Resources for Students
To find additional resources for families, visit the Idaho Department of Education's Parent Corner website.
Idaho Department of Education Programs
Idaho Science & Aerospace Scholars »
Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars (ISAS) is a competitive program that allows high school juniors to take an engaging online NASA-developed course on Space Exploration through Idaho Digital Learning.
National Youth Science Camp »
Hosted in West Virginia, the National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a residential science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) program for high school juniors and seniors.
Holiday Card Contest »
The annual Idaho Department of Education Holiday Card Contest is an opportunity for Idaho students to showcase their artwork and for the state to recognize the importance of arts in education.
United States Senate Youth Program »
High school juniors & seniors selected for USSYP deepen their understanding of America’s political processes by visiting our nation's capital and meeting with high-level government officials.
Advanced Opportunities »
The Advanced Opportunities program provides every student attending an Idaho public school an allocation of $4,125 to use towards Advanced Opportunities (dual credit, workforce training, etc.) in grades 7-12.
U.S. Presidential Scholars »
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
Seal of Biliteracy »
The Idaho Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.
Migrant Student Leadership Institute »
The Migrant Student Leadership Institute is an opportunity for migrant students from across Idaho to explore college and career options, learn leadership skills and build relationships with mentors.
Driver Education »
The Idaho Driver Education program is dedicated to providing our students with the tools and skills necessary to become safer drivers.
College Starter Kit Program »
The Idaho Department of Education is offering an opportunity for graduating high school students in Idaho who are experiencing homelessness to receive a College Starter Kit.
Highlighted Resources
An initiative of the State Board of Education in partnership with Idaho’s employers, Next Steps Idaho is a comprehensive clearinghouse of resources and tools pertaining to education, training, and career exploration and development. Next Steps Idaho includes a variety of resources curated specifically for students in grades 8-12.
Next Steps Idaho curates a thorough list of scholarship opportunities available to students seeking collegiate and career technical postsecondary education. The Scholarship Discovery Center includes state-funded scholarships like the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, which awards up to $3,500 per academic year at an eligible Idaho college or university and is renewable for up to four years.
Idaho LAUNCH offers high school seniors a one-time opportunity to have 80% - up to $8,000 - of their tuition and fees paid for at an eligible institution. Students must enroll in apprenticeships, job training, community college, and university programs that lead to in-demand careers. With approximately 75 million dollars available for Idaho LAUNCH funding, this program offers between 9,000 and 10,000 awards per year.
Apply Idaho is a free, common application platform for up to 10 in-state colleges. Open October through June, this application is available to current-year Idaho high school seniors. Through Idaho Campus Choice, every Idaho high school senior is notified in the fall that upon graduation they’re guaranteed acceptance to specific state-funded colleges in Idaho. Once notified, all a student needs to do is complete an application at Apply Idaho, which opens the door to each of their listed colleges.
Idaho Youth Apprenticeship Program »
The Idaho Business for Education Youth Apprenticeship Program connects people ages 16-24 to training and careers in Idaho. The program provides education, work experience, and access to postsecondary education, training, and certifications.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) »
FAFSA is created and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Education, and is free to fill out and submit. Nearly all colleges and career schools use the FAFSA to determine how much aid to offer each student. Financial aid funds are disbursed along a sliding scale of need and merit; the FAFSA is the most comprehensive and secure method of confirming a student’s position on that scale. The federal government verifies the student’s information, but it is the colleges and/or programs that a student applies to that will use the info to dole out financial aid awards.
Workforce Readiness and Career Technical Education (CTE) Diploma »
To acknowledge that CTE programs enhance students’ high school experience and help prepare them for the demands of today’s employers regardless of their path, the 2021 Idaho State Legislature created the Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma. Juniors or seniors who complete a CTE pathway are eligible to earn the diploma if they meet the requirements.
Students who pursue STEM in high school can receive special recognition by earning Idaho’s STEM Diploma, administered by the Idaho STEM Action Center. The Idaho STEM diploma addresses industry needs while honoring graduating seniors who have pursued more rigorous STEM coursework. High school seniors in Idaho who earn a STEM Diploma are eligible to apply for one of ten, $3,000 scholarships if they will be attending a public post-secondary institution in Idaho
Idaho Division of Career Technical Education »
The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education (IDCTE) works to prepare Idaho youth and adults for high-skill, in-demand careers. Resources for students include Transition Coordinators - advisors who help students find the appropriate postsecondary CTE program - and information about student organizations like FFA, DECA, and BPA. A number of scholarship opportunities are also available through the Idaho Career Technical Education Foundation.
Additional Opportunities & Resources
- Idaho Power Scholarships - Grades 11-12 | Submissions usually due early February
- Idaho Latino Scholarship Foundation Scholarship - High school & undergraduate students | Applications usually close early March
- Doodle for Google Art Competition - Grades K-12 | Submissions usually close early March
- Idaho Science & Engineering Fairs - Grades 9-12 | Opens in spring
- Idaho State Police Leadership Education and Development Academy (ILEAD) - Ages 15-17 | Applications usually due early April
- Aviation Art Contest - Idaho Transportation Department Division of Aeronautics - Ages 5-18 | Submissions usually due early April
- KNOW Vape Video Contest for Idaho Teens - Ages 13-18 | Applications usually due early April
- National School Bus Safety Poster Contest - Grades K-8 | Application usually due early April
- Celebrate the West Art Competition - Grades 9-12 | Submissions usually due mid April
- Summer Design Days at University of Idaho - Art & Design Workshops - High School Students | Application usually due late May
- QuestBridge Full Four-year Scholarship - High School Seniors | Application usually due late September
- Prudential Emerging Visionaries - Ages 14-18 | Submissions usually due early November
- Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards - Rising high school seniors | Submissions usually due mid November
- IETA Girls: College-Bound Scholarship - High School Seniors | Applications usually close early December
- Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship and Internship - High School Seniors | Applications usually close mid December
- Hour of Code | Computer Science Education Week - All ages | First week of December
To have a resource added to this page, reach out to tkleffner@sde.idaho.gov.