- University of Utah on Tuesday announced an initiative to reward high school students with a 3.5 GPA.
- Dubbed "Utah Promise," the initiative will cover full tuition and fees for successful applicants to the school.
- School leaders call the new program "a transformative step for the University of Utah."
Affording the state’s flagship university just got a bit easier for high-achieving Utah high school students from middle- and working-class families.
On Tuesday morning, the University of Utah announced the creation of “Utah Promise” — a strategy designed to expand access to higher education across the Beehive State.
Beginning in the fall of next year, the University of Utah will guarantee “full coverage of tuition and mandatory fees with scholarship and grant funding for Utah resident undergraduate students whose family household income and assets are each less than $100,000 per year, as defined by federal financial aid guidelines,” according to a university release.
“This is a transformative step for the University of Utah,” said University of Utah President Taylor Randall. “No student should have to choose between pursuing a college education and their family’s financial security.
“Utah Promise ensures that higher education is within reach for thousands of talented students across our state.”
Utah Promise, according to the university release, underscores the university’s commitment to student affordability and success. “By ensuring that students from working- and middle-class families can attend without having to cover the burden of tuition costs, (Utah Promise) will help more Utahns pursue their degrees, graduate on time and thrive in their careers.”
So who’s eligible for ‘Utah Promise’?
Applicants for Utah Promise must be first-time, first-year undergraduate students who graduate from high school with an unweighted grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
The program covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to four years of full-time enrollment with scholarships and grants, according to the university release.
Eligible students must complete an application for admission by the university’s Dec. 1 priority deadline — and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Feb. 1.
Applying to the University of Utah is free for Utah residents.
Utah Promise program recipients must remain eligible for program benefits by continuing to submit the FAFSA each year, while maintaining qualifying income and asset levels.
Academically, Utah Promise recipients must also successfully complete a full-time university course load each semester while maintaining a cumulative 3.5 grade point average or higher.
Utah Promise, said University of Utah Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mitzi M. Montoya, is about “investing in the people and future” of the Beehive State.
“Utahns,” she said. “Deserve affordable, high-quality education that prepares them for their eventual careers.”
Utah Promise, Tuesday’s release added, builds on the university’s existing financial aid and scholarship programs — leveraging both public and private donor funding to eliminate tuition and fee costs for qualifying students.
“By reducing financial barriers, the program aims to improve college access and completion rates—particularly for first-generation students and families navigating higher education for the first time.”
Meanwhile, Utah Promise complements efforts to simplify and streamline the school’s merit scholarship process.
More information about Utah Promise can be found at the initiative’s web page.
University of Utah: Rewarding students for ‘life experiences’
Tuesday’s Utah Promise announcement marks the year’s second major announcement from the University of Utah designed to reward students for their efforts and achievements prior to enrollment.
During the fall 2025 semester, the university implemented its “Credit for Prior Learning and Service” initiative — offering academic credit to returned missionaries, active duty military and other eligible students who have performed humanitarian service in their communities and beyond.
The initiative was designed to help students save money — while accelerating their path to graduation.
University of Utah students can receive up to 12 hours — the equivalent of one semester — “for what they have already learned and put into practice across the globe, recognizing the value of prior learning experiences as an invaluable benefit to the university’s campus community — and rewarding students for it,” according to the school’s announcement.
