University of Idaho's National Merit Scholarship covers tuition and fees plus room and board for National Merit Finalists entering directly from high school who designate U of I as their first-choice school. The package is worth roughly $22,000 a year for Idaho residents for 2026-27, and out-of-state Finalists also receive a full non-resident tuition waiver on top of it. Finalists submit their National Merit letter to the Financial Aid Office and confirm U of I with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by May 31.
Eligibility
DemographicsRequires admission to University of Idaho as a first-year student entering directly from high school and National Merit Finalist status with U of I designated as first-choice school.
Applying
About $22,000/yr value for residents (2026-27); non-residents also receive a full non-resident tuition waiver (~$20,000).