Take Harder Classes, Earn Bigger Scholarships at Utah State University

Beginning in fall 2027, Utah State University will expand scholarship opportunities for Utah first-year undergraduate students by recognizing both academic achievement and the rigor of their high school coursework.

Utah State is expanding its scholarship program to make paying for college easier to understand while rewarding students who challenge themselves academically. The updated approach gives first-year students from Utah a clearer path to scholarships based on their GPA and now the number of challenging classes they choose to take in high school.

“For students and families thinking about college, navigating scholarships can sometimes be difficult, but at USU, the message is simple: your effort can pay off at Utah State,” said Craig Whyte, executive director of Student Financial Support.

New students who apply to USU by the scholarship deadline will automatically be considered for all eligible awards. That means no hidden formulas, no confusing calculations, and no extra steps to be considered for scholarships. Families will be able to see what scholarships are available, what it takes to qualify, and estimate scholarship support early in their college planning process.

Utah State’s updated scholarship structure includes:

GPA Based Scholarships

This fall, USU will offer academic scholarships that are based on only high school GPA.

These awards recognize academic achievement and support students from all communities, whether they plan to study in Logan or at a Statewide Campus.

New Advanced Coursework Scholarships Beginning Fall 2027

Starting in fall 2027, USU will offer a new two-year, stackable scholarship that rewards students for taking challenging high school courses.

Students may earn this scholarship in addition to GPA-only awards, giving them another way to increase their total scholarship amount.

Qualifying courses include AP, honors, International Baccalaureate, concurrent enrollment, or technical education classes. The more rigorous courses a student completes by Feb. 1, 2027, including completing a first credential in high school, the more scholarship money they unlock:

• 1-5 rigorous courses: $500 per year.
• 6-10 rigorous courses: $1,000 per year.
• 11 or more rigorous courses: $1,500 per year.

This new scholarship approach recognizes that college readiness is reflected not only in a student’s grades, but also in their willingness to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework.

For a student deciding whether to take a more challenging class, this scholarship helps make the value clearer. Those courses can help students prepare for college, build confidence and earn additional scholarship money at USU.

Premier Academic Awards

Utah State will also continue offering premier academic scholarships for students with strong GPAs as well as ACT or SAT scores. These awards recognize students who have demonstrated high academic achievement and strong preparation for college. Students receiving a Premier Academic Award are also guaranteed the highest priority consideration for early admission to the USU Honors Program.

Together, these scholarship opportunities are designed to help students and families plan earlier and feel more confident about the cost of college. Whether a student is just beginning high school or preparing to apply to USU, they can see a clearer path to earning scholarships and planning for college.

"We want students to know that challenging themselves in high school matters," said Utah State President Brad Mortensen. "This scholarship recognizes that effort while helping more students prepare for success at Utah State.”

By recognizing both academic achievement and rigorous coursework, the university is providing more opportunities to earn scholarships and plan ahead. This aligns with Utah State’s commitment to expanding access, supporting student success and preparing students for Utah’s future.

Students and families can learn more at usu.edu/scholarships. Details will be published Sept. 1.