Top 13 Alaska Scholarships & Grants for 2026 - 2027

Alaska Scholarships, Grants & Financial Aid Overview

What Scholarships Are Available for Alaska Students?

Students in Alaska have access to a strong mix of state-funded scholarships, need-based grants, Alaska Native corporate awards, and institutional scholarships from the University of Alaska system and other colleges. These programs are designed to reward academic achievement, support students with financial need, and encourage Alaska residents to stay in-state for college or career training whenever possible.

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. APS funds can be used at eligible colleges, universities, and career and technical education (CTE) programs within Alaska.
• 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, and they can be renewed for multiple years if the student maintains satisfactory progress.
• UA Scholars Program – Recognizes the top 10% of graduates from every Alaska high school and awards them a $12,000 scholarship (spread over up to eight semesters) to attend any campus within the University of Alaska system. This award encourages Alaska’s highest-performing students to stay in-state and pursue their degrees at UA Anchorage, UA Fairbanks, or UA Southeast.

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, often prioritizing Alaskans who plan to give back to their communities through public service, arts, or professional work.
• Alaska Native Corporation Scholarships – Students affiliated with corporations such as Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI), Doyon, NANA, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), and others may qualify for educational grants and scholarships specifically for Alaska Native students. These can cover anything from degree programs to vocational training and cultural education.
• Alaska Community Foundation Scholarships – Manages dozens of donor-funded scholarship opportunities for students based on field of study, location, academic merit, financial need, and community involvement. Many awards are tailored to students from particular regions or with specific career goals.

Together, these programs allow Alaska students to “stack” multiple sources of aid—state scholarships, grants, Native corporation funds, and local awards—to significantly reduce their out-of-pocket college costs.

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

The Alaska Education Grant (AEG) is one of the state’s key tools for helping low- and moderate-income students pay for college. Unlike loans, AEG funds do not need to be repaid, making them especially valuable for students who want to limit their debt.

Award amounts vary depending on:

• Your family’s financial need, as calculated through the FAFSA
• The cost of attendance at your chosen school
• The amount of funding available for the program in a given year

Eligible students may receive between $500 and $4,000 per academic year. Students with the highest financial need are typically prioritized for larger awards. AEG funds can be used at a range of institutions, including the University of Alaska system, private colleges in-state, and some eligible career and technical education programs.

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 AEG funding is limited and awarded on a priority basis, students should submit the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available for the upcoming academic year. Filing early and listing an eligible Alaska institution on the FAFSA gives students the best chance to receive the maximum grant amount.

What Is the Top 10% Scholarship in Alaska?

In Alaska, the phrase “top 10% scholarship” usually refers to programs that reward students who graduate near the top of their high school class. Two major examples are:

• UA Scholars Program: Specifically recognizes the top 10% of graduates from each eligible Alaska high school. These students receive a $12,000 scholarship (typically disbursed in equal installments over eight semesters) to use at any University of Alaska campus.
• Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS): While APS is based on GPA, test scores, and a rigorous curriculum rather than class rank alone, many recipients are also among the top 10% of their class.

High-achieving students who maintain strong GPAs, complete advanced coursework, and perform well on standardized tests can often qualify for both UA Scholars and APS, dramatically reducing the cost of attending college in Alaska.

What Is the Alaska Pell Grant?

The “Alaska Pell Grant” refers not to a separate state program but to the Federal Pell Grant being used by students attending college in Alaska. Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government to undergraduate students with significant financial need and can be applied at most accredited colleges and universities across the United States.

Key points about Pell Grants for Alaska students:

• Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA and based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), cost of attendance, and enrollment status.
• Award amounts change periodically and are set by federal law, but they can significantly reduce tuition and living expenses for qualifying students.
• Pell Grants can be combined with Alaska-specific aid like APS, AEG, and Alaska Native scholarships.

While Pell Grants are not Alaska-specific, they are a critical part of many Alaska students’ financial aid packages.

What Scholarships Are Available for International Students in Alaska?

International students in Alaska can access a combination of institutional scholarships and external awards. While they are not eligible for U.S. federal aid, many colleges in Alaska offer merit-based scholarships that help reduce out-of-state or international tuition rates.

Examples include:

• University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) International Student Scholarship: Provides partial tuition support for international students who demonstrate strong academic performance. Awards are often renewable if students maintain the required GPA and full-time enrollment.
• UA Scholars (for some international students): International students who graduate from an eligible Alaska high school and rank in the top 10% may qualify for UA Scholars, as eligibility is tied to high school graduation in Alaska, not citizenship.
• External international scholarships: Awards from organizations like P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship, home-country governments, or international foundations can sometimes be used at Alaskan institutions.

International students should:

• Contact the international student office at their Alaska institution
• Use the school’s scholarship portal to apply for institutional awards
• Search for global scholarships that allow study in the U.S.

What Are Alaska Native Scholarships?

Alaska Native scholarships are dedicated financial aid programs designed to support Alaska Native and American Indian students pursuing college degrees, vocational training, or professional certifications. These programs often aim to promote educational attainment, cultural continuity, and leadership within Alaska Native communities.

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 (such as nursing, public health, medicine, and allied health) 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, leadership, and education within Alaska Native communities.
• Doyon Foundation Scholarships – Provides general and competitive scholarships to shareholders and descendants of the Doyon, Limited region. Awards can support full-time, part-time, and vocational students.
• Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) Scholarships – Offers scholarships through the Arctic Education Foundation for ASRC shareholders and descendants pursuing full-time college degrees, trade school, or vocational programs.
• Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Foundation Scholarships – Grants multiple awards annually for degree-seeking students and those attending cultural, vocational, or certificate programs, with additional support for cultural activities and leadership development.

Most Alaska Native scholarships require students to:

• Be enrolled tribal members or descendants of shareholders in a regional or village corporation
• Maintain a minimum GPA (often between 2.0 and 3.0)
• Submit proof of eligibility, academic transcripts, and personal essays or statements of purpose

Because many of these awards are renewable and can be combined with APS, AEG, and Pell Grants, Alaska Native students are strongly encouraged to:

• Apply as soon as applications open each year
• Reapply annually
• Work closely with their tribal or corporate education office for guidance

What Is the Alaska Performance Scholarship?

The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is the state’s flagship merit scholarship, created to reward academic excellence and encourage Alaska students to pursue postsecondary education within the state. APS is tiered, meaning students can qualify at different levels depending on their GPA, test scores, and coursework.

Students can earn up to $4,755 per year toward tuition and approved fees at eligible Alaska institutions, including:

• University of Alaska Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Southeast
• Participating private colleges and career schools in Alaska
• Approved career and technical education (CTE) programs

To qualify for APS, students must:

• Complete a specified high school curriculum (including required math, science, English, and social studies courses)
• Earn a minimum GPA (with higher GPAs unlocking higher award tiers)
• Meet minimum test scores on the ACT, SAT, or WorkKeys, depending on the award level
• Graduate from an Alaska high school or equivalent and be an Alaska resident

The APS has three levels of awards:

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

To keep the scholarship in college, students must:

• Enroll at least half-time
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress and a minimum college GPA
• Use the funds within a limited number of years after high school graduation

APS can be combined with AEG, UA Scholars, and Alaska Native scholarships, making it a powerful piece of a full financial aid package.

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

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) offers several scholarship opportunities that help international students reduce the cost of tuition while studying in Alaska. Although international students are not eligible for federal financial aid, they can still qualify for institutional and donor-funded scholarships.

Notable scholarship programs for international students at UAA include:

• UAA Chancellor’s Scholarship – A prestigious merit-based award for incoming undergraduates with outstanding academic performance and leadership. While Alaska residents are prioritized, highly qualified international students may also be considered.
• UAA International Student Scholarship – Specifically designed for non-U.S. citizens on F-1 visas, this scholarship offers partial tuition support based on strong academic records and full-time enrollment. Recipients are typically required to maintain a certain GPA to renew the scholarship each year.

Additional funding opportunities may include:

• Departmental scholarships within academic programs such as engineering, business, education, health, or the sciences.
• Private donor scholarships available through the UAA Scholarship Portal, many of which consider academic merit, leadership, or community service.

To apply for UAA scholarships as an international student, you generally should:

• Apply for admission to UAA and receive your student ID number.
• Log into the UAA Scholarship Portal and complete the general scholarship application.
• Submit any required essays, recommendation letters, or supplemental forms.
• Meet priority scholarship deadlines, which are often in late winter for the following fall term.

International students are also encouraged to look for external scholarships from:

• Home-country government programs
• International organizations and foundations
• Educational agencies like EducationUSA

UAA’s combination of institutional aid, donor-funded awards, and relatively affordable tuition makes it a compelling option for international students seeking a unique, Alaska-based college experience.