Harry L. Bettis Scholarship for rural Idaho students

Up to $5,000 to help rural Idaho students pay for college

The Harry L. Bettis Scholarship provides up to $5,000 per year to help students from eligible rural Idaho high schools pay for their education.

The scholarship can help cover your full cost of attendance, including living expenses, books and transportation. It is awarded after other grants and scholarships are applied but before student loans, helping you cover college expenses and potentially borrow less.

To be considered, you must be admitted to University of Idaho and demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA. More than 130 Vandals received the scholarship in 2026-27.

Apply for admission and submit your FAFSA early to be considered for the next award year.

Honoring the Legacy of Harry L. Bettis

Harry L. Bettis (1934-2025) was a lifelong Idaho cattle rancher and a dedicated advocate for higher education. He believed in expanding educational opportunities for Idahoans, particularly students from rural communities and those who would be the first in their families to attend college.

Harry and his family shared a longstanding commitment to University of Idaho, supporting campus facilities and expanding scholarship opportunities for students. His enthusiasm for the university and its mission was recognized in 2014 when U of I awarded him an honorary degree.

The Harry L. Bettis Scholarship carries that legacy forward, helping rural Idaho students pursue a college education and build a future of their own, one Vandal at a time.

Harry L. Bettis Scholarship eligibility requirements

For the 2027-28 award year, you’re eligible if you:

Graduated, or will graduate, from a rural Idaho high school. See if your school is eligible below.
Are admitted to U of I as an undergraduate, graduate or law student, and enrolled in at least 12 credits each semester.
Have financial need, as determined by the FAFSA. File a FAFSA today.

Funds are first-come, first-served. Apply for admission and the complete the FAFSA early to be considered.

Which Idaho high schools qualify?

More than 200 rural high schools across all 44 Idaho counties are eligible for the Harry L. Bettis Scholarship. Check the list below to see if your high school qualifies.

Eligible high schools

Aberdeen High School, Aberdeen
Alzar School, Cascade
American Falls Academy, American Falls
American Falls High School, American Falls
American Heritage Academy, Burley
Apostolic Christian Training School, Kamiah
Arts West School, Eagle
Basin High School, Driggs
Bear Lake High School, Montpelier
Bennett Mountain High School, Mountain Home
Bingham Academy (Idaho STEM Academy), Blackfoot
Blackfoot High School, Blackfoot
Bliss High School, Bliss
Bonners Ferry High School, Bonners Ferry
Boulder Creek Academy, Bonners Ferry
Buhl Senior High School, Buhl
Burley Christian Academy, Burley
Burley High School, Burley
Butte County High School, Arco
Camas County High School, Fairfield
Cambridge High School, Cambridge
Carey High School, Carey
Caribou High School, Soda Springs
Cascade Junior-Senior High School, Cascade
Cassia High School, Burley
Castleford High School, Castleford
Challis High School, Challis
Christian Center School, Hayden
Clark County High School, Spencer
Clark Fork Junior-Senior High School, Clark Fork
Clear Lakes Christian Academy, Buhl
Clearwater Valley High School, Kooskia
Clover Creek High School, Montpelier
CLRC Online Academy, Naples
Community School, Sun Valley
Cornerstone High School, Hazelton
Cossa Academy, Wilder
Council Christian Academy, Council
Council High School, Council
Cross Roads Christian Academy, Rathdrum
CTE Prep School, Soda Springs
Culdesac High School, Culdesac
Deary High School, Deary
Declo High School, Declo
Dietrich High School, Dietrich
Eagle Academy, Eagle
Eagle High School, Eagle
Ekklesia Christian School, Eagle
Elk Mountain Academy, Clark Fork
Emmett High School, Emmett
Ernest Hemingway STEAM School, Ketchum
Falls City Academy, Jerome
Filer High School, Filer
Firth Senior High School, Firth
Forrest M Bird Charter School, Sandpoint
Foundations School, Naples
Franklin County High School, Preston
Fruitland High School, Fruitland
Fruitland Preparatory Academy, Fruitland
Garden Valley High School, Garden Valley
Gem Prep Online, Deary
Genesee School, Genesee
Glenns Ferry High School, Glenns Ferry
Gooding Accelerated Learning Center, Gooding
Gooding High School, Gooding
Grace Bible Academy, Hayden
Grace High School, Grace
Grangeville High School, Grangeville
Greenleaf Friends Academy, Greenleaf
Hagerman Junior-Senior High School, Hagerman
Hall International Academy, Eagle
Hansen High School, Hansen
Heartland High School, McCall
High Desert, Shoshone
Highland Senior High School, Craigmont
Hillcrest High School, Ammon
Homedale Christian School, Homedale
Homedale High School, Homedale
Horseshoe Bend Alternative School, Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend High School, Horseshoe Bend
House of the Lord Christian Academy, Oldtown
Idaho City High School, Idaho City
Idaho Fine Arts Academy, Eagle
Idaho Future Ready Academy, Wilder
Idaho Home Learning Academy, Malad City
Idaho Leadership Academy, Pingree
Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind, Gooding
Idaho Youth Challenge Academy, Pierce
Independence Alternative High School, Blackfoot
Indianhead Academy High School, Weiser
Initial Point High School, Kuna
Innovate Academy Preparatory School, Eagle
Jefferson High School, Menan
Jefferson Montessori School, Rigby
Jerome Academy, Jerome
Jerome High School, Jerome
Kamiah Bible Academy, Kamiah
Kamiah High School, Kamiah
Kellogg High School, Kellogg
Kendrick Senior High School, Kendrick
Kimberly High School, Kimberly
Kootenai Junior-Senior High School, Harrison
Kuna High School, Kuna
Lake Pend Oreille High School, Sandpoint
Lakeland High School, Rathdrum
Lakeside High School, Plummer
Lapwai High School, Lapwai
Leadore High School, Leadore
Lewiston Bible Missionary Academy, Lewiston
Lewiston High School, Lewiston
Liberty Christian Academy, Jerome
Logos Online School, Moscow
Logos School, Moscow
Mackay Junior-Senior High School, Mackay
Magic Valley Christian High School, Jerome
Malad High School, Malad City
Marsh Valley High School, Arimo
Marsing High School, Marsing
McCall-Donnelly High School, McCall
Meadows Valley High School, New Meadows
Melba Junior-Senior High School, Melba
Middleton Academy, Middleton
Middleton High School, Middleton
Midvale Alternative School, Midvale
Midvale Senior High School, Midvale
Mini-Cassia Online Learning Academy, Burley
Minico Senior High School, Rupert
Montrose Academy, Moscow
Moscow Senior High School, Moscow
Mount Harrison Junior-Senior High School, Heyburn
Mountain Home High School, Mountain Home
Mountain View Alternative High School, Rathdrum
Mullan Junior-Senior High School, Mullan
Murtaugh High School, Murtaugh
New Life Academy, Payette
New Life Christian School, Lewiston
New Plymouth High School, New Plymouth
Nezperce High School, Nezperce
North Fork School, McCall
North Fremont High School, Ashton
North Gem High School, Bancroft
North Idaho Christian High School, Hayden Lake
North Idaho STEM Charter Academy, Rathdrum
North Star Charter School, Eagle
North Valley Academy, Gooding
Northwest Academy, Naples
Notus Junior-Senior High School, Notus
Novitas Academy, Emmett
Oakley High School, Oakley
Oneida High School, Malad City
Orofino High School, Orofino
Paradise Creek Regional High School, Moscow
Parma Senior High School, Parma
Patriot Center, Emmett
Payette Academy, Payette
Payette High School, Payette
Payette River Technical Academy, Emmett
Potlatch Junior-Senior High School, Potlatch
Prairie High School, Cottonwood
Preston High School, Preston
Priest River Education Program, Priest River
Priest River Lamanna High School, Priest River
Project PATCH School, Garden Valley
Raft River High School, Malta
Renaissance Charter School, Moscow
Richard McKenna Charter High School, Mountain Home
Richard McKenna Charter School Online Alternative, Mountain Home
Richard McKenna Charter School Onsite, Mountain Home
Richfield High School, Richfield
Rigby High School, Rigby
Rimrock Junior-Senior High School, Bruneau
Ririe High School, Ririe
Rise Charter School, Kimberly
River City Christian School, Lewiston
River of Life Christian School, Payette
Riverside High School, Bonners Ferry
Rockland Junior-Senior High School, Rockland
Sage School, Hailey
Salmon Alternative High School, Salmon
Salmon High School, Salmon
Salmon River High School, Riggins
Sandpoint High School, Sandpoint
Shelley High School, Shelley
Shelley Work Based Academy, Shelley
Shoshone High School, Shoshone
Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School, Fort Hall
Silver Creek High School, Hailey
Silver Valley Alternative School, Wallace
Snake River High School, Blackfoot
Snake River Opportunities High School, Blackfoot
Soda Springs High School, Soda Springs
South Fremont High School, St. Anthony
South Fremont High School at 5C, St. Anthony
Southside Christian School, Cocolalla
St. John Bosco Academy, Cottonwood
St. Maries Community Education Center, St. Maries
St. Maries High School, St. Maries
Sugar Salem Online K-12, Sugar City
Sugar-Salem High School, Sugar City
Tammany Alternative High School, Lewiston
Teton Christian Academy, Driggs
Teton High School, Driggs
Timber Ridge Preparatory School For Girls, Clark Fork
Timberlake Senior High School, Spirit Lake
Timberline High School, Weippe
Treasure Valley Classical Academy, Fruitland
Troy Junior-Senior High School, Troy
True North Prep, Emmett
Upper Carmen Charter High School, Carmen
Valley High School, Hazelton
Valley View Alternative High School, Sugar City
Wakapa Academy, Buhl
Wallace Junior Senior High School, Wallace
Weiser High School, Weiser
Wendell High School, Wendell
West Jefferson High School, Terreton
West Side High School, Dayton
Wilder High School, Wilder
Wisdom Ranch School, Arco
Wood River High School, Hailey
Worley High School, Worley

How to apply for the Harry L. Bettis Scholarship

See if you attend an eligible rural Idaho high school
Look up your high school in the list above. If it’s there, you’re on your way!

Search eligible high schools
Apply for admission
There’s no separate scholarship application for the Harry L. Bettis Scholarship. If you are new to U of I, being admitted is your first step.

Apply now to U of I
Submit your 2027-28 FAFSA
Submit your FAFSA, list University of Idaho (federal school code 001626) and file early for maximum consideration. If you’re selected for verification, complete it quickly so we can finalize your awards. Once admitted to U of I and we receive a valid FAFSA, you’re automatically considered for the Harry L. Bettis scholarship.

Start your 2027-28 FAFSA
Apply for Idaho state aid
Undergraduate students should apply for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship or the Idaho LAUNCH grant through Scholarship Idaho (nextsteps.idaho.gov) before the state deadline. State awards are applied before the Bettis Scholarship and increase your total aid.

Go to Next Steps Idaho

Helpful resources

Harry L. Bettis Scholarship FAQs

Does the Bettis Scholarship replace my Go Idaho scholarship or other aid?

No. Your other grants and scholarships are applied first and the Bettis Scholarship is added on top of them, up to a maximum of $5,000, based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Why might I receive less than $5,000?

Your award depends on your remaining financial need after other grants and scholarships are applied. If your remaining need is less than $5,000, your award may be smaller. If your financial need is already fully met, you may not receive an award. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can the scholarship help with living expenses and other costs?

Yes. The scholarship can help cover your total cost of attendance, not just tuition. Eligible expenses may include tuition, costs and fees for books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, living expenses, miscellaneous personal expenses or other expenses included within the definition of “cost of attendance”. Financial aid is applied to charges on your student account first, with any remaining credit handled according to the university's refund procedures.

What if I receive an outside scholarship (excluding State of Idaho scholarships)?

Outside scholarships will not impact the Bettis Scholarship as long as total aid does not exceed the cost of attendance. Be sure to let Student Financial Aid Services know about any outside scholarships you receive. State of Idaho scholarships are not considered outside scholarships.

Do I need to pay it back?

No. Scholarships don’t need to be repaid. Your award may be adjusted if your enrollment, cost of attendance or other aid changes.

What if my situation is unique, like living in a rural area but attending a high school that isn’t listed, or finishing high school online, through homeschool, or with a GED?

U of I recognizes students may be in one of these unique situations. After admission and completing your FAFSA, reach out to Student Financial Aid Services at finaid@uidaho.edu for more information.

Is the scholarship renewable?

This scholarship may be renewed depending upon academic performance and financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Questions? We’re here to help!

Office of Undergraduate Admissions: 208-885-6326 | futurevandals@uidaho.edu
Student Financial Aid Services: 208-885-6312 | finaid@uidaho.edu