State boosts help for needy college-bound students

Idaho took a step in making college more affordable for lower income students. The Idaho Legislature approved $10 million for the Governor's Opportunity Scholarship fund. Described as a "last dollars" program, the new scholarship is open to Idaho students who have already applied for federal aid, and who have also secured a portion of their college financing from themselves or their families. "Helping students who can't afford to go to college, and helping Idaho build a well educated workforce were driving forces behind the scholarship's creation," said Dana Kelly, State Board of Education Student Affairs Program Manager. According to Kelly, approximately 700 of the Opportunity Scholarships will be awarded each year. To apply for the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship, students must apply for Federal Financial Aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.FAFSA.ED.GOV, and then apply for the Opportunity Scholarship at http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/ scholarships/index.asp