The Idaho State Board of Education has several scholarship opportunities available for graduating high school seniors, and recent Idaho high school graduates for the upcoming 2004 - 2005 academic year.
The Idaho Promise Scholarship program was renamed the Robert R. Lee Promise Scholarship by the 2003 Legislature in honor of former state Senator Robert R. Lee, a strong proponent of education in Idaho, who served four terms in the Idaho Senate. The Robert R. Lee Promise Category B Scholarship is designed to encourage students to do well in secondary school, graduate, and continue their education in an Idaho college or university. The Idaho Legislature appropriates the funding for the scholarships each year. During the 2002-2003 academic year approximately 7700 Idaho students received the Promise Category B Scholarship to help them with their college fees. Now in its third year, the scholarship provides up to $500 annually to Idaho students attending college for the first time.
To qualify, students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 or an ACT score of 20 or better and attend a participating Idaho college or university. They must be enrolled as a full time student and must be under the age of 22 prior to enrollment in the academic term of the award. The participating colleges and universities review application materials submitted by entering students to determine eligibility. To be considered for the scholarship students must complete an admission application at any of the participating schools or the statewide Common Admissions Application available at the State Board of Education's website here.
The Robert R. Lee Promise Category A Scholarship provides up to $3,000 per year, is renewable annually and is available for a limited number of qualified students pursuing either academic or professional-technical programs. To be eligible for the Idaho Promise Category A Scholarship an individual must be a resident of Idaho, be a current graduating senior of an Idaho high school, and enroll in the fall 2004 semester as a full-time student at an eligible Idaho college or university. Applicants for academic programs must be in the top 10% of their graduating class with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better, and an ACT score of 28 or above. Applicants enrolling in professional-technical programs must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or better, and take the ACT-COMPASS test. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2003.
The Governor's Challenge Scholarship provides annual scholarships to Idaho students who demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and leadership. To qualify, a student must be a resident of Idaho and a current graduating Senior of an Idaho high school. Additionally, an applicant must enroll full-time in the fall 2004 semester in an academic or professional-technical program at a participating Idaho college or university, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above. Academic applicants must take the ACT or SAT. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2003.
Schools participating in the Robert R. Lee Promise Scholarships and the Governor's Challenge Scholarship include Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, College of Southern Idaho, North Idaho College, Eastern Idaho Technical College, Albertson College of Idaho, BYU-Idaho, and Northwest Nazarene University. In addition, ACI, CSI, ISU and NNU provide some matching funds for the Promise B Scholarship.
For additional information about all of Idaho's grants and scholarships, visit the Board of Education website at www.idahoboardofed.org/scholarships.asp. Interested students may download the Promise A and Governor's Challenge Scholarship applications at the website or contact their high school counselor, the college or university scholarship office, or the Idaho State Board of Education at (208) 334-2270 for additional information.
Luci Willits
Communications
Officer
208-332-1591