Exclusive Scholarships for Utah Students to Apply for in 2024

Utah Students and Student Debt

Utah's overall population is approximately 3.3 million, and there are around 212,000 students enrolled in Utah universities. As Utah's overall population has continued to grow, so has the engagement in higher education. 2021 saw a 2.24% increase in enrollment of college students. To learn more about the Utah student population and about how the growing number of Utah college students can get scholarships, continue to our scholarship guide for Utah students.

Utah Student Demographics

With nearly 1000 K-12 schools throughout the state, Utah has over 613,000 K-12 students. Of these students, 72% are white, 19% are of Hispanic descent, and the other 9% consist of a variety of ethnically diverse students.

While over a quarter of the students in K-12 schools are economically disadvantaged, the total percentage of children in poverty in Utah is about 10%. Compared to the national percentage of 16.8% in 2019, Utah's child poverty level is low, with a significantly lower percentage of children in poverty than that of the overall United States.

Utah has a rate of 92% for graduating high school seniors, compared to the national graduation rate of 88%. As for college education, 34% of Utah's population has a bachelor's degree or higher.

Education Opportunities in Utah

The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) consists of 9 universities. Utah is also home to 8 technical colleges, 4 private universities, and 9 other upper-level institutions. Higher education for Utah students provides different degrees and career choices, so in-state students don't have to look far to find schools that fit their interests.

If students plan to earn a four-year degree, they can go to one of Utah's universities, including one of its more well-known schools, such as Western Governors University, Utah Valley University, and the University of Utah. Utah also offers 2-year programs, most notably Salt Lake Community College. Christian colleges, like Brigham Young University, are also available.

Costs of a College Education in Utah

In 2021, the average cost of tuition for undergraduate students attending Utah universities was listed as $4,242 for in-state students and $15,124 for out-of-state students. The average living costs range between $8100 and $8500 depending on whether students live on or off-campus.

As high school students prepare for college expenses, they should pay attention to the cost of tuition, living, etc., and begin saving, finding scholarship funds, and searching for financial aid early.

Student Debt in Utah

Out of all of the states in the United States, Utah has the lowest average student debt, with an average of about $18,350. Compared to the national average of $37,100, this is incredibly low. Likewise, only around 38% of college students leave with student debt, whereas the national average is 65%. This discrepancy is due in large part to the fact that Utah's tuition is significantly lower than that of the nation's average. For example, in-state tuition in Utah averages $4,242, while the United States has an overall average of $9,212 for in-state tuition.

Current undergraduate students in Utah have a better chance of leaving with lower debt than students in other states because of the reduced college costs.

How to Apply for Scholarships in Utah

Whether you are a high school student looking to prepare for your future, an undergraduate student currently pursuing a degree, or a graduate student earning an advanced education, there is financial aid available for you. It is never too early nor too late to begin seeking out scholarships. Look for scholarships specific to your school or community and use scholarship platforms, such as Bold.org, to find more opportunities outside of your area.

There are so many scholarships out there that you can look for, and at Bold.org, it only takes a couple of steps to give you full access to exclusive scholarship opportunities. Start by creating your free account with Bold.org. Click on any of the scholarships listed to be directed to where you can make your account. From there, you can fill in your profile and bio to help make you eligible for various scholarships.

When seeking out a scholarship award, it can be useful to look both locally and at wider scales. The scholarships for Utah students listed here include scholarships that apply to both of those categories, with some specific to the state of Utah and others available for students across the nation.

It can seem overwhelming with how many opportunities there are, but you can use the scholarship search page to narrow down options that are best geared toward your education level and interest. You can narrow your search on an educational basis, finding scholarships for high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, or students of any education level. Additionally, the category tab allows you to choose subjects, interests, and experiences you may have in order to help you find scholarships with eligibility requirements specific to you.

Once you've narrowed the search, begin examining the requirements for the scholarships you are interested in, so that you don't begin the application process for scholarships you are not suited for. Pay attention to grade point average requirements, what degree program the scholarship is open to, whether or not the scholarship is open specifically to students with financial need, and other requirements.

From there, Bold.org makes the application process simple, with clear instructions and a format that allows you to complete and submit your application without confusion. Prepare before submitting and put your best foot forward to impress the scholarship committee and increase your chances of joining Bold.org's many scholarship recipients.

The Best Scholarships for Utah Students

There are so many scholarships, that it can be hard to know where to begin. However, Bold.org offers various scholarship types, including specific Utah scholarships, that current and prospective students can apply for.

Scholarships for High Schoolers in Utah

It's never too early to begin thinking about college. High school students have many scholarship opportunities to get financial aid through Bold.org. Use the scholarship search page and the associated filters to narrow down scholarships specifically for high schoolers.

Graduating high school seniors have the most opportunities out of any high school grade because of how close they are to becoming undergraduate students. High school seniors can find scholarships specific to them under the filters on Bold.org in addition to ones specific to their school district.

Undergraduate Utah Scholarships

Undergraduate students have a variety of options, ranging from those for specific majors to those for students of certain schools to general scholarships for all undergraduates. Filter for undergraduate students to find the best options to help pay for your higher education.

Don't forget to explore Bold.org's scholarships at the same time as you are seeking them through your school. Individual schools often support their students with yearly scholarships. Talk to your financial office to see what scholarships are available at your school.

Single Mother Scholarships in Utah

In Utah, 18% of children live in single-parent households. It can seem difficult for single parents to navigate both raising kids alongside earning an upper-level degree. In order to assist single mothers and other single parents in Utah, Bold.org offers scholarships specific to parents pursuing their education.

The Saroya Byrd Legacy Scholarship is for single parents earning their undergraduate degrees. In an even broader sense, the Law Family Single Parent Scholarship is open to single parents of all education levels. These opportunities exist to give support to people who play a dual role, serving as both parent and student.

Music Scholarships in Utah

Bold.org offers music scholarships to students of various education levels. These scholarships will help musically invested students on their journey of furthering their musical education. High school seniors planning to pursue a career in music can apply for the Carl’s Music Matters Scholarship. Another music scholarship, the Robert H. Wagner Jr. Memorial Music Scholarship, is also for high school seniors but is specific to Pennsylvania students.

Scholarships for Hispanic Students in Utah

About 15% of Utah's population consists of Hispanic or Latino residents. Bold.org offers chances for ethnically diverse students to earn financial aid. Some of these scholarships broader and encompass all underrepresented minorities in general, such as the Mary P. Perlea Scholarship Fund and Destinie’s Dollars for Degrees Scholarship.

Additionally, there are more specific scholarships that focus on different ethnic groups. Scholarships specific to Latino and Hispanic students include the Hispanic Empowerment No-Essay Scholarship and the Cisneros Climaco Scholarship. To find more scholarships that support diversity, use the category "Diversity and Inclusion" in your Bold.org scholarship search to give more options.

Additional Scholarships Students in Utah Should Consider

At the end of the day, every student pursuing secondary education has a choice of how they search for scholarships. Students looking to get the most out of their financial aid search should find scholarships with the most eligibility requirements that they fit. The more requirements, the fewer people will be eligible to apply, giving you a higher chance of being chosen for the scholarship.

Oftentimes donors will create a memorial scholarship that looks for students with specific characteristics that match the person they are memorializing. Specific scholarships are key for applicants looking for the highest possible success.

Now that you've looked at Utah Scholarships, check out the Best Colleges in Utah!