what is idaho launch?
Idaho LAUNCH is a grant program that aims to prepare Idaho's students for Idaho's workforce needs. It provides students a one-time opportunity to have 80% of the tuition and fees at an eligible institution covered, up to a maximum amount of $8,000. It can be used for college degrees AND certificates and other workforce trainings. For Idaho LAUNCH, students will be going through Scholarship Idaho to apply.
Students can receive up to one-half of the initial grant award in the first year of a program. However, for programs that are less than 12 months in length, students can use the full awarded amount (80% of tuition and fees up to $8,000) in one year. Students do NOT have to complete FAFSA nor have a certain GPA to apply for Idaho LAUNCH. There is a focus on in-demand careers in Idaho. Another resource for identifying eligible LAUNCH programs is:
https://lmi.idaho.gov/data-tools/occupations-in-demand/
Applications opened on October 3rd, 2023. It is encouraged to apply within the first round, which ended on November 30th. The second round ended on February 15th, and the third and final round closes on April 15th. However, please note that there are extra eligibility requirements after the application is submitted. Students must complete a Career Pathway Plan. (Note: The State and our school calls students' 4 year high school plans “Career Pathway Plans,” but this is a different plan/document from what is needed for Idaho LAUNCH.)
Please click this link to create your Next Steps account and be connected to our school. You can also copy and paste the link: https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/login?token=CH1WazmjtE6m3EI8tbtFUozDSEjSCkUG
Students can receive up to one-half of the initial grant award in the first year of a program. However, for programs that are less than 12 months in length, students can use the full awarded amount (80% of tuition and fees up to $8,000) in one year. Students do NOT have to complete FAFSA nor have a certain GPA to apply for Idaho LAUNCH. There is a focus on in-demand careers in Idaho. Another resource for identifying eligible LAUNCH programs is:
https://lmi.idaho.gov/data-tools/occupations-in-demand/
Applications opened on October 3rd, 2023. It is encouraged to apply within the first round, which ended on November 30th. The second round ended on February 15th, and the third and final round closes on April 15th. However, please note that there are extra eligibility requirements after the application is submitted. Students must complete a Career Pathway Plan. (Note: The State and our school calls students' 4 year high school plans “Career Pathway Plans,” but this is a different plan/document from what is needed for Idaho LAUNCH.)
Please click this link to create your Next Steps account and be connected to our school. You can also copy and paste the link: https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/login?token=CH1WazmjtE6m3EI8tbtFUozDSEjSCkUG
Steps:
- Apply to the college/program of your choice via Apply Idaho. You will need to create your Apply Idaho account. Please reach out to your school counselor for your EDU ID if you have not already done so. Submit your application. NOTE: For your high school, choose INSPIRE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL (INSPIRE ACADEMIES, INC.) from the dropdown. This applies to both Inspire and Empower students.
- Apply to Idaho LAUNCH via Scholarship Idaho. You will need to create another account for Scholarship Idaho. We recommend that you use the same email address and password that you used for Apply Idaho. Submit your application. You may also want to check out the application guide here: https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/scholarship_application-guide
- Use the Next Steps link to easily connect to Inspire’s account. You will need to make a third account for Next Steps; you can use the same email and password that you used for the above two steps, but you will need to create the account for Next Steps. After making your account, you will see “Idaho LAUNCH Career Pathway Plan” as an option. There are four assignments in this bundle that will need to be completed by graduation in order to receive the LAUNCH grant. Detailed instructions on completing the Career Pathway Plan are found here.
Considerations:
- FAFSA completion is NOT required for Idaho LAUNCH. However, if you are applying to other state scholarships within Apply Idaho, those scholarships may require completion of FAFSA to be awarded the funds. For more FAFSA help, please visit: https://idahocaschoolcounseling.weebly.com/financial-aidfafsa.html
- You will need your social security for Apply Idaho and Scholarship Idaho. You may want to have this ready before starting your applications.
- During the LAUNCH application process, students will be required to pick a program (major or subject area of focus) and the school they plan to attend. While they are required to make selections now, these decisions can be revisited and updated by students later.
- Reach out to your school counselor if you need any help with these steps! Meeting in Zoom is the best way to meet for this type of situation so you can share your screen and it is like we are right there with you!
Recording for parents and students
A recording of Dr. Sherawn Reberry of the Idaho Workforce Development Council presenting on The Idaho LAUNCH Grant Program is available here. You must create an account (free) to view. Dr. Reberry covers:
- Idaho LAUNCH Overview
- Qualifications
- How to Apply
- Programs Available
- Resources
Important Dates:
- Idaho LAUNCH application opened: October 3
- Initial applications due: November 30 (it is recommended to apply within this window for priority)
- Contingent Award letters sent by: December 31, March 31, and May 31
- Deadline for first round contingent awards to be accepted: January 15
- 2nd round application deadline: February 15th
- 3rd and final round application deadline: April 15th
- Career Pathway Plan due: May 26th (last day of school for seniors)