Direct Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about the Idaho State Board of Education’s Direct Admissions initiative? We’re here to help.

What if I am a senior at an Idaho public high school and I didn’t receive a letter?

All seniors should receive a letter, but we’re not perfect! The State Board may have outdated contact information for you or your parents. Please call us at (208) 334-2270 and we’ll help you track down the information.

Do I have to choose only one school from my list to submit applications materials to?

No, you can apply to one, or all, of Idaho’s public colleges or universities through Apply Idaho, without paying an application fee.

What happens if I miss the June 30th deadline?

If you submit application materials after June 30th, your application will be evaluated based on the institution’s normal criteria and timeline, alongside all other applications they receive. This will mean that you would not be guaranteed a seat in next year’s freshman class.

How do I apply for scholarships and financial aid, so that I know I can afford college?

It’s important to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as practical.Thanks to a recent change, you can start filling out this form on October 1st of this year, rather than waiting for your parents to complete their 2019 taxes. You’ll need information from your parent’s 2018 tax returns, so they’ll need to help you gather the answers to the questions on the form.

You’ll also need to submit applications for financial aid and scholarships at the institutions to which you apply. The links for these applications can be found in the Idaho Schools Directory.

I still have a lot of questions about going on to college, what more can you tell me?

You’ve got options, which means you’ve probably got more questions. We put together this list of advice and information to address some of the most important (and common) questions that students wrestle with as you prepare for your next step.