Click the link below to get more information or to apply!

Over two-thirds of our Seniors have a complete FAFSA on file! Completing the FAFSA is a requirement for many different federally funded grant programs including institutional scholarships from colleges and universities as well as the GEAR UP scholarship!

Please contact me if you need help filling out the FAFSA for your student!

Jessi Torrero

Counselor

Hansen School District

jtorrero@hansenschools.org

• Applications are open October 1.
• For those who will graduate from an Idaho high school (see list) in 2024 or 2025 having participated in Gear Up between Fall 2019 – Spring 2025.

GEAR UP provides six-year grants to states to facilitate services and scholarships through the first year of college.

Apply Now

Eligibility

To qualify for this scholarship, a student must meet all of the following criteria:

• Applicants must have participated in an Idaho GEAR UP program during the grant years Fall 2019 – Spring 2025 at one of the following school districts:

• Applicants must possess a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
• Applicants must be accepted and enroll in a program of undergraduate instruction at an eligible institution of higher education that is located within Idaho’s boundaries. Eligible institutions include any Idaho public, regionally accredited institution under the general supervision and governance of the Idaho State Board of Education and any private, non-profit, regionally accredited institution, as listed below:

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to March 1 of the graduation year.
• Eligible applicants may receive the scholarship for a maximum of four years (8 semesters) starting in the fall following their high school graduation. Any years not applied for will be forfeited.
• GEAR UP Idaho Scholarship Overview

GEAR UP Scholarship Amounts

Awards will vary based on the number of applicants and funds available on an annual basis.

For further details on eligibility and program administration please see the Federal Statute.

What is LAUNCH?

Idaho LAUNCH is a grant program that provides students a one-time opportunity to have 80% of the published tuition and fees at an eligible institution covered, up to a maximum amount of $8,000. With approximately 75 million dollars available for Idaho LAUNCH funding, it is possible for this program to offer between 9,000 and 10,000 awards per year!

How much is available for students each year?

Students can receive up to one-half of the initial grant award in the first year of a program. However, for programs that are less than 12 months in length, students can use the full awarded amount (80% of tuition and fees up to $8,000) in one year.

Important Dates

• Idaho LAUNCH application opens: October 1
• Initial applications due: November 30
• Idaho LAUNCH application closes: April 15
• Career Pathway Plans due: May 31
• GED completed by: June 15

For questions, please email idaholaunch@wdc.idaho.gov or call 208-488-7575

For the FAQ on the Idaho LAUNCH Contingent Award Process, click here

Career Pathway Plan Information

Visit Next Steps Idaho to complete your plan!