School Options/Programs

New Century Scholarship Program

The New Century Scholarship program provides college scholarships to students who complete an Associate's Degree with a 3.0 GPA by September 1st of the same year their class graduates high school. Due to economic downturn, legislative budget cuts, and increased numbers of qualified applicants, the award amount for the New Century Scholarship has been reduced for the 2009-2010 academic year to 40% of tuition charges (does not include fees). Students who are attending Brigham Young University or Westminster College will receive 40 percent of average tuition of state four year institutions.

SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT
The State Board of Regents is "pleased to announce that the New Century Scholarship will be fully funded and the percentage to be paid for the 2009-2010 year will be the full 75%."

The New Century Scholarship award amount is subject to availability of funding and number of qualified applicants and is not guaranteed. The exact award amount for the 2010-2011 academic year is yet to be determined given the state’s uncertain fiscal situation. It is anticipated that the percentage of tuition paid for the 2010-2011 academic year will be determined during the next legislative session.

COSTS
Scholarships are funded by the State through taxes. Students are responsible for covering the remainder of their college tuition and costs.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE
To be eligible, students must be a legal Utah resident and must complete one of the following:

1. Earn an Associate’s Degree (or equivalent if coursework is completed at a school that does not offer an associate’s degree) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher by September 1st of the year their class graduates from high school.  High school students can do this through Utah's concurrent enrollment program.  Learn more>>

2. Complete the math and science curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher before September 1st of the year their class graduates from high school.

HOW TO ENROLL
To apply for the New Century Scholarship, students must complete an application and submit a copy of their official high school and college transcripts (showing graduation dates and degree(s) awarded).   Because students must complete an Associate’s Degree or the math and science curriculum by September 1st of the year their class graduates from a Utah high school, it is imperative for them to work closely with their high school counselor, college adviser, and parents to ensure that they have met all of the requirements.

Scholarship recipients are required to make reasonable progress (successfully enroll in and complete a minimum of six credit hours per semester) toward the completion of a bachelor’s degree to receive funding for the semester. Recipients who fail to earn a semester GPA of 3.0 or above for any two consecutive semesters will lose their eligibility for the scholarship.

Recipients are required to submit a copy of their semester grades and a detailed class schedule each semester to verify their continued eligibility for the scholarship. Recipients are eligible for scholarship funding for up to five  years from the date of their high school class graduation.

UPDATE: 8/18/09 Today at the Capitol House Speaker Clark announced "Earlier today, the majority legislative leadership and Governor Herbert instructed the Utah Board of Regents to fully fund the New Century Scholarship,”  See KCPW's article.

Chris Bleak, the Utah House Speaker's Chief of Staff, recently complied a briefing of the Regents and New Century Scholarship.  To learn more, click HERE>>  

Eligible Colleges for the Scholarship

• Brigham Young University>>
• Dixie State College>>
• Southern Utah University>>
• University of Utah>>
• Utah State University>>
• Utah Valley University>>
• Weber State University>>
• Westminster College>>
  

For More Info:

• New Century Scholarship Program Website>>

In Recent News:

• Funding for New Century and Regents scholarships to be restored>> KSL - August 18, 2009
• Utah Legislature Restores Full Funding for New Century Scholarship>>KCPW - August 18, 2009
• Lawmakers work to save New Century Scholarship>> Provo Daily Herald - August 18, 2009
• Lawmakers: Restore scholarship funding>> Salt Lake Tribune - August 13, 2009
• State reduces amounts on scholarships>> Salt Lake Tribune - August 5, 2009