Alaska Scholarships & Grants for 2025 - 2026

Overview of Alaska Scholarships & Grants

Alaska offers a wide range of scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs for both in-state and out-of-state students. This guide covers automatic merit scholarships from major universities, full-ride opportunities, statewide grants, and private-school awards. Whether you’re a high school senior, current college student, or parent planning ahead, you’ll find reliable information to help make higher education in Alaska more affordable.

Look at the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) and University of Alaska scholarships across the UA system.

What Scholarships Are Available for Alaska Students?

Students in Alaska have access to a variety of scholarships and financial aid programs offered by the state, local organizations, Alaska Native corporations, and higher education institutions. These scholarships support students attending college in-state or, in some cases, out-of-state, and are designed to encourage academic achievement and reduce financial barriers to higher education.

Key scholarship programs for Alaska students include:

• Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) – A merit-based scholarship awarded to high school graduates who complete a rigorous high school curriculum, maintain a qualifying GPA, and earn competitive scores on the ACT, SAT, or WorkKeys. Awards range from $2,378 to $4,755 per year depending on the student’s academic level.
• Alaska Education Grant (AEG) – A need-based grant for low- to moderate-income students attending eligible postsecondary institutions in Alaska. Grant amounts range from $500 to $4,000 per year based on financial need and funding availability.
• UA Scholars Program – Recognizes the top 10% of graduates from every Alaska high school and awards them a $12,000 scholarship to attend any campus within the University of Alaska system. This award encourages Alaska’s highest-performing students to pursue higher education in-state.

In addition to these statewide programs, many regional and local scholarships are available. Examples include:

• Rasmuson Foundation Scholarships – Offers support to students pursuing education and training in various fields.
• Alaska Native Corporation Scholarships – Students affiliated with corporations such as Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), Doyon, NANA, and others may qualify for educational grants and scholarships specifically for Alaska Native students.
• Alaska Community Foundation Scholarships – Manages dozens of donor-funded scholarship opportunities for students based on field of study, location, and background.

How Much Money Can You Receive Per Year From the Alaska Education Grant?

The Alaska Education Grant (AEG) is a need-based financial aid program designed to assist low-income undergraduate students attending eligible institutions within Alaska. Award amounts vary depending on financial need, cost of attendance, and available state funding.

Eligible students may receive between $500 and $4,000 per academic year. Priority is given to students with the greatest financial need as determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To qualify for the Alaska Education Grant, students must:

• Be Alaska residents
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA data
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible Alaska college or university

Because funding is limited, students are encouraged to submit the FAFSA as early as possible after October 1 each year. Meeting the priority deadline increases the chance of receiving the maximum grant amount.

What Is the Top 10% Scholarship in Alaska?

The top 10% scholarship in Alaska refers to awards like the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS). High school students graduating in the top 10% of their class with strong GPAs, standardized test scores, and completion of rigorous coursework may qualify for APS, which can provide up to $4,755 annually for college tuition and fees.

What Is the Alaska Pell Grant?

The Alaska Pell Grant is a federal grant available to low-income students pursuing higher education in Alaska. Students qualify by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While not state-specific, Alaska residents can use Pell Grants at eligible colleges and universities in the state.

What Scholarships Are Available for International Students in Alaska?

International students in Alaska can apply for scholarships such as the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) International Student Scholarship and the UA Scholars Program (if they graduated from an Alaska high school). Private scholarships like the P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship are also available for non-resident students.

What Are Alaska Native Scholarships?

Alaska Native scholarships are financial aid programs specifically designed to support Alaska Native and American Indian students pursuing postsecondary education. These scholarships are often funded by Alaska Native regional and village corporations, tribal organizations, and nonprofit foundations, and they aim to promote educational access, cultural preservation, and community leadership.

Some notable Alaska Native scholarship programs include:

• Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Scholarship – Offers financial support to Alaska Native students pursuing health-related degrees to build a stronger Alaska Native healthcare workforce.
• Alaska Native Brotherhood/Sisterhood (ANB/ANS) Scholarship – Awards scholarships to students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and education within Alaska Native communities.
• Doyon Foundation Scholarships – Provides general and competitive scholarships to shareholders and descendants of the Doyon, Limited region.
• Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) Scholarships – Offers scholarships through the Arctic Education Foundation for ASRC shareholders and descendants pursuing full-time college degrees or vocational training.
• Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Foundation Scholarships – Grants multiple awards annually for degree-seeking students and those attending cultural, vocational, or certificate programs.

Most Alaska Native scholarships require students to:

• Be enrolled tribal members or descendants of a shareholder in a regional or village corporation
• Maintain a minimum GPA (often 2.0–3.0)
• Submit documentation like proof of descent, transcripts, and personal essays

Because many of these awards are renewable and can be used alongside federal and state aid, students are encouraged to apply early and reapply each academic year. Applications are typically managed directly through each tribal organization or corporation’s foundation website.

What Is the Alaska Performance Scholarship?

The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is a merit-based financial aid program designed to reward high-achieving Alaska high school graduates who meet specific academic benchmarks. The goal of APS is to encourage students to pursue higher education within the state and strengthen Alaska’s skilled workforce.

Students can earn up to $4,755 per year toward tuition and approved fees at eligible Alaska postsecondary institutions, including the University of Alaska campuses and select career and technical education programs.

To qualify for APS, students must:

• Complete a specified high school curriculum (including math, science, and language requirements)
• Earn a minimum GPA (starting at 2.5 for the lowest award tier)
• Score at least 21 on the ACT, 1060 on the SAT, or 13 on the WorkKeys assessment (depending on the award level)
• Be Alaska residents and high school graduates from an Alaska institution

The APS has three tiers of award amounts based on GPA and test scores:

• Level 1: Up to $4,755/year
• Level 2: Up to $3,566/year
• Level 3: Up to $2,378/year

To maintain the award in college, students must enroll at least half-time, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and complete the FAFSA annually. APS funds can be used for up to eight semesters within six years of high school graduation.

What Scholarships Are Offered by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) for International Students?

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) provides several scholarship opportunities for international students to help reduce the cost of attending college in the United States. While international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, UAA offers institutional scholarships that reward academic achievement and help make tuition more affordable for non-resident students.

Notable scholarship programs for international students at UAA include:

• UAA Chancellor’s Scholarship – A prestigious merit-based award for incoming undergraduate students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance. While primarily aimed at Alaska residents, international students with strong GPAs and test scores may also be considered.
• UAA International Student Scholarship – Specifically designed for non-U.S. citizens on F-1 visas, this scholarship offers partial tuition waivers based on academic merit and availability of funds. Students must be enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible.

Additional funding opportunities may include:

• Departmental scholarships within academic programs such as engineering, business, or the sciences
• Private donor scholarships through the UAA Scholarship Portal

To apply for UAA scholarships as an international student, follow these steps:

1. Apply for admission to UAA and receive your student ID
2. Access and complete the UAA General Scholarship Application through the UAA Scholarship Portal
3. Submit additional documents such as a personal statement, transcript, or recommendation letter, if required
4. Meet scholarship deadlines—typically February 15 for fall awards

International students are also encouraged to explore scholarships from external organizations such as EducationUSA, home country governments, and international foundations.

UAA’s commitment to supporting global learners makes it a welcoming destination for students from around the world seeking quality, affordable education in Alaska.