LAUNCH grants go live October 3, sign up now for alerts

September 21, 2023

The application window for the Idaho LAUNCH grants opens October 3, and Idahoans can sign up now at https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch to get notified when high school seniors are able to apply. Idaho LAUNCH is an education and training grant program that was expanded this year to provide graduating high school seniors a one-time opportunity to have 80-percent of their tuition and fees paid for after high school, up to $8,000.

Students must enroll in apprenticeships, job training, community college, and university programs that lead to in-demand careers. With approximately $75 million available for Idaho LAUNCH funding, it is possible for the program to offer awards to 9,000 -10,000 Idaho graduating seniors in 2024.

“LAUNCH is a game changer for our young Idahoans," governor Brad Little said. "Through LAUNCH, Idaho is recognizing that hundreds of career paths after high school deserve our support by offering up to $8,000 to cover the costs of an education or training program that leads to an in-demand career. These are ‘real world’ jobs Idaho employers desperately need to fill.”

High school seniors or parents of high school seniors should not delay in applying when the application window opens Oct. 3 because there is only enough funding to offer awards to about half of Idaho’s seniors.

To qualify for a LAUNCH grant, students must:
  • Be a graduate (class of 2024) from an Idaho high school, home school, or GED
  • Be an Idaho resident
  • Be enrolled in or have applied to an eligible Idaho institution
  • Begin enrollment by fall semester after graduation
  • Complete a Career Pathway Plan at https://nextsteps.idaho.gov.

Governor Little promoted the upcoming application opening for LAUNCH with legislators and employers today at the College of Western Idaho in Nampa. Working together, Governor Little and the Idaho Legislature passed LAUNCH earlier this year with broad support from Idahoans.