Grant and Scholarship Programs in Alaska
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The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education administers a number of scholarship and grant programs to Alaska students. The state university system encompasses main campuses and satellite campuses throughout Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.
General Scholarships and Grants
The AlaskAdvantage Grant is one of the most accessible to students. This need-based program is state-funded and intended to provide additional assistance so that all Alaskans may earn a college degree. Eligible candidates must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in one of the state colleges or universities and be an Alaska resident. Apply by filling out the FAFSA. Award amounts are usually between $500 and $2000.
GEAR UP Alaska is a not for profit scholarship program designed to get kids kick-started for college as early as 6th grade. Students participating in the program are provided with an augmented course of study that assures they meet particular academic criteria. Scholarships are awarded to those undergraduate students who have graduated from a GEAR UP program, met all the criteria and are enrolling in a college program. Scholarships may be as much as $7000 per academic year. Students enrolled part-time may receive partial scholarships.
The federally funded Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships are awarded to Alaska's graduating seniors who have shown excellence in academic work and in such personal areas as leadership and volunteerism. Byrd Honors Scholars must already be accepted into an undergraduate college or university program anywhere in the United States. Eligible candidates will have earned top ACT/SAT scores, maintain superior GPAs and graduate at the top of their class. Each recipient gets a $1500 scholarship, renewable for another 3 years. Students enrolling in a U.S. military academy are not eligible.
Alaska is a participating member in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's (WICHE) exchange program. The organization is a consortium of 15 western states all committed to providing a collective higher education to regional residents. Undergraduates and graduates may attend partner colleges and universities for a fraction of the cost of traditional out of state tuition. Alaska offers four different WICHE Exchange programs:
- Western Undergraduate Exchange
- Western Regional Graduate Program which provides for exchanges for Masters and Doctoral level students
- Professional Student Exchange designed to offer expanded facilities for technical and vocational students
- WWAMI Medical Program designed to provide medical students access to all the best programs, labs and facilities within the region's colleges and university systems
The University of Alaska Scholars Program is one of the most attractive monetary programs. Designed to attract and reward the state's most outstanding and talented students, the scholars program has been proven effective at retaining many university graduates living, working and studying within their home state. This is the main goal of the program; keep talent at home and make Alaska stronger and more vital in the long run. Each year the Alaska Scholars Program awards nearly 1000 scholarships a year up to a whopping $11,000 per academic year. UA campuses are located throughout Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau.
The University of Alaska at Anchorage
The Edward and Anna Range Schmidt Charitable Trust is a special award administered through the UAA. The grant is designed to offer monetary assistance to financially and socially disadvantaged students studying environmental sciences. Native Alaskans have preference. Students must apply directly to the Trust.
The University of Alaska at Anchorage administers many scholarships and endowments most of which are departmental and subject specific.
Special Programs
The Alaska Teacher Education Loans are a two-fold program offered to Alaska students studying teaching. The goal of the program is to encourage students to enter careers as teachers as well as remain teaching within the state. Teaching students attending an Alaska college or university are eligible for low-interest student loans. Those that agree to exchange a specified number of years teaching in Alaska's rural public schools may qualify for loan forgiveness. Apply directly through the school for consideration. See more teaching related scholarships.
Go to the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education website, AlaskAdvantage, for further details many of the scholarships previously discussed.