BOISE, Idaho — State leaders announced Thursday more students than expected are applying for the Idaho LAUNCH program.
The program, passed last legislative session, offers graduating high school students looking to enter a high-demand industry with 50 or more annual job openings, either 80% of their tuition or up to $8,000 in grants.
The Idaho Workforce Development Council, an office under the governor, runs the program. Sherawn Reberry, communications and program manager, said more than 12,000 high school seniors have submitted or started applications for the program.
Initially, Reberry said they thought about 7 to 9,000 seniors would apply.
"We still have about three and a half months where the application is still open," she said. "It's very exciting."
Workforce Council data shows the Magic Valley and Eastern Idaho have the highest number of applicants. It also shows engineering, nursing and health care technician programs are the top three programs students are interested in.
The Governor's Office said they plan on partnering with more than 70 education providers around Idaho, including 4-year universities, community colleges, truck-driving schools and a lineman college.
Gov. Brad Little said the interest in LAUNCH "truly blew us away."
"We've always provided support for the careers that require a four-year university degree, but LAUNCH expanded that support to include skilled workers. These are lucrative, rewarding jobs that make our world go 'round. We don't want to import workers from other places. We want IDAHO kids to STAY in IDAHO," he said in a statement.
Reberry said they are unsure how many applicants will get into the program. They hope about 9,000, which could cost about $75 million.
However, she said those numbers will be decided after lawmakers allocate money toward the program during the upcoming legislative session.
Students have until April 15 to apply.
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