In a groundbreaking move, the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) has unveiled the Admit Utah initiative that guarantees admission to at least one of the state’s 16 public higher education institutions for every high school student, regardless of their GPA. This new program is the first of its kind in Utah and aims to simplify and streamline the college admissions process for students and families across the state.
“They’re guaranteed admission into at least one [institution],” Trisha Dugovic, spokeswoman for USHE told KSL News. “That could be anywhere from a tech college up to the four-year universities,” she added.
The only GPA exceptions are the University of Utah and Utah State University, which still maintain specific GPA thresholds for admission. However, the other 14 public institutions, including community and technical colleges, will offer admission to any Utah high school student under the new initiative.
According to Admit Utah’s website, the primary goal is to serve as a central hub offering resources and guidance to students, families, and educators. This includes support for students who may be undecided about their future academic path. They also provide financial aid guidance, helping students explore various scholarship opportunities and easing the overall transition from high school to college.
“Admit Utah marks a significant milestone in our efforts to ensure that every Utah student has access to a quality college education,” Cydni Tetro, a member of the Utah Board of Higher Education, told KSL news. “This platform will provide students with even more clarity and simplicity in the college application process, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations with confidence.”
In conjunction with October’s College Application and Financial Aid Awareness Month, the launch of Admit Utah comes at an ideal time. High school seniors can now receive real-time admissions updates and tailored guidance as they complete their college applications. Additionally, the platform will assist students in filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine eligibility for federal financial aid such as grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
“This initiative paves the way for students to pursue their academic goals without unnecessary obstacles,” Geoffrey Landward, commissioner of higher education, told KSL news. “We firmly believe that every Utah student deserves the opportunity to succeed in college, and we are confident that ‘Admit Utah’ will be instrumental in making that a reality.”
As Admit Utah evolves, future updates will integrate artificial intelligence to further streamline the admissions process and provide real-time assistance to students.
