I'm a high school student in Utah and I want to do marine biology. what colleges could I go to that I can get the lab work and education and field experience I need? how can I get scholarships for good marine biology colleges out of state?

As a marine biologist, my advice is for you to go to the college of your choice and study biology. Do well. 3.8 GPA or higher. At the undergraduate level, there isn't much that a marine biology degree will get you. Your best options would be to teach high school biology with only a bachelors. Graduate level work is where all the fun stuff is at. There are a lot of great schools out there with phenomenal marine labs. Stanford, the Universities of California, Oregon State, Duke, and Virginia Tech are just a few that pop into mind. A high GPA in undergraduate coursework and a high GRE (entrance exam for graduate school) will guarantee you the school of your choice. After a couple of years in college, I would apply for the NSF REU program in the marine sciences. This summer program will place you in a marine lab for approximately 6-8 weeks in the summer and pay you a stipend. By the time you're a junior or senior in college, you'll know if the marine sciences are for you. Do well in school and don't slack off. Marine Biology is a very rewarding field, but it is getting increasingly harder to get in. Stay focused, as the sciences are one of the harder majors in college.

I was also a marine biologist and have a masters degree in marine biology (now I am a wetland scientist)  Becoming a marine biologist takes a lot of hard work like Teng stated.  I believe what got me to be a marine biologist is getting good experience.  Try to get as much experience as you can and start early.  Work at a Pet Store, intern during the summer (even in high school) and in college again intern in the summer... try Galveston marine lab, DisneyWorld in Orlando, Mote marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL, look for places in California, Oregon, Washington, etc.. along the coast that might have places where you can work (most likely unpaid).  Work hard, do good on your SATs and GREs, and take some good classes. As Teng stated, I recommend going to a college where you can get a good biology, zoology, or environmental science degree... Then apply to graduate school for marine biology.  Most people pursue marine biology and then don't become marine biologists.. its a good idea to get an education in something else.. i recommend environmental science or zoology (I did zoology).  Some good graduate schools for marine biology - UC Santa Cruz, Cal State and Monterey Bay (they have a marine mammal facility that's pretty cool - I visited it), Texas A&M Galveston, Eckerd College in St Pete,  UNC Wilmington.. I'm sure there are others.  I went to Nova Southeastern University in Dania Beach, FL for grad school.  I only went there because they didn't have a traditional thesis program like the others.  I went and visited UC Santa Cruz, Cal State, and UNC Wilmington and none of them would accept me since they didn't have "space" in their program.. You need to bring something to the program (Money) or great experience.. or they just have an opening... You can wait until there is an opening or find somewhere else to go.  I don't know of any scholarships since marine biology is a highly sought after program.  I got a scholarship for my undergrad (University of Florida) but it was only like $1500 through the Atlanta Gator Alumni Club.  Check for scholarships through your local alumni clubs for the schools you are thinking of attending.. like I did. I highly recommend getting as much experience as you can.. get internships now and while in college. Even then, getting an marine biology internship can be very hard. I got a great internship because I took upon myself to do independent research while an undergraduate at the University of Florida.  The research I did on Stenella skulls (measured skulls from various museums) made me stand out from the other applicants and I got an internship at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota working in the dolphin and manatee stranding department. I ended up carrying a pager and was on call for any stranding events. I performed necropsies and other things like that.  Even with this internship, it was really hard to get into graduate school for marine biology.  You are compete against others around the US (and world) with almost perfect GRE scores and tons more experience than I had.  I still went to graduate school (Nova Southeastern University in Dania Beach, FL) but did not go to a larger school with a traditional thesis program.  I ended up getting my masters in marine biology and was able to get a job at an engineering firm as a marine biologist.  I'd like to think my education and experience got me the job.. and it did help but ultimately my friend was working there and he helped me get the job.  I worked as a marine biologist for about 3 years. I primarily dove the coasts of Florida, running transects in the nearshore hard bottom areas primarily for beach nourishment projects.  It seems fun but it is hard work.. being underwater for 10 hours a day... even in the winter (the water can get around 60 degrees in the winter) and you have to work in some large swells/waves 3-4 feet at times (rare but it does happen).  I left that job and got a job as a wetland/environmental scientist and enjoy it very much. I still occaissionally get some coastal work.. but its primarily desk work and report writing.  Anyway, bottom line.. there are various routes in marine biology.. but its a tough field.  Get really good grades, good test scores, and lots of experience.. that is the best you can do.