1. (1) To qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship, the applicant shall satisfy the following criteria:

   1. (a) graduate from a Utah high school with a minimum, non-weighted cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3;
   2. (b) complete one advanced Mathematics course;
   3. (c) complete one advanced Language Arts course;
   4. (d) complete one advanced Science course; and
   5. (e) complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the alternative financial form approved by the Board.
2. (2) Under Section 63G-12-402, verification of lawful presence in the United States is not required to be eligible for a scholarship under this rule.

3. (3) A student who graduated from a Utah high school in 2022 may alternatively qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship if the student satisfies the following criteria:

   1. (a) graduate from a Utah high school with a minimum, non-weighted GPA of 3.3;
   2. (b) complete four credits of English;
   3. (c) complete four credits of math, including one course of advanced math;
   4. (d) complete three credits of lab-based biology, chemistry, and physics;
   5. (e) complete two credits of world languages;
   6. (f) complete three credits of social science; and
   7. (g) complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the scholarship alternative financial form available.
4. (4) For purposes of Subsection R765-612-4(3)(c), advanced mathematics means any of the following courses: pre-calculus, calculus, statistics, AP calculus AB, AP calculus BC, AP statistics, college courses Math 1030 and higher, IB Math SL, HL, and Further Math.

5. (5) The following requirements apply only to a student who graduated from a Utah high school in 2022:

   1. (a) Each student must apply for the Opportunity Scholarship using the eligibility criteria in either Subsection R765-612-4(1) or Subsection R765-612-4(2) exclusively.
   2. (b) The student may not qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship by mixing courses from both sets of criteria in Subsections R765-612-4(1) and R765-612-4(2).
   3. (c) Because the courses listed in Subsections R765-612-4(1) and R765-612-4(2) are not always analogous, each student who graduated in 2022 shall confirm the courses the student is completing meet the eligibility requirements under the subsection through which the student elects to apply.

6. (6) Enrollment requirements include:

   1. (a) A recipient shall enroll at an eligible institution beginning with the fall semester after high school graduation.
   2. (b) A recipient who does not enroll in the fall semester after high school graduation must apply for a deferment, as outlined in Subsection R765-612-7(2), to retain eligibility for future payments.
   3. (c) A recipient must enroll full time, as defined by the institution, to receive a semester payment.
   4. (d) A recipient may enroll part-time at an eligible institution and retain eligibility for future payments but may not receive funding for that semester.
   5. (e) The institution that the student attends shall verify the recipient has met the enrollment requirements in Subsection R765-612-4(6) before disbursing payment.

KEY: Utah Board of Higher Education, Opportunity Scholarship Program, Student Financial Aid

Date of Last Change: March 23, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53H-11-402