Utah Valley University launched a merit scholarship Wednesday, Aug. 26, that could put up to $20,000 in tuition money into the hands of high schoolers who completed concurrent enrollment courses at UVU.

The Freshman Concurrent Enrollment Merit Scholarship pays $3,500 or $5,000 per year depending on how many UVU college credits a student earned before graduation. Both tiers renew for four years.

For families in Lehi, Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills, the practical takeaway: seniors who took UVU concurrent enrollment classes need only submit an official high school transcript to the admissions office by Feb. 1, 2027, to be considered. No separate application is required.

Two tiers, two credit thresholds

The scholarship page on UVU's website lays out the requirements:

CE Outstanding Merit Scholarship — $3,500/year (up to $14,000 total)

  • 15–29 UVU concurrent enrollment credits earned by July 1
  • High school GPA of 3.6 or higher (unweighted, not rounded)
  • Minimum 3.5 cumulative UVU GPA
  • Utah resident
  • Renewal requires a 3.2 cumulative GPA and 12 credits per semester

CE Exemplary Merit Scholarship — $5,000/year (up to $20,000 total)

  • 30 or more UVU concurrent enrollment credits earned by July 1
  • High school GPA of 3.6 or higher (unweighted, not rounded)
  • Minimum 3.5 cumulative UVU GPA
  • Utah resident
  • Renewal requires a 3.5 cumulative GPA and 15 credits per semester

Spencer Childs, UVU's senior director of concurrent enrollment, said the scholarship should motivate new students to participate in the program while also rewarding those already enrolled.

"We think it will make a real difference, not just for students who are already enrolled in concurrent enrollment courses, but for students who now have a reason to start," Childs said, according to Lehi Free Press.

All UVU concurrent enrollment students are automatically admitted as freshmen, so submitting the transcript is the only step needed. The scholarship can also be deferred for students who do not enroll immediately after high school.

The transcript deadline for the current cycle is Feb. 1, 2027. Full details are on UVU's scholarship page.