The Idaho Community Foundation announced on June 30, 2026, that it has awarded $55,043 in grants to four Idaho higher education institutions through its Student Loan Fund of Idaho Education Fund, providing emergency financial assistance to students close to completing their degrees.
Who Received the Funds
Four institutions received grants from the 2026 distribution. Boise State University Foundation received the largest share at $14,543. The College of Eastern Idaho Foundation, College of Western Idaho Foundation, and University of Idaho Foundation each received $13,500.
The program targets accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities across Idaho that have established processes to identify students within one academic year of graduation who are facing sudden financial hardship. The grants give those institutions resources to act quickly before a student drops out.
What the Money Can Cover
Eligible expenses under the fund are broad by design. Institutions can use the money to help students cover tuition and fees, housing, textbooks and supplies, transportation, medical or dental costs, food, and child care — essentially any critical expense that might force a near-graduate to walk away from their education.
Kent Fogg, director of impact for Idaho Community Foundation, described the fund’s purpose as bridging the gap when life intervenes at the worst moment. “When an unexpected expense like a car repair, medical bill or loss of family support threatens a student’s ability to stay enrolled, this fund helps institutions step in at a critical moment,” Fogg said.
The approach reflects a broader recognition that many Idaho students who leave school before finishing do so not because of academic struggles, but because of short-term financial crises that overwhelm them during their final stretch. By routing emergency aid through the colleges themselves, the fund allows financial aid staff and advisers who already know a student’s situation to direct assistance efficiently.
North Idaho students pursuing higher education at institutions like the University of Idaho — one of the four grant recipients — stand to benefit directly. The University of Idaho Foundation’s $13,500 share joins a network of campus-level resources aimed at keeping academically qualified students on track through graduation.
Idaho Community Foundation administers the Student Loan Fund of Idaho Education Fund as part of its broader mission to strengthen communities across the state through targeted philanthropy. The foundation works with donors, nonprofits, and institutions statewide to address gaps in education, social services, and civic life.
What Comes Next
The four recipient institutions are expected to distribute the emergency aid funds during the upcoming academic year to eligible students identified by campus financial aid offices. Students interested in emergency assistance should contact their institution’s financial aid office directly to learn about eligibility requirements and the application process at their specific school.