Idaho’s current Opportunity Scholarship program is falling far short of meeting the needs of qualified college students, reports Idaho EdNews. A $5 million cash infusion, proposed by Gov. Butch Otter, would help bridge the gap, State Board of Education executive director Matt Freeman told legislative budget writers this morning. During his presentation to JFAC, Freeman said some high school students are being told not to bother applying for the state-funded scholarships because the money isn’t likely to be there for them.

EdNews reporter Kevin Richert writes that the scholarship provides up to $3,000 a year, for students who receive a share of the money. But according to the state board’s numbers, the money is scarce; justs 1,158 students got new scholarships this year, of 4,071 who were eligible. You can read Richert’s full report here.