In-state scholarships at UIdaho
Scholarships just for Idahoans
University of Idaho wants to make its education accessible to all Idahoans. With U of I’s Go Idaho! Program and Idaho-sponsored scholarships, you can focus on academics, explore career opportunities and graduate with less debt — all while benefiting from a top-tier, Carnegie R1 research university experience.
Go Idaho! scholarship
The Go Idaho! program provides guaranteed scholarship funding to Idaho high school and transfer students. Whether you're a first-year undergraduate or a transfer student, this program offers a solid financial foundation, allowing you to focus on your education and career goals.
Guaranteed scholarship benefits
- Predictable funding — Your scholarship amount remains consistent each year, combining general, non-departmental and departmental scholarships so you can budget with confidence.
- Four-year commitment — First-year students receive funding for up to four years, ensuring long-term support through graduation.
- Flexibility to explore — Your merit-based scholarship stays with you, even if you change majors, giving you the freedom to follow your passions without financial penalty.
Go Idaho! for first-year students
The Go Idaho! Scholarship Program recognizes our new, first-year undergraduate students, who are residents of Idaho, with a guaranteed minimum level of scholarship funding.
Additional need-based funds may be available based on the results of your FAFSA, which we encourage you to complete annually.
- Students who are admitted and meet the following criteria are guaranteed to receive the level of funding listed below from a variety of U of I scholarships.
- Scholarships may come from donor-based sources, departmental awards and/or institutional funding sources.
- This minimum funding level is guaranteed for up to four years if the student maintains a minimum cumulative 2.5 U of I GPA.
Idaho high school students receive four years of guaranteed funding based on their unweighted GPA:
- 3.9 - 4.0 → Vandal Pride $7,500
- 3.75 - 3.899 → Vandal Summit $5,000
- 3.4 - 3.749 → Vandal Excellence $4,000
- 3.0 - 3.399 → Vandal Merit $1,000
Homeschool students will be considered based on their highest ACT and SAT scores.
Non-accredited Idaho High School GPAs (if provided to Undergraduate Admissions) will be considered for Go Idaho award levels. If you are an Idaho resident who went to a non-accredited out-of-state high school, your award will be based on your standardized test scores.
Student award notifications typically are sent in late December or early January, via paper award letters and email notifications.
*Note: some departmental scholarships students receive may automatically apply towards their Go Idaho! Program Scholarship and may replace an “Academic Achievement” award. If a departmental scholarship is applied after you accept an “Academic Achievement” award, the departmental monies may replace the initial award and fulfill the institution’s promise for minimum funding amounts.
Go Idaho! for transfer students
The Go Idaho! Scholarship Program recognizes our undergraduate transfer students who are residents of Idaho with a guaranteed level of scholarship funding. Students who are admitted and meet the following criteria are guaranteed to receive the level of funding listed below from a combination of U of I scholarships. By maintaining a minimum 2.5 U of I GPA, this level of funding may be renewed for an additional two to three years, depending on the number of credits transferred. Additional need-based Go Idaho! funds may be available based on the results of your FAFSA.
Idaho transfer students receive two to four years of guaranteed funding based on their transfer GPA and credits:
- 3.8 - 4.0 → Vandal Summit $3,000
- 3.6 - 3.799 → Vandal Excellence $2,000
- 3.0 - 3.599 → Vandal Merit $1,000
With Go Idaho!, you can plan your college journey with confidence and focus on what matters most — your future.
*Note that some departmental scholarships you may receive automatically apply towards the Go Idaho! promise to replace any general funds, while others are able to stack on top of the Go Idaho! to provide further financial assistance.
Idaho invests in your future
Every Idaho student should have access to an affordable, high-quality education. That’s why the state supports Idaho LAUNCH and Idaho Opportunity, two powerful state-funded programs designed to make your college dreams a reality.
Idaho LAUNCH: Up to $8,000 for your education
The Idaho LAUNCH program provides up to $8,000 in tuition assistance (up to $4,000 per academic year) for Idaho high school graduates pursuing in-demand careers. This scholarship is available for eligible degree and certificate programs that prepare students for Idaho’s growing industries. Pair Idaho LAUNCH with U of I’s other scholarships — like Go Idaho! — to maximize your savings and minimize debt.
Idaho LAUNCH funds can help you fund many programs at U of I. The current list of approved careers has been provided by Next Steps.
Current Idaho LAUNCH approved programs based on in-demand careers
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Agricultural Education
- Agricultural Science, Communications and Leadership
- Agricultural System Management
- Agriculture Commodity Risk Management
- Animal and Veterinary System
- Applied Finance
- Art
- Athletic Leadership
- Biochemistry
- Biological Engineering
- Biology
- Biotechnology and Plant Genomics
- Broadcasting and Digital Media
- Business Administration
- Business Analytics
- Business Economics
- Business Leadership
- Career and Technical Education
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Child Development
- Climate Change
- Climate Change and Solutions
- Communication
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Conservation Biology
- Criminology
- Crop Science and Management
- Cybersecurity
- Early Childhood Education
- Earth and Spatial Sciences: Geography and Global Sustainability
- Earth and Spatial Sciences: Geological Sciences
- Earth and Spatial Sciences: Hydrology and Climate
- Ecology and Ecosystems Science
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering
- Elementary Education
- Enterprise Systems Integration
- Entomology
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Hydrogeology
- Environmental Science
- Exercise, Sport and Health Sciences
- Finance
- Fire Ecology and Management
- Fire Safety
- Food and Nutrition
- Food Science
- Forestry
- Forest and Sustainable Products
- Forest Nursery Management and Technology
- Forest Operations and Technology
- Geographic Information Systems — Certificate
- Geographical Information Systems
- Geology
- Global Disease Ecology
- Horticulture and Urban Agriculture
- Industrial Technology
- Interior Architecture and Design
- Journalism
- Management and Human Resources
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medical Sciences
- Microbiology
- Music
- Music Education
- Music Performance: Instrumental
- Music Performance: Keyboard
- Music Performance: Vocal
- Natural Resource Management
- Natural Resources Enterprise Management
- Nutritional Science
- Operations and Supply Chain Management
- Organizational Dynamics
- Organizational Sciences
- Physics
- Precision Agriculture
- Promotions and Digital Marketing
- Psychology
- Public Relations
- Rangeland Ecology and Management
- Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management
- Remote Sensing of Environment
- Restoration Ecology
- Robotics Systems
- Sales Management
- Secondary Education
- Small Business Management
- Social Media Management
- Sociology
- Statistics
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Technical Program Management
- Technical Workforce Training
- Technical Writing
- Theatre Arts
- Trading and Capital Management
- Tribal Natural Res Stewardship
- Water Science and Management
- Wildland Fuel and Fire Technology
- Wildlife Sciences
Important dates
- Idaho LAUNCH application opens: Oct. 1
- Initial applications due: Nov. 30
- Contingent Award letters sent by: Dec. 31, March 31 and May 31
- Idaho LAUNCH application closes: April 15
What's next?
- Step 1: Apply to University of Idaho
- Step 2: Apply for Idaho LAUNCH grant
- Step 3: Submit your FAFSA
- Step 4: Become a Vandal!
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship: $3,500 per year
The Idaho Opportunity Scholarship helps Idaho students by awarding up to $3,500 per year. This renewable scholarship supports students with a minimum 2.7 GPA who plan to attend an eligible Idaho institution, including U of I.
Important dates
- Application opens: Oct. 1
- Initial applications due: Nov. 30
- Round 1 Contingent Offers* sent via email: Dec. 31
- Deadline to submit FAFSA: March 1
- Application closes: March 1
- Round 2 Contingent Offers* sent via email: March 31
- Official Offers sent via email: by mid-April
*Contingent offers are NOT final until the State Board of Education:
- Verifies your 2024-25 FAFSA submission and;
- Ranks all applications based on need (FAFSA) and merit (GPA).
Learn about Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
Stack your scholarships and save even more
Idaho students can combine state-funded scholarships with U of I’s merit-based scholarships, financial aid and other awards to make college even more affordable. With multiple funding opportunities, you can focus on your education — not your tuition bill.
Need help?
The Financial Aid team is available to help with your Idaho LAUNCH, Idaho Opportunity or Go Idaho! questions.
- Phone: 208-885-6312
- Toll-free: 1-888-884-3246
- Fax: 208-885-5592
- Email: finaid@uidaho.edu
For more specific LAUNCH questions, reach out to Idaho Workforce Development Council:
- Phone: 208-488-7575
- Email: idaholaunch@wdc.idaho.gov