This form allows students to participate in the Advanced Opportunities program for public school students (the “Program”) through the Idaho Department of Education (“the department”), as authorized by Idaho Code section 33-4602, Advanced Opportunities - Rulemaking. By signing this form, the student and parent/guardian agree to the conditions and provisions of the program. To be eligible, students must attend an Idaho public school and be enrolled in grades 7th-12th.  

Participants will be eligible for funds up to $4,625.00. Funds can be used towards: 
   

• Overload courses: a maximum of $225.00 per course taken in addition to a full credit load and outside of the regular school day. The overload course must be taken for high school credit, be offered by a provider accredited by Cognia, and be taught by a teacher certified in Idaho to teach the grade and subject area of the course. 
• Dual credits: a maximum of $75.00 per credit at any regionally accredited college or university. To qualify, the course must be a 100 level or higher college courses earning both high school and college credit.  
• Approved Examinations: Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program, Career-technical education examinations that lead to an industry-recognized certificate, license, or degree, and college entrance examinations and preliminary college entrance examinations including the SAT, the PSAT, the ACT, and other similar examinations identified by the department. 
• Approved Workforce Training courses: federally registered apprenticeships and eligible training courses. Eligible training courses must be approved and provided by an Idaho public technical college, lead to an industry recognized certificate, license, or degree, be required training for occupations in demand regionally, and are not available at a student’s high school.

Students should meet with their counselor to develop a career pathway plan that will help them maximize benefits of this program according to the student’s college and career interests. Intentional selection of coursework is a critical element of this program. Students who use funds for more than 15 college credits must receive post-secondary advising before accessing more funds. Dual credit and overload courses paid for by this Program must be transcribed on the student’s public high school transcript.  

The student and parent/guardian understand that they will be held responsible for tuition and fees incurred as a result of registering for courses or exams taken from a college/university or examination provider, and will be responsible for complying with policies and procedures set forth by the college/university or examination provider. The student and parent/guardian will be responsible for ensuring requests for funding through the Advanced Opportunities portal are made either by the student or by the school in which the student is enrolled.  

The department will send payment for courses to the public Idaho post-secondary institution or the student’s school district, public charter school, or Idaho tribal school. Eligibility for payment is subject to the deadlines and procedures set forth by local school district, public charter school, or Idaho tribal school in partnership with the college/university or examination provider. All payment requests must be submitted through the Advanced Opportunities portal according to school district, public charter school, or Idaho tribal school guidelines. The student and parent/guardian are responsible for any fees that are not processed through the portal.  

If a student fails to earn credit or successfully complete a course for which the Program has paid, the student must pay for and successfully earn credit or complete one (1) like course before the Program may pay any further course reimbursements for the student. If a student performs inadequately on an examination paid for by the Program, the local school district, public charter school, or Idaho tribal school will determine whether the student must pay for and successfully pass such exam to continue receiving state funding. The Program funds may not be used for repeated or remedial courses or exams, including college courses with similar outcomes to Advanced Placement.  

With the approval of the school, students can track expenditures of their allocation by creating an account in the Advanced Opportunities portal.  

By signing this Participation Form, the student and parent/guardian consent to the student’s school and any higher education institution at which the student has enrolled, or is seeking to enroll, to directly exchange any information required, including course and grade information, for the transcription of credit for courses completed using Advanced Opportunities funds without further need for the student to request and submit “official transcripts.” 

Further, the student and parent/guardian give consent to the student’s school to provide necessary information to the department for reimbursement.