Idaho Board of Education backs scholarship program

POCATELLO, Idaho – To boost the state’s lagging financial aid programs, the state Board of Education has voted to back an annual $10 million need-based college scholarship program when the Legislature convenes in January.

The board unanimously approved the plan to propose new scholarship legislation at its meeting here Thursday, but some members said the measure seemed too vague to pass muster with skeptical lawmakers.

Board member Rod Lewis said he wants more details, such as how the scholarships would be administered and how much money students could receive, before the idea is presented to lawmakers.

“What we’re doing seems more like a request for money for a concept,” Lewis was quoted as saying in an Idaho State Journal report Friday. “I’m in complete agreement with the concept, but I’m struggling to understand the use of funds and whether $10 million is adequate.”

The board formed a scholarship task force this summer, which made recommendations Thursday.

Idaho has no need-based financial aid program of its own, although state money is used to match need-based federal grants, said board spokeswoman Luci Willits. The state pays an average $17 per college student for aid based on financial need, compared to $509 in Washington state and a national average of $387, Willits said.

Idaho does offer 8,800 merit-based scholarships of $500 each and other more generous grants, but all are solely based on academic performance.

Under the new proposal, called the Opportunity Scholarship Program, students could receive as much as $3,000 per year for college. To become eligible, students would have to contribute several thousand dollars of their own money through work or other financial aid.

Willits said the new scholarships could go a long way toward closing the college gap in Idaho. The state has one of the nation’s highest high school graduation rates and one of the lowest for students who proceed to college.

Willits said the scholarships also are aimed at reversing enrollment declines at the University of Idaho and Idaho State University.

“If we don’t start now, we’re going to see some more dramatic decreases,” she said.

Under the proposed legislation, more than 650 students could receive financial assistance in the program’s first year. In addition to state money, the scholarship fund could accept endowments and private donations.

The money would go to high school students whose family income qualifies them for free and reduced lunches in public school, and to low-income adults hoping to further their educations.

“This is not all things to all people,” board member Sue Thilo said. “It’s a way to phase in commitment.”