Planning for college, technical training, or a career program after high school can feel overwhelming, but there are many resources available to help students pay for school. Scholarships, grants, FAFSA, tuition waivers, and school-specific awards can help reduce the cost of college and career training.
Students should begin researching scholarships at the start of senior year and continue checking deadlines throughout the year. Many college scholarships require students to apply for admission first, complete a scholarship application, and submit the FAFSA.
Start Here: Important Steps for Seniors
Students should complete these steps during senior year:
- Apply for college, technical college, or career training programs early.
- Complete the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov.
- Check each college’s scholarship deadline.
- Apply for school-specific scholarships.
- Apply for statewide Utah scholarships.
- Look for local, community, employer, and national scholarships.
- Check student email often so important scholarship or financial aid messages are not missed.
- Ask the college financial aid office for help if you have questions.
FAFSA
The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is used to determine eligibility for federal grants, work-study, loans, and some scholarships. Many Utah colleges also use FAFSA information for need-based scholarships and grants. Students should complete the FAFSA even if they are not sure they will qualify for aid.
FAFSA Website: StudentAid.gov
Utah Statewide Scholarships & Aid Programs
Utah System of Higher Education Scholarships & Aid
The Utah System of Higher Education provides information about statewide scholarships and aid programs for Utah students. Students should review eligibility requirements carefully because some programs are based on academic preparation, financial need, or technical education pathways.
Statewide Scholarships & Aid: USHE Scholarships and Aid Programs
Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship is a statewide scholarship program for Utah high school students who complete specific academic requirements. Students must apply during their senior year and should pay close attention to deadlines and email notifications.
Opportunity Scholarship: Opportunity Scholarship
Utah Promise Grant
The Utah Promise Grant helps eligible Utah students with financial need access higher education opportunities. Students should complete the FAFSA and work with their college financial aid office to learn more.
Utah Promise Grant: Utah Promise Grant
First Credential Scholarship
The First Credential Scholarship, formerly PRIME, supports eligible students working toward a first credential. This may be especially helpful for students interested in technical education or career training.
First Credential Scholarship: First Credential Scholarship
Utah CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards
The Utah State Board of Education offers Career and Technical Education scholarships and tuition awards for outstanding Utah CTE students. These awards are connected to participating Utah colleges and technical colleges.
CTE Scholarships: USBE CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards
Utah Public Colleges & Universities
University of Utah
The University of Utah offers merit-based and need-based scholarships for incoming freshman students. Students should review admissions and scholarship deadlines carefully.
Scholarships: University of Utah Scholarships
Financial Aid: University of Utah Financial Aid
Utah State University
Utah State University offers scholarships for future Aggies, current students, and students at different USU campuses. Admitted students are encouraged to complete the USU General Scholarship Application through ScholarshipUniverse.
Scholarships: USU Scholarships
Future Aggie Scholarships: USU Future Aggie Scholarships
Weber State University
Weber State University offers merit-based and need-based scholarships for new, transfer, and continuing students. Students are encouraged to apply for admission and complete FAFSA.
Scholarships: Weber State Scholarships
Financial Aid: Weber State Financial Aid
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University offers scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Students should check SUU’s scholarship and financial aid information for current eligibility and deadlines.
Financial Aid & Scholarships: SUU Financial Aid
Scholarships: SUU Scholarships
Utah Tech University
Utah Tech University offers freshman academic scholarships for first-time incoming freshmen. Students must be fully admitted by the scholarship deadline for consideration.
Scholarships: Utah Tech Scholarships
Utah Resident Freshman Scholarships: Utah Tech Resident Freshman Scholarships
Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University offers hundreds of scholarship opportunities through ScholarshipUniverse. Students should complete the scholarship application and check both resident and non-resident scholarship options.
Scholarships: UVU Scholarships
Freshman Resident Scholarships: UVU Freshman Scholarships
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake Community College offers scholarships, tuition waivers, and third-party scholarship opportunities through ScholarshipUniverse. Students are encouraged to complete the SLCC General Scholarship Application.
Scholarships: SLCC Scholarships
State Scholarships & Tuition Waivers: SLCC State Scholarships and Tuition Waivers
Snow College
Snow College offers academic scholarships, performance-based scholarships, private scholarships, and financial aid resources. Students are encouraged to apply early because scholarship funds may be limited.
Scholarships: Snow College Scholarships
Financial Aid: Snow College Financial Aid
Utah Technical Colleges & Trade Programs
Technical colleges are a great option for students who want hands-on training, industry certifications, apprenticeships, or faster pathways into the workforce. Many programs offer scholarships, Pell Grant options, payment plans, and employer-sponsored opportunities.
Bridgerland Technical College
Bridgerland Technical College offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities for eligible students. Students can contact the financial aid office or a Student Success Advisor for help.
Scholarships: BTECH Scholarships
Financial Aid: BTECH Financial Aid
Davis Technical College
Davis Technical College offers scholarships and financial aid options. Some scholarship awards may cover a portion of tuition and fees.
Scholarships: Davis Tech Scholarships
Financial Aid: Davis Tech Financial Aid
Dixie Technical College
Dixie Technical College offers scholarships, Pell Grant guidance, and payment plan options. Students should complete a Dixie Tech application and meet with financial aid advisors.
Scholarships: Dixie Tech Scholarships
Financial Aid: Dixie Tech Financial Aid
Mountainland Technical College
Mountainland Technical College offers scholarships and financial aid resources. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA and the MTECH General Scholarship Application.
Scholarships: MTECH Scholarships
Financial Aid: MTECH Financial Aid
Ogden-Weber Technical College
Ogden-Weber Technical College offers financial aid and scholarships. OTECH also offers a summer scholarship for graduating seniors that may help students begin training after high school.
Scholarships: OTECH Scholarships
Financial Aid: OTECH Financial Aid
Southwest Technical College
Southwest Technical College offers financial resources including FAFSA, institutional scholarships, veterans benefits, sponsorships, and childcare assistance.
Scholarships: Southwest Tech Scholarships
Financial Resources: Southwest Tech Financial Resources
Tooele Technical College
Tooele Technical College offers state and private need-based scholarships. Students should work with Student Services or a college advisor to learn how to apply.
Scholarships: Tooele Tech Scholarships
Financial Aid Information: Tooele Tech Financial Aid
Uintah Basin Technical College
Uintah Basin Technical College offers multiple scholarships through one online application. Students should review required documents before applying.
Scholarships & Financial Aid: UBTech Scholarships and Financial Aid
Utah Private Colleges & Universities
Brigham Young University
BYU offers scholarships for new freshmen, transfer students, continuing students, and other student groups. Students must apply by posted scholarship deadlines, and BYU recommends completing the FAFSA for full scholarship consideration.
Scholarships: BYU Scholarships
New Freshman Scholarships: BYU New Freshman Scholarships
Ensign College
Ensign College offers scholarships for incoming and current students, including stackable scholarship options. Some Ensign scholarships do not require FAFSA, but FAFSA may help with need-based aid.
Scholarships: Ensign College Scholarships
Financial Aid: Ensign College Financial Aid
Westminster University
Westminster University offers financial aid, merit scholarships, need-based aid, and additional scholarship opportunities. Students are automatically considered for some merit scholarships when they apply for admission.
Financial Aid: Westminster Financial Aid
Scholarships: Westminster Scholarships
Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers scholarships for eligible students, including Utah-specific scholarship opportunities. Students apply for WGU scholarships after completing the admissions application process.
Scholarships: WGU Scholarships
Utah Partnership Scholarship: WGU Utah Partnership Scholarship
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences
Joyce University offers financial aid and scholarship options for students pursuing nursing and health science programs. Students interested in healthcare careers should check program-specific financial aid options.
Financial Aid: Joyce University Financial Aid
Scholarships & Grants: Joyce Scholarships and Grants
Neumont College of Computer Science
Neumont offers grants and scholarships for incoming students, with award amounts varying by student qualifications. This may be a good option for students interested in computer science and technology careers.
Tuition & Aid: Neumont Tuition and Aid
Scholarships & Grants: Neumont Scholarships and Grants
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions offers internal scholarships and financial aid support, especially for students pursuing health professions programs.
Financial Aid: RMU Financial Aid
Scholarships: RMU Scholarships
Scholarship Search Tools
Students should also search for scholarships outside of colleges. Many scholarships come from local organizations, employers, community groups, foundations, and national scholarship databases.
Recommended Scholarship Search Websites
- College Board BigFuture Scholarship Search
- CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder
- Scholarships.com
- Scholarships360
- Going Merry
- Keys to Success
- Fastweb
CareerOneStop’s scholarship finder searches thousands of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other financial aid opportunities, and College Board’s BigFuture also provides a large scholarship search tool for students.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships
Students should:
What Students May Need for Scholarship Applications
Students may be asked for:
- Full legal name
- Student ID number
- Personal email address
- Parent/guardian information
- High school transcript
- GPA
- ACT or SAT score, if required
- Resume or activities list
- Volunteer or service hours
- Personal statement or essay
- Letter of recommendation
- FAFSA information
- Proof of residency
- College admission confirmation
Sample Senior Year Scholarship Timeline
August–September
- Create a personal email account for college and scholarship communication.
- Start a scholarship spreadsheet.
- Apply to colleges and technical colleges.
- Check scholarship deadlines for each school.
- Ask for recommendation letters early.
October–December
- Complete FAFSA when it opens.
- Apply for institutional scholarships.
- Work on essays and personal statements.
- Check statewide Utah scholarship deadlines.
- Continue applying for local and national scholarships.
January–March
- Submit college scholarship applications before priority deadlines.
- Follow up with financial aid offices.
- Check student email weekly.
- Apply for local scholarships.
- Compare college costs and financial aid offers.
April–May
- Review financial aid offers.
- Accept scholarships correctly.
- Complete housing, orientation, and enrollment steps.
- Notify the college if you receive outside scholarships.
- Thank anyone who wrote recommendation letters.
Summer After Graduation
- Check email for final financial aid steps.
- Submit any missing documents.
- Attend orientation.
- Register for classes.
- Set up a payment plan if needed.
- Keep copies of all scholarship award letters.
Questions?
Students should contact the college or technical college financial aid office directly for the most accurate and updated information. Scholarship deadlines, eligibility rules, and award amounts can change each year. Always check the official college scholarship page before applying.
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