Alaska

Alaska Scholarships and Grants

Alaska scholarships and grants make college an attainable goals. If you’re worried about how to pay for higher education, check out Alaska scholarships and grants. Free money is available if you make the effort to find it! Are you an Alaska resident or lured to school in Alaska by tales of snow, Jewel and Sarah Palin? There are Alaska scholarships and grants to help pay for tuition, books and expenses.

GEAR UP

Are you an Alaska student ready to GEAR UP for an Alaska scholarship of up to $7,000 per year for up to four years? GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. The program was initiated in 1999. A scholarship fund was set up and is administered by ACPE (Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education).

GEAR UP includes 14 districts serving 62 schools with a poverty rate of at least 50 percent. Students must have participated in GEAR UP programs in grades 6, 7 and 8 to qualify for a scholarship. Students must also meet academic milestones set by their district to get GEAR UP money. Participating district in Alaska include:

• Alaska Gateway School District
• Aleutians East Borough School District
• Anchorage School District
• Craig City School District
• Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
• Juneau Borough School District
• Kashunamiut School District
• Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District
• Kodiak Island Borough School District
• Lower Kuskokwim School District
• Lower Yukon School District
• Southeast Island School District
• St. Mary’s School District

For more information about GEAR UP Alaska scholarships, contact ACPE at (907) 465-6776 or visit www.akadvantage.alaska.gov for additional details.

Workforce Shortages

Workforce shortages mean more qualified graduates are needed to fill available positions. Choosing such as career means you have a greater chance of being hired once you complete your higher education. The AlaskAdvantage Education Grant Program provided financial assistance to eligible Alaska students.

To apply for an AlaskAdvantage Education Grant, you must be an Alaska student attending a qualified postsecondary educational institution in Alaska. You must be enrolled in a qualified workforce shortage program and show academic excellence in preparing for college (such as outstanding ACT or SAT scores.)

To find out more, visit the The AlaskAdvantage Educational Grant Program at www.akadvantage.alaska.gov or call ACPE customer service at 1-800-441-2962.

Military

If you a senior living in Anchorage, graduating high school and the daughter or son of an active duty or retired active duty military member check out the Elmendorf Officers’ Spouses’ Organization Scholarship. There may be free money waiting for you if you reside anywhere from Wasilla to Girdwood, even if your parents are divorced. Rank is not considered. To find out more, visit Elmendorf Officers’ Spouses’ Organization Scholarship at http://www.elmendorfoso.com/scholarships.htm.

Top Scholars

Are you an Alaska high school student in the top ten percent of your graduating class? If you’re in the top ten percent by the end of your junior year, check out the University of Alaska Scholars award. This scholarship is for Alaska residents who want to attend the University of Alaska. Successful applicants receive a cool $11,000 scholarship. Payouts are $1,375 per semester for up to eight semesters. You must be enrolled full-time at the University of Alaska with a GPA of at least 2.5 to receive the ongoing scholarship payments. For more information, visit University of Alaska Scholars Program at http://www.alaska.edu/scholars/overview/.

Native

The CIRI Foundation awards up to $5,000 each year to undergraduate or graduate students who are Alaska residents. The CIRI foundation also offers a Eklutna, Inc. Scholarship and Grant program for eligible Alaska natives who are enrollees or decedents of enrollees of Eklutna, Inc. For more information including deadlines and application forms, visit the CIRI Foundation at http://www.thecirifoundation.org/.

Assorted

Whether you are an Alaska resident or attending an Alaska school, there are an assortment of Alaska scholarships you might qualify for:

• Students studying geology and related subjects should consider the Alaska Geological Society Scholarship. The Alaska Geological Society awards different amounts to qualified students each spring. Past applicants or awardees are encouraged to apply again. The decision is based on individual merit. Visit www.alaskageology.org/scholarships.htm for details about current scholarships offered.
• Alaska residents and non-residents should review NACA scholarship offerings. NACA Foundation started in 1982 to develop and offer educational programs and services for university and college students, staff and others working in the student activities field. Examples of NACA scholarships include the Lori Rhett Memorial Scholarship, awarding $250 to $300 to an undergrad or grad attending Alaska or other state college. Visit the NACA scholarship page at www.naca.org/SCHOLARSHIPS/Pages/ScholarshipListings.aspx for Alaska scholarship listings with complete details.
• Graduates and undergraduates attending Alaska or other state colleges can receive $5,000 each year from the ARC of Washington Trust Fund Stipend Program at www.arcwa.org.