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Make a Game Plan for Affording College

Student poses while writing in a notebook

While the cost of college has been rising steadily for years, Boise State remains committed to making affordable, quality education available to students seeking to improve their future. We want our Broncos to enter the world with more opportunity and less debt, which is why our in-state tuition is 20% less than the average public University.

We also have a wide variety of financial aid options available from scholarships, to loans, grants and paid learning opportunities. School and state aid reward students for academic achievement, and parents who meet certain income guidelines may qualify for aid as well. So, let’s dive in!

Video Transcript for Becoming a Bronco – Scholarships and Financial Aid

Automatic Scholarships

These are our favorite kinds of scholarships because, whether you’re a resident, non-resident, first-year or Transfer student, all you need to do in order to receive them is meet the eligibility requirement of a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA over 3.2 and submit your Boise State application materials by the posted deadline! We recommend that you take a moment to view all award amounts based on your GPA.

Check out Boise State’s Cost of Attendance calculator

Federal Aid

In order to be considered for need-based aid, you must submit the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and list the schools you want to receive it. The FAFSA automatically determines the need-based awards offered based on you or your family’s economic background. There are grants and loans available. Most people qualify for some need-based aid, and your financial circumstances could always change, so don’t hesitate to apply!

Other Scholarship Opportunities

These are typically awarded based on a student’s type or academic interest. The Boise State General Scholarship Application opens around Thanksgiving, and all Boise State general scholarships are a part of this application. We encourage you to apply by February 15th.

After you apply, you will receive an email confirmation to your Boise State email. Keep an eye out, you may receive more information about additional opportunities.

Learn more about how scholarships help students like Connor and Idara afford their education and achieve their dreams in this video!

On-Campus Jobs and Paid Internships

Keep in mind that scholarships aren’t the only way to fund your tuition! There are tons of part-time jobs on campus that are flexible for students and can work with your schedule. We also have programs such as Work U and Bronco Corps which pay students to work in a professional internship that helps them prepare to work in their chosen field. That’s right, paid training – it doesn’t get any better than that!


While it may seem like a lot of work, preparing for college early is worth it in the long run. Not only will taking these steps save you and your family money and stress, it will also lead to a more successful college experience. We’re so excited to embark on this journey with you and our incredible Admissions team is here to help every step of the way.

Learn more about Scholarships & Financial Aid