to 4 semesters (maximum set annually by funding and applicant count) and is renewable in later years.
When is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship deadline?
The current deadline is February 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around February 1 each year. Applications open typically in the fall of senior year. The FAFSA must also be in by February 1, so plan to finish both forms over winter break of senior year.
When do Utah Opportunity Scholarship applications open?
Applications open typically in the fall of senior year, and close February 1, 2027. The FAFSA must also be in by February 1, so plan to finish both forms over winter break of senior year.
Who is eligible for the Utah Opportunity Scholarship?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Utah; Open to high school seniors; GPA of 3.3 or higher (unweighted); Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents (green card).
Does the Utah Opportunity Scholarship require an essay?
No essay is required. The application does ask for a transcript. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Utah Opportunity Scholarship?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Utah Opportunity Scholarship free to apply?
Yes. The Utah Opportunity Scholarship is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.