Advanced Opportunities allow for students to individualize their high school learning plan to get a jump start on their future. These options include dual credit, workforce training, certification exams, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate programs.
The Advanced Opportunities program can provide funding for students who want to take advanced course work while attending an Idaho public school in grades 7-12.
Students interested in pursuing Advanced Opportunities may be overwhelmed with the application process and college-level terminology. Here are some helpful tips for success:
- Meet with the school counselor/college and career advisor
The school district will have Advanced Opportunities available locally. By meeting with a counselor, students can learn more about individual career development and academic planning. - Develop a career pathway plan
Having a plan sketched out is critical to effectively taking advantage of Advanced Opportunities. A learning plan should include high school courses needed for graduation, and could include courses such as dual credit, workforce training or other advanced course work. This should be a fluid document because long term goals are likely to change. Thoughtful and intentional planning will help ensure that the credits earned will apply toward the certificate or degree intended. - Contact Colleges/Universities
Idaho colleges have personnel available to assist you in planning for the transition between high school and college. Reach out to the dual credit offices across the state to learn about the options available for high school students. Do not feel limited to just local college, as many colleges/universities have both online and satellite campuses. - Create an Advanced Opportunities account
By creating an account, a student will be able to track where funds are, request payment for courses and exams, and view the status of payments. Accounts must be activated by their school before funds are allocated. Students should check with their local school district to learn more about the local application process for Advanced Opportunities funding.
Advanced Opportunities
The Advanced Opportunities program provides every student attending an Idaho public school $4,625 to use towards eligible expenses in grades 7-12 to explore, advance and gain experience. The funds can be used for a variety of opportunities:
- Overload Courses
An overload course is a high school level course that is taken in excess of the student’s regular school day. These courses are offered online, during the summertime, and before/after school. In the event that student incurs a cost for such courses, the Advanced Opportunities program can pay up to $225 for the cost of the course. Overload courses must be above and beyond the full course load offered by the student’s local school. - Dual Credits
Dual credit are college courses taken by high school students that are transcribed on both their high school and college transcripts. The Advanced Opportunities program can pay up to $75 per credit. Dual Credit courses can be taken online, in-person at the student's high school, or in some cases students can go directly to the college/university campus. More information is available on the "Dual Credit" page of the Idaho Department of Education's Parent Corner website. - Exams
Students can utilize Advanced Opportunities funds to pay for a variety of college-credit bearing or career-technical exams. These include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or Career & Technical Education (CTE) exams. - Workforce Training
Students can utilize Advanced Opportunities funds to pay for regionally approved workforce training courses at an Idaho public college. View approved workforce training courses for more details.
Challenging Courses
Many school districts provide options for students to demonstrate learning. In most cases, this means that a student would request to challenge a course by taking an exam or showing prior work. If the student meets the level of mastery set by the local school board for a given set of standards, the school can grant the student a high school credit without requiring the student take the course. Contact your local school district to learn more.
Early Graduation Scholarship
Early Graduation Scholarships are available for high school students who graduate at least one full year early. These scholarships are equal to 35% of the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for a given school year. This equates to roughly $2,400.
Scholarships can be used at Idaho public post-secondary institutions. The awarded amount will double for students who graduate two years early and will triple for students who graduate three years early. If a student elects not to attend a college or university immediately after high school, they will have to apply within two years of their high school graduation to utilize the scholarship before it expires.
Welcome to Advanced Opportunities! Click here for the first steps to navigating the Advanced Opportunities program. For specific or individualized training please reach out the Advanced Opportunities staff for support.
- Advanced Opportunities Support Videos
- How to Gain Administrative Access to AO
- Start of Semester
- Verification and Submissions
- Documents and Manuals
- Workforce Training Course Submission
- Course Provider User Manual
- District User Manual
- Driver Education Manual
- Student User Manual
- Workforce Training User Manual
- Forms
- CTE Exam Approval Form
Deadlines for Portal Submission
Term | Request Funding Window | Verification Deadline | Submission Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
Summer 2024 | April 8 – June 21, 2024 | August 23, 2024 | August 30, 2024 |
Fall 2024 / Trimester 1 |
April 8 – October 4, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | November 22, 2024 |
Spring 2025 | Nov 25, 2024 – March 7, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 16, 2025 May 23, 2025 (exams) |
Trimester 2 | Nov 25, 2024 - Feb 21, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 16, 2025 May 23, 2025 (exams) |
Trimester 3 | Nov 25, 2024 - April 4, 2025 | May 9, 2025 | May 16, 2025 May 23, 2025 (exams) |
* Student Access window may vary by district, please contact your school/district office for local dates.
HIGHLIGHTS
Resource Files
Getting Started
Approved Expenditures
- Approved Exams and Costs
- Approved Workforce Training Courses
- Dual Credit Program Overview
- Early Graduation Scholarship Student Information