Best Scholarships in ID

Quick Highlights:

There are valuable scholarships for students living or attending school in Idaho.
College degrees are increasingly necessary but also more expensive.
Federal grants and loans, applied through FAFSA, are essential for financial aid.
A FAFSA application must be completed each year to determine eligibility.
Scholarships and financial aid options are crucial to making college affordable.

A college degree is becoming more and more popular as time goes on. In fact, some experts on the job market and the economy say that having a bachelor’s degree today is the equivalent of having a high school diploma 30 years ago. This is troublesome for many students today because as a college degree becomes more and more necessary, tuition prices have been increasing at an exponential rate.

All of this means that college has become more and more unaffordable in recent years. It used to be that a student could work their way through school with a part-time job and come out with minimal debt. Today, the average student graduates from college with just under $30,000 in student loans. This is just the average. Some students have huge bills when it comes to their student loans that make them nearly impossible to pay off and live a normal life.

Featured Programs

Luckily, there is a bevy of different options available to those that are looking for ways to finance their education. You can start with federal grants and loans acquired through the government. These are to be applied for every via the Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA). This is due every year on February 15th. This application is critical both because it helps you get federal loans and helps keep you eligible for other loans and scholarships.

🏅 Merit-Based Scholarships

Idaho Governor’s Cup Scholarship

A merit-based scholarship for Idaho high school seniors attending college in Idaho, awarded to 25 students annually.

Award Amount: $3,000/year (renewable: 4 years academic, 3 years technical)
Eligibility: Idaho high school seniors; 2.8 GPA; SAT/ACT required
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15 recommended
Application: Online form + academic materials

Presidential Scholarship (Boise State University)

A high-value merit award for Idaho students with top GPA and test scores; renewable for four semesters.

Award Amount: $5,000/year for 4 semesters
Eligibility: 3.9 GPA; ACT 19 or SAT 1240
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15
Application: FAFSA + Boise State admissions

Dean’s Scholarship (Boise State University)

Offered to academically strong Idaho students with high ACT/SAT scores; renewable for four semesters.

Award Amount: $3,000/year
Eligibility: 3.85 GPA; ACT 27 or SAT 1210
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15

True Blue Promise (Boise State University)

A renewable award for academically solid students entering Boise State University.

Award Amount: $2,000/year for 4 years
Eligibility: 3.3 GPA; ACT 25 or SAT 1130
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15

BYU–Idaho New Freshman Scholarship (8 Semesters)

Full tuition scholarship for high-achieving freshmen based on GPA and test scores.

Award Amount: Full tuition for 8 semesters
Eligibility: 3.9 GPA; ACT 35 or SAT 1560
Deadline: February 1

BYU–Idaho New Freshman Scholarship (2 Semesters)

Two-semester full tuition award for merit-based achievement.

Award Amount: Full tuition for 2 semesters
Eligibility: 2.6 GPA; ACT 33 or SAT 1460
Deadline: February 1

BYU–Idaho New Freshman Scholarship (Standard Merit)

Merit scholarship for freshmen with strong academics; GPA and test scores considered.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 3.4 GPA; ACT 31 or SAT 1360
Deadline: February 1

NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarship

Annual $3,500 scholarship for high school seniors in Region 4 (includes Idaho) pursuing a career in education.

Award Amount: $3,500
Eligibility: No minimum GPA; academic achievement emphasized
Deadline: March 18

💰 Need-Based Scholarships

Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

A need- and merit-based scholarship for Idaho residents pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA; Idaho resident; FAFSA + state app
Deadline: March 1

Gear Up Idaho Scholarship

Need-based scholarship from the Idaho Board of Education for recent high school graduates under age 22.

Award Amount: Up to the Pell Grant maximum
Eligibility: Idaho residents; FAFSA required; high school seniors only
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15

Tschudy Family Scholarship

Award for Emmett High School graduates based on academic merit and financial need; renewable for up to seven years.

Award Amount: $2,500/year
Eligibility: Emmett HS grads; 2.6 GPA; FAFSA + application
Deadline: February 15

Wells Fargo Foundation Scholarship

Need-based scholarship for students at College of Western Idaho with a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Award Amount: Up to $1,000
Eligibility: FAFSA + scholarship form; 2.0 GPA
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15; app due June 11

Leon Bradley Scholarship

Award for minority students pursuing a career in education; includes support for student teaching.

Award Amount: $1,500–$2,500
Eligibility: No GPA requirement; based on merit + need
Deadline: May 29

Korean American Scholarship Foundation

Scholarship for students of Korean descent in the western U.S., including Idaho.

Award Amount: Varies by need
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA; Korean descent
Deadline: July 8

Presbyterian Student Opportunity Scholarship

Need-based scholarship for Presbyterian college students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Award Amount: Up to $2,000
Eligibility: 2.5 GPA; sophomore–senior; must be Presbyterian
Deadline: May 15

National Society of Accountant Scholarship

Award for accounting students with financial need and strong academic performance.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA; sophomore or higher
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15

🎓 University-Specific Scholarships

Eugene H. Magleby Scholarship (Idaho State)

Awarded to Idaho State science or engineering students based on financial need.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Idaho resident; 2.5 GPA (UG) or 3.0 (PG)
Deadline: FAFSA by February 15

Jayson C. and Ruth R. Holladay Scholarship (Idaho State)

Need-based award for juniors and seniors in the College of Arts and Letters.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA; FAFSA required
Deadline: February 15

In-State Transfer Student Scholarship (Lewis & Clark)

Scholarship for new Idaho transfer students with 60+ credits and strong academics.

Award Amount: $1,500 (renewable for 2 years)
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA; full-time enrollment
Deadline: March 1

High School Leadership Scholarship (Lewis & Clark)

Award for Idaho high school graduates demonstrating leadership and enrolling full-time.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 2.5 GPA; must live on campus
Deadline: March 1

🌱 Community-Based & Other Scholarships

Alois and Marie Goldmann Memorial Fund Scholarship

Essay-based scholarship honoring Holocaust victims, for Idaho students attending in-state colleges.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: Idaho resident; Holocaust-related essay
Deadline: Varies

Community Council of Idaho Scholarship

Award for Idaho high school seniors attending an Idaho college; minimum 2.5 GPA required.

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 15

Armed Forces/Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship

Award for dependents of Idaho military or public safety workers; includes housing and fee waivers.

Award Amount: Waived fees + $500 + housing
Eligibility: Must attend a public Idaho institution
Deadline: Open year-round

Pride Foundation Scholarship

Award for LGBTQ+ students and allies in the Northwest who show commitment to social justice.

Award Amount: Up to $10,000
Eligibility: Must submit a 250–500 word essay + record of advocacy
Deadline: January 11

ASTA William Hunt Scholarship

Scholarship for students pursuing tourism careers with prior experience, from the Pacific Northwest.

Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 3

Henry & Joyce W. Summit Scholarship

Renewable arts scholarship for high school students in the Pacific region with a 3.0 GPA.

Award Amount: $5,000/year
Deadline: April 30

MGMA Western Scholarship

Award for students in medical practice management fields in the Western U.S.; merit-based.

Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 1

Army ROTC Green and Gold Scholarship

Full scholarship for ROTC members with prior active duty; includes tuition, room, board, and expenses.

Award Amount: Full cost of attendance
Eligibility: <31 years old; 2+ years active duty
Deadline: February 1

Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship for Pacific Northwest medical students studying osteopathy.

Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: 2nd–4th year DO students
Deadline: May 30

INLA Scholarship

Award for horticulture or plant science students in Idaho; requires letters of recommendation and an essay.

Award Amount: $750+
Deadline: November 1

ISBA Wayne D. Cornell Memorial Scholarship

Broadcasting scholarship for Idaho residents with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 15

Art Pattison Scholarship (TV Industry)

Scholarship for Idaho students with experience in television and strong academic credentials.

Award Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 1

Art Pattison County Employee Scholarship

Award for children of Idaho county employees, based on academics, service, and an essay.

Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 2

We’ve worked hard to include a variety of scholarship opportunities within our list. If you have any suggestions on additional scholarships, please feel free to leave them in the comments section.