Award: $1,000 (3 awards-1 per school)

Award: $500 (6 awards-2 per school)

Award: $1,300 (3 awards) and $550 (2 awards)

Award: $1,000 (3 awards)

Opportunity Scholarship
The Opportunity Scholarship is a simplified, statewide, achievement-based program that encourages students to complete advanced courses in core subject areas while in high school, aims to make higher education more accessible, and rewards students for preparing academically for college.

Utah Promise Grant
The Utah Promise Grant is a statewide scholarship program that expands access to higher education opportunities to all Utahns by providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need. 

First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME)
The First Credential Scholarship awards high school seniors who complete the required coursework to prepare for college academically. 

T.H. Bell Education Scholarship
The T.H. Bell Education Scholarship Program aims to recruit and support students who are interested in serving as public educators in Utah and who enroll in an approved education program.

Technical Education Scholarship Program
The Technical Education Scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing technical education in designated high-demand industries.

Talent Development Award Program
The Talent Development Award program is intended to recruit and train individuals to work in designated jobs that have a high demand for new employees and offer high wages in Utah.

Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program
The Karen Mayne Public Safety Officer Scholarship Program is a state-funded scholarship program to provide funding to recent high school graduates who intend to work as public safety officers when eligible. 

Career and Technical Education Scholarship Information

Most colleges and universities in Utah and Brigham young University – Idaho in Rexburg, ID, offer financial assistance to top nominees in the Deseret News/KSL Broadcast Group Sterling Scholar Awards Program. Some are offered to winners only while other institutions may offer scholarships also to runners-up, and even others offer to finalists or even nominees in the program. Several are renewable based on the nominee’s grade point average. The following are participating educational institutions and their financial assistance for Sterling Scholars. (Note: Awards are listed as described by the institutions. Exact amounts are not included due to some changes in fee structures. Application must be made immediately; good for the 2024-2025 school year.)

Brigham Young University - Provo

One-year (two semesters) full LDS tuition scholarships to all regional (final round) category winners contingent upon admission to BYU by appropriate deadline. Should you qualify for another scholarship from the Financial Aid Office at BYU, you will receive whichever scholarship is of greater value. For additional information about scholarships, visit our website at https://enrollment.byu.edu/financialaid/apply-for-scholarships. For questions regarding Sterling Scholarships at BYU, email us at scholarships@byu.edu.

Ensign College

Regional category winners will be eligible for one-year (two semesters) full church member tuition (visit our website to see current amount for school year). Runners-up in Business & Marketing categories also eligible for one-year full church member tuition. All other category runners-up eligible for one-year (two semesters) half church member tuition. Students who wish to apply for this scholarship at Ensign College must submit proof of Sterling Scholarship award details to Scholarships@ensign.edu by July 1 to be considered for the upcoming academic school year. Scholarship questions should be directed to the Ensign College Scholarship’s Office: scholarships@ensign.edu or 801-524-8111.

Utah State University

In addition to any other scholarship received from USU, regional category winners will receive a $2,000 stipend for two years ($500 per semester for 4 semesters), regional category runners-up will receive $1,000 stipend for one year ($500 per semester for 2 semesters); and finalists in the Wasatch Front Region receive a $500 stipend for one year ($250 per semester for 2 semesters). Sterling Scholar stipends can be used at all of the 32 USU campuses (including USU Logan Main Campus, Statewide Campuses, USU-Eastern, and USU Blanding). General USU scholarship requirements can be found at www.usu.edu/scholarships. Nominees must (1) apply for admissions by University deadline and (2) email a copy of the Sterling Scholar Award/Certificate to scholarships@usu.edu.

Neumont College of Computer Science

Neumont College of Computer Science will award a full tuition scholarship to regional winners in the general, computer science and STEM-related categories. A half tuition scholarship will be awarded to regional runners-up in the same categories. Sterling Scholar winners are not eligible for other institutional achievement scholarships awarded by the college. Any combination of Sterling Scholar awards with other scholarships are not to exceed full tuition. Contact Rob Dillman, Vice President of Admissions, at rdillman@neumont.edu or call (801) 302-2828.

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College offers a one-year (Fall semester/Spring semester) tuition waiver to regional category winners and runners-up. The exact tuition waiver amount is based on the number of enrolled credit hours. Recipients must enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours each semester they receive this award, with a maximum of 18 credit hours. Nominees are required to pay individual student and course fees. These tuition waivers are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. They are non-renewable and limited. This tuition waiver may be combined with other awards that are not covering tuition, but not in all cases. See website for application due date (apply early-only 4 available). Recipients must provide a copy of their certificate, or the newspaper clipping of award to the Scholarship Team at the Financial Aid Office on the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, or it may be emailed to scholarships@slcc.edu.

Snow College

Snow College is awarding Academic Scholarships based on High School Merit. We encourage all Sterling Scholar participants to apply for Academic Scholarships based on their high school academics. We also encourage students to apply for Leadership and Departmental Scholarships in their areas of expertise. Awards are based on scholarship criteria at: www.Snow.edu/scholarships.

Southern Utah University

$3,000 annual scholarship ($1,500/semester) for a maximum of eight (8) semesters to regional Sterling Scholar category winners and runners-up. Application due date is May 1. Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher to maintain scholarship. The award cannot stack or combine with any other academic institutional scholarships. Contact Christine Fawson call (435) 586-7735 or e-mail at: christinefawson1@suu.edu.

Utah Tech University

Utah Tech University offers a one-year, $1,000 scholarship to Utah High School Sterling Scholar winners in all regions. Sterling Scholar scholarships must be used directly out of high school; and cannot exceed the cost of full tuition when combined with any other scholarship awarded by UTU. To claim this scholarship, the nominee must be admitted to Utah Tech University and submit a copy of their Sterling Scholar Certificate (or a letter from a high school counselor verifying that the student is the winner in their category) to the scholarship coordinator by July 1st. Contact the scholarship office at: scholarships@utahtech.edu, jhale@utahtech.edu, visit www.utahtech.edu or call (435) 652-7578.

University of Utah

Renewable $5,000 annual scholarship to all regional category winners for a total value of approximately $20,000 for a maximum of eight (8) semesters or until the nominee receives a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 and complete 24 hours of course work every two semesters of academic year, namely fall and spring. For additional information about scholarships at the University of Utah: Contact the University of Utah Scholarships and Financial aid office at financialaid@utah.edu or call 801-581-6211.

Utah Valley University

Region Winners – $4,000 per year ($2,000 per semester) for four-years. Retention criteria: 15 credits per semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.5. Region Runners-Up - $3,500 per year ($1,750 per semester) for two-years. Retention criteria: 12 credits per semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.2. High School Winners - $2,000 per year ($1,000 per semester) for one year. Not renewable. Must take 12 credit hours per semester. During their senior year students must apply for this award by being admitted to UVU and completing the online scholarship application by the deadline date of May 1st. Students will be required to provide documentation of their Sterling Scholar Award. For all eligibility requirements please visit our website https://www.uvu.edu/financialaid/scholarships/.

Weber State University

Regional winners will be awarded a one-year tuition scholarship of $2,000. High school category winners will be awarded a one-year tuition scholarship of $1,000. Nominees must be admitted to the university. To apply to the university, please see: http://weber.edu/admissions. Recipient must be a U.S. Citizen and Utah resident attending full-time (12-18 credit hours) each semester and maintain a 2.5 GPA. The Scholarship Office must be notified by July to post the Sterling Scholar Award. The Sterling Scholar Scholarship cannot be combined with academic scholarships. Contact Crystal Giordano scholarship@weber.edu or call (801) 626-7569.

The new FAFSA opened in December 2023 and I would hope everyone has been gathering their information to apply for the FAFSA.  But wait? What is the FAFSA?  I actually do hear this nearly everyday when I ask students if they are going to apply. And it is completely understandable why many don’t know what it is. So in the event you are unsure what it is and in case you think you might want to apply, here are some really good reasons why everyone should.

“Free Application for Federal Student Aid”

This application is actually important for every student that wants to attend college. What the FAFSA determines is whether or not a student is eligible for federal aid in the form of Pell grants or student loans. This is the ONLY way students will know whether they are eligible or not for Pell grants. Well then, what is a Pell grant?

“A Pell Grant is a subsidy the U.S. federal government provides for students who need it to pay for college. Federal Pell Grants are limited to students with financial need, who have not earned their first bachelor’s degree, or who are enrolled in certain post-baccalaureate programs, through participating institutions.”

Basically, a Pell grant is free money that the government gives to students that show financial need, and then students do not have to pay that money back. There are certain requirements that a student must meet when accepting a Pell grant (such as committing to going to college at least part-time) but most students have no problem fulfilling that part-time requirement.

If you do not qualify for a Pell grant, you may qualify for student loans. The great thing about applying for this aid is that you DO NOT have to accept a student loan that might be offered to you through the FAFSA. Even if you qualify for a student loan, there is no reason that you have to accept it other than if you NEED to. If you have been able to secure funding through savings, scholarships, Pell grants, parents bank account, there is no reason that you have to accept a student loan. It is just good to know that in the event that funding doesn’t completely come through, you may have a last resort if you need it. Student loans do have low interest and easy re-payment plans if this is the path you take as many students do.

Students also should apply for the FAFSA if they are planning on applying for scholarships. There are many scholarships that require you fill it out, especially those that are needs based. For example, there is a great scholarship out there (due October 17th) called The Daniels Scholarship. This one is financial needs based and they want to know what you qualify for regarding federal grants. That way, The Daniels Scholarship (if you win their award) program can determine what you need from them once the grants run out.

Many colleges will also want you to apply for the FAFSA. Once you do, the  information is sent to the schools of your choice for their review. Many times schools will award Merit scholarships based on what your FAFSA might say. If you just are just shy of qualifying for Pell grants, but almost qualify for a Merit scholarship, they may just award that student the Merit scholarship based on the information they received.

As you can see, there are a great many reasons why everyone should apply for the FAFSA. ALL students of ALL levels of parent income should still apply. I would encourage all of you to apply today. You never know what benefits might come from taking a half an hour to fill it out. Hope this helps!

Important FAFSA Links

Create a StudentAid.gov account

The 2026-2027 FAFSA is available now! (for students attending college in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027)

Access the 2025-2026 FAFSA Form (for students attending college in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026)

Three reasons you should fill out the FAFSA

What is a Pell grant?

Types of Financial Aid: Loans, Grants, and Work-Study Programs

Financial Aid Eligibility

Latest Update (11/11/25): The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) has released a 2026-207 FAFSA Full Walkthrough video on YouTube that guides students and parents through the 26/27 FAFSA application.

Previous Update (9/24/25): The 2026–27 FAFSA form is now officially available at fafsa.gov. Completing the FAFSA is a critical step toward accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid for college and career training. We strongly encourage students to start early and take advantage of this year’s streamlined experience.

This year’s launch comes with exciting, modernized features:

• Contributor Invite Codes – students can easily invite their parent(s)/contributor(s) to complete their section with just an email address.
• Instant Account Verification – students and parents can create a StudentAid.gov account and submit their FAFSA (including automated IRS data retrieval) the same day.
• Enhanced accuracy & security – improved tools for better data accuracy and stronger protections against fraud.

Previous Update (8/15/2025):

• FAFSA opens October 1, 2025: No delays this year. 
• Instant StudentAid.gov Account verification: Students and parents will now be verified instantly when creating their accounts—no more waiting 1–3 days! This should make FAFSA night events significantly easier for individuals creating their accounts on the same night they plan to complete the 2026-27 FAFSA.
• Easier Contributor Invite Flow: Students will receive a unique code to share with their parent contributors. Parents can use this code to quickly and easily link their applications.

An important component to your scholarship search is learning everything you can about how the scholarship system works. This section of the website includes links to articles and information that will help you navigate the system, and understand specific terms that are related to scholarship applications. There will also be tips and ideas for creating strong college and scholarship applications.

First Generation College Students
Scholarship Myths
College Admissions Strategies for Students With Bad Grades
Seven Tips to Fund College with Scholarships
Scholarship Essay Examples That Won Thousands in 2019
Snow College Scholarship Index
Southern Utah University Scholarship Index
Utah State University Scholarship Index
Utah Tech Scholarship Index
Utah Valley University Scholarship Index
Weber State Scholarship Index

PARENTS: HOW TO HELP YOUR STUDENT EARN SCHOLARSHIPS

• Start now (you don’t have to wait until your student’s senior year)
• Search for scholarships for your student
• Encourage your student to apply for multiple micro-scholarships (those worth less than $5,000 are easier to win)
• Assume your student will win scholarships even if you think you make too much money (look for scholarships without financial need requirements)
• Set aside a specific time each week (or month) to work on scholarship applications with your student

WHERE TO SEARCH FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Tooele Education Foundation Website
Utah System of Higher Education Website
College and University Financial Aid and Scholarship Websites (check to see if they have scholarship universe)
College and University Department Websites
College and University Honors, Ambassador, and TRIO Programs
College Board
Local Businesses or Community Organizations
Your and/or Your Parents’ Employer
Professional Organizations Related to Your Field of Study
Ethnicity-Based Organizations
U.S. Department of Labor

Dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals and be successful in your education. Support services may include academic advisement, career services, wellness support, disability resources, financial aid assistance, peer tutoring, social involvement.

• BYU Student Success Center
• SLCC Student Engagement, Experience, and Achievement
• Snow College Student Services
• SUU Office of Academic Success
• UofU Student Success
• USU Academic Belonging and Learning Excellence
• UT Tech Student Success and Support
• UVU Student Success Center
• Weber State Student Success Center

Imagine for a second about being the first in your family to graduate from college. There is something really great and special about that. Imagine that you were able to take that first step and apply to a college that will set you on the path to achieving your dreams. Imagine that you qualify for financial aid or scholarships that will allow you to be able to finance your college career. Imagine getting a certification or a two year degree, perhaps a bachelor’s degree, even a masters degree. Imagine that all of this is possible even if you are the first. Imagine sitting there in your cap and gown, getting ready to receive your diploma and being ready to proudly say: “I’m the first” in my family to graduate from college.

Are you ready to the be the first? Begin by voicing your desire to go to college. Talk with your school counselor and construct a college plan together. Find out what resources are available to you through financial aid and scholarships. Find out which colleges may offer the programs that you are interested in. And finally, apply to that college. It really is not as scary as it may seem. You really can do this and be the first.

For more information on first generation students go to: I’mfirst.org

I’mfirst.org puts you on the same page as thousands of others students that are also first generation students. Hear inspiring stories, discover that colleges really do care about first generation students and receive guidance that will help you get where you are trying to go.

Be the first to get there. Be the first to say; “I am the first and I will not be the last!”

Contact your School Counselor or Scholarship Coordinator in the counseling center for more information.

 TRiO Programs at Utah Colleges and Universities

Many colleges have TRiO programs that are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds including first generation students. They provide academic tutoring, personal counseling, mentoring, financial guidance, and other supports necessary for educational access and retention. Check out the links below for Utah colleges and universities that offer TRiO programs.

Salt Lake Community College
Snow College
Southern Utah University
The University of Utah
Utah State University
Utah Tech University
Utah Valley University
Weber State University

Other First Generation Resources at Utah Colleges and Universities

BYU First-Generation College Student Resources
Salt Lake Community College First-Generation Student Resources
Southern Utah University First Generation College Student Mentors
The University of Utah Office for First Generation Success
The University of Utah First Generation Scholars
Utah State University Aggie First Scholars
Utah Valley University First Generation Student Success Center
Weber State First Generation

First Generation Social Media Accounts

Instagram:

BYU: @first.genbyusa
University of Utah: @firstgenuofu
Utah Valley University: @uvufirstgen
Weber State: @wsufirstgen

• One Refugee – program specific to Utah and Idaho providing academic mentoring, professional development, and financial assistance (including but not limited to tuition, textbook fees, a laptop, mental health services, emergency housing, and citizenship).
• Immigrants Rising – program specific to California, but provides some general resources for entrepreneurship and freelancing, higher education, law and policy, and art and empowerment. It has a great database of scholarships that can be filtered by areas including location, schools status (i.e high school senior), GPA, field of study, deadline, etc.
• University Alliance for Refugees and At-Risk Migrants (UARRM) – resource has scholarship listings specific to Refugees and Migrants Group, Ethnic and Nationality-Based Groups, and Location (U of U has 2 listed).
• TheDream.US – resource committed to helping undocumented students fulfill their college and career dreams. Offers the National Scholarship for highly motivated students who are eligible to receive in-state tuition in their home state (qualifying universities in Utah include The University of Utah and Weber State University) but still have significant, unmet financial need.
• USAHello – provides a list of national and state scholarships for immigrants and refugees.

Resources, Scholarship Lists and Databases for FAFSA Ineligible Students at Utah Colleges and Universities:

• Salt Lake Community College Dream Center
• University of Utah Dream Center
• Utah State University
• Utah Tech University
• Utah Valley University
• Weber State University
• Davis Technical College

Educational Resources for Non-English Speaking Learners:

• Weber State Building Puentas Program

Contact your School Counselor or Scholarship Coordinator in the counseling center for more information.

Click on the link for some fun and useful ways to study for the ACT  school year!

1. Visit: solutions.shmoop.com/utah
2. Scroll to "Find Your School" and select your school from the alphabetized list
3. Sign In or click Create Student Account to get started
4. Enter student magic word: FRYSAUCE
5. Join a classroom and get started

Need help? Email us at support@shmoop.com

Link to the Tooele City Library for access to Learning Express Library for ACT Prep

Steps to Learning Express Library:

1. Visit: library.tooelecity.gov
2. Click “Catalog Search/Library Account”
3. Click “Learning Express” on the “E-Learning” menu
4. Enter your library number
5. Click on “College Admissions Test Preparation”
6. Click on “Prepare for Your ACT Test”

Register for the SAT

How do I pay for college?

Do I have to apply to a college before filling out my FAFSA?

No-you don't need to be accepted to a college before submitting your FAFSA. You should list any schools you're planning to apply to, even if you haven't submitted your applications yet. Once a school accepts you, they'll use your FAFSA information to create a financial aid offer.

Tip: You can list up to 20 colleges on your FAFSA, and you can always update your list later if your plans change.

Source: studentaid.gov

When should I fill out the FAFSA?

The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 school year is now available. Since many scholarships and colleges have their own FAFSA deadlines, it's important to submit your application as early as possible. Students should fill out the FAFSA every year they plan to attend college.

Be sure to check with your college and any scholarship programs you're applying to so you don't miss their specific deadlines.

I'm going on a mission--do I need to fill out my FAFSA?

You're not required to complete the FAFSA if you are going on a mission before starting college, but we highly recommend that you do. Here's why:

• Counseling Support: While you're still in high school, you have access to help from our Counseling Department. It's much easier to get questions answered and troubleshoot any issues now than than later.
• Future Convenience: The first FAFSA can take time, but once it's done, future updates are much simpler--even while you're on your mission.
• Scholarship Eligibility: Some scholarships, like the Opportunity Scholarship, require the FAFSA. The good news? This scholarship is deferrable, so you can use it when you return.

Completing your FAFSA now sets you up for a smoother transition back to college life--and keeps your options open.

When should I apply for college?

⏰ Utah College Application Week (UCAW): UCAW take place in October or early November of your senior year. During this week, the Counseling Department is available to help you complete college applications, answer questions, and celebrate your progress. For exact dates and times, stop by the Counseling Office.

🙋‍♀️ Missed UCAW? No worries! If you missed UCAW and need help with applications at any time, just make an appointment in the Counseling Office--we're here to support you.

📅 Admission Deadlines: Each college and university sets its own deadlines. Be sure to check their websites for the most up-to-date information and plan ahead so you don't miss out.

How do I choose a major?

Choosing a major is a journey of self-discovery, goal-setting, and connection. Here's how to get started:

Identify Your Interests: Start by exploring what makes you tick.

✍️ Make a list of 10 things you love--hobbies, subjects, causes, anything!

💡 Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses.

🧠 Take the BigFuture Career Quiz to match interests with career path.

🔍 Complete the Keys to Success self-surveys:

• Career Cluster Inventory
• Entrepreneurial Assessment
• Interest Profiler

🧬 Discover your natural aptitudes with YouScience.

🛠️ Explore Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways offered at your school.

Set Career Goals: Think ahead to where you want to go.

🎓 Use UtahMajors to find that which degrees are offered at Utah's public colleges and what careers they lead to.

💰 Try the Living Wage Calculator to estimate how much you'll need to earn to live comfortably in your chosen area.

Seek Guidance: You're not alone in this process.

🤝 Talk to your School Counselor, College Advisor, or Scholarship Coordinator (we love helping with this!).

Network with Professionals: Get real-world insight.

📞 Reach out to professionals in fields you're curious about. Ask about their education, daily work, and advice for students like you.

Consider Future Job Demand: Choosing a major isn't just about what you--it's also about where the world is headed.

🔮 Explore High-Growth Fields: According to recent projections, these majors are expected to lead to strong job opportunities through 2030 and beyond.

📈 Use Tools Like These:

• BLS Fastest Growing Occupations - U.S. job growth projections through 2030.
• Living Wage Calculator - Estimate future income needs based on location.

How do I ask for a letter of recommendation?

The best way to ask for a letter of recommendation is to be prepared, polite, and give your recommender plenty of time. Follow these steps:

• Choose someone who knows you well. Pick a teacher, counselor, coach, or mentor who can speak about your strengths, character, and accomplishments.
• Ask early. Reach out at least 2–3 weeks before the deadline so they have time to write a thoughtful letter.
• Ask in person when possible. A face‑to‑face conversation is ideal. If that isn’t possible, a respectful email works too.
• Be clear about what you need. Share the scholarship name, the deadline, and how the letter should be submitted.
• Provide helpful information. Give them a short list of your activities, achievements, goals, and anything you’d like them to highlight. This makes their job easier and helps them write a stronger letter.
• Follow up with gratitude. Always thank your recommender, both when they agree and after they submit the letter.

Asking early and being organized shows maturity — and it helps your recommender write the best possible letter for you.