Here are 10 Alaska Scholarships for Incoming University Students

Christen Arafeh Author

Feb 15, 2022 |

Here are 10 Alaska Scholarships for Incoming University Students

The State of Alaska is known as "The Last Frontier" but in terms of college education, it shouldn't be considered as a last choice! Aside from being one of the more affordable states to study college at, there are options for great colleges in the State of Alaska along with scholarships in Alaska to provide even financial aid for you and make the cost of college even cheaper.

Why Study in Alaska?

If you are interested in living in a state with less of the hustle and bustle of the crowded city life, while at the same time being closer to the beauty and serenity of nature, Alaska may be a place you can consider for your college studies.

According to collegetuitioncompare.com, the average tuition & fees for colleges in Alaska is $7,008 for in-state and $15,612 for out-of-state for the academic year of 2020-2021, which is lower than national average. The national average is $6,852 for in-state students and $17,943 for out-of-state students for 2021. 

Upon graduation, oil and fishing are not the only industries or job opportunities that are available for graduates in Alaska. One booming industry is in the industry of international air cargo, since Anchorage, Alaska occupies a strategic location in the world. Other industries with significant growth in the State of Alaska are healthcare and technology.

5 Top College or University Options in Alaska

Here are 5 great colleges or universities for degree-seeking students in the State of Alaska.

University of Alaska Anchorage

Set in the heart of Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is ranked #34 in Top Public Schools and #71 in Regional Universities West based on U.S. News Overall College Rankings in 2022.

The school offers a full complement of programs and courses, including in high-demand fields such as engineering, health, business and education, as well as in the liberal arts and sciences. Its technical education programs are closely aligned with Alaska’s core industries, such as aviation, oil and gas. The school also maintains close connections with Anchorage-based government, business and nonprofit employers, thus giving students a wide range of opportunities for internships, research and real-world experience. 

If you love nature, the campus is connected to 250 miles of trails where students can enjoy wooded seclusion, mountain vistas and ocean views. The school's unique location provides unparalleled access to valuable industry connections, Arctic research, outdoor recreation courses and more. At the same time, being located in the city of Anchorage, students are still allowed to enjoy the urban life with the malls, movie theaters, restaurants, sporting events and attractions within the city.

Alaska Pacific University

The Alaska Pacific University (APU) is ranked #84 in Regional Universities West based on U.S. News Overall College Rankings in 2022.

It is famous for the APU Nordic Ski Center, which trains and develops some of the best skiers in the country including many Olympians, World Champion and national medalists.

APU’s undergraduate degrees include Professional Studies and Campus Undergraduate programs. Examples of Professional Studies programs include Alaska Native Governance (BA), Business Administration (BA), and Community Health (AAS). APU’s Campus Undergraduate programs include Counseling Psychology (BA), Environmental Public Health (BS), Marine & Environmental Sciences (BS), Health Sciences (BS), and Outdoor Studies (BA). From field courses to campus-based classes, students find themselves in a variety of settings intentionally designed to enhance their education experience.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is ranked #299-391 in National Universities and #156-209 in Top Public Schools based on U.S. News Overall College Rankings in 2022.

Located in the 2nd largest city in Alaska, the 2,250-acre UAF Fairbanks campus is the statewide university system's principal research center and offers limitless opportunities for activity and recreation. UAF is an international pacesetter in Arctic research, particularly in earth and ocean sciences, biology, and engineering. However, the school also gets great ratings in teacher training and business management.

University of Alaska Southeast

Set in the heart of Alaska's largest city, Anchorage, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is ranked #50-66 in Top Public Schools and #94-122 in Regional Universities West based on U.S. News Overall College Rankings in 2022.

UAS has 3 schools located in cities in Southeast Alaska - Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. UAS has long been recognized for offering programs of distinction in teacher education and educational leadership, biology and marine biology, environmental science, liberal arts, business and public administration, health information management, mine training, and fisheries technology, among others.

Ilisagvik College

The first and only federally recognized tribal college in Alaska, Ilisagvik College was founded to primarily serve the residents of the North Slope Borough, America’s largest and most northern municipality. The intent of its founders was to provide an education based on the Iñupiaq cultural heritage and to satisfy higher education needs of Alaskan Natives and American Indians.

The school serves the region by providing certificates and associate degrees, workforce training, continuing education classes, and adult basic education classes (GED). Ilisagvik College provides quality post-secondary academic, vocational and technical education in a learning environment that perpetuates and strengthens Iñupiaq culture, values and traditions. It is dedicated to providing well educated and trained individuals who meet the human resource needs of North Slope Employers.

College Costs and Student Loans Figures for Alaska in 2021

The average tuition & fees of Alaska colleges in 2021 is $7,888 for in-state residents and $17,172 for out-of-state students (Alaska State 2021 Average Tuition Costs) per year. The cost for tuition & fees plus other costs such as books & supplies, room & board and other college expenses may accumulate and even cause you to incur debt in the form of student loans so you can afford to pay for all these expenses and graduate.

The average student loan debt in Alaska at $34,431 is lower than the average student loan debt of the entire United States at $39,351 (U.S. Student Loan Debt Statistics). However, you still do not want to be a part of this statistic and want to avoid incurring as much student loan as possible.

Scholarships in Alaska for Incoming College Students

Getting scholarship funding is one way to lessen or even avoid incurring student loans and also lighten the costs and financial burden of going to a college or university. Unlike grants, which are financial assistance that is need-based or based on your or your family's income, getting scholarship awards may be more accessible to everyone. Furthermore, you can go for both grants and scholarships at the same time.

Here are 10 Alaska scholarships that you may be eligible for.

Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors

• Deadline: March 8, 2022
• Award Amount: $10,000

Eligibility:

Applicants must be current high school seniors who plan to enroll as a full-time student in the following year at an accredited post-secondary institution or continuous education program, be a US citizen or permanent resident, be Pell Grant-eligible, and be a diverse candidate or be from an underserved community. Applicants cannot be residents of Utah or be attending a Utah post-secondary institution.

Description:

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and The Sallie Mae Fund are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students at accredited post-secondary institutions. Twenty five (25) students completing a two-year, four-year, or trade/vocational certificate/certification program will be selected to receive a scholarship up to $10,000.00 for the upcoming academic school year.

NIADA Foundation Regional Scholarships

• Deadline: March 9, 2022
• Award Amount: $3,500
• Eligibility:

Applicants must be high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and high SAT and ACT scores. An essay will also be required as part of the application.

• Description:

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) Foundation promotes the academic growth of youth throughout the United States and awards scholarships annually at the  NIADA Convention. The Foundation proudly sponsors four young men or women each year who have displayed outstanding abilities in education. Each scholarship winner will each receive a $3,500 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

Pride Foundation Scholarships 

• Deadline: March 13, 2022
• Award Amount: Varies
• Eligibility:

Current high school seniors and college students applicants who either plan to pursue or are pursuing a postsecondary education of some kind are eligible. These students must either be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington (but may study anywhere) or be attending school in one of those five states.

• Description:

The Pride Foundation offers scholarships to support LGBTQ+ and allied students living in the Northwest. Children of all genders and sexualities who come from LGBTQ+ families also qualify for the scholarship.

BBB Foundation Students of Integrity Video Scholarship - Northwest

• Deadline: March 23, 2022
• Award Amount: $5,000
• Eligibility:

Applicants should be residing in Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Washington, or Western Wyoming (Teton, Uinta and Lincoln County). They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have applied to an institute of higher education, whether university, college, vocational school, etc.

• Description:

BBB Foundation offers the Students of Integrity Scholarship to recognize high school junior and high school senior students who personify and communicate ethics in the real world, as demonstrated through community service, personal integrity, and academic accomplishments. Eligible applicants from across the Northwest are encouraged to apply by creating a 90-second video that demonstrates how BBB helps people become smart consumers. A scholarship will be awarded to the winning application.

Donald Handeland Scholarship

• Deadline: March 31, 2022
• Award Amount: $3,000
• Eligibility:

Applicants must be a graduating high school senior, an Alaska resident who will be enrolling in a 4-year accredited college or university as a full-time student following their high school graduation and going into a bachelors engineering or science program.

• Description:

This is one of the most flexible scholarships you can apply for. There are very few "requirements." The purpose of this is to allow you to include the things that make you a unique candidate. Not everyone fits into the same mold, so include the information that highlights what you excel at.

The other purpose of making it flexible is that we don't want to waste your time. Students have a lot going on with academics, extracurricular activities, and home life. There is no limit to the number of pages or what you can include. Email any documents you want to be included with your application.

Just fill out the form and read other documents that can be submitted with your application here.

Celebrate The West High School Art Competition

• Deadline: April 30, 2022
• Award Amount: $1,500
• Eligibility:

The competition is open exclusively to high school students enrolled in grades 9-12. Home-schooled students in that age group also may enter.

Students must be in a school in Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming.

• Description:

The Western Governors' Association is proud to announce "Celebrate the West", a regional art competition that challenges high school students to create works inspired by their state. Students are encouraged to think about what the West means to them. What does it mean to call the West home? What have we learned about it's complex past and what do we imagine its future looks like?"

They must submit a digital copy of their entry via email, along with their entry form, to WGAart@westgov.org by April 30, 2022 to get a chance to be a scholarship winner.

PMI Alaska Chapter Scholarship

• Deadline: May 1, 2022
• Award Amount: $2,500
• Eligibility:

This is open to applicants who are enrolled in or applying for an accredited undergraduate, graduate or doctoral academic degree program in project management or a related field benefitting from project management. Sample fields include Business Administration, Computer Science, Construction/Industrial Management, Engineering, Government/History, Information Technology/Systems and Science.

Applicants are considered with the following order of priority: 1st priority: a member of the PMI Alaska Chapter who is a resident of Alaska attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university program anywhere; 2nd priority: any individual residing in Alaska who is attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university program anywhere.

• Description:

The PMI Alaska Chapter has created an endowed fund to support at least one annual academic scholarship per year.

Thomas K. Besh Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Deadline: May 3, 2022
• Award Amount: $2,000
• Eligibility:

Eligible applicants must be Alaskan residents, have a four-year cumulative GPA of 2.75 or greater, and be a high school senior, high school graduate, or attending an accredited university.

• Description:

Tom Besh was first and foremost an educator with an abiding love for the mountains, running, skiing, and adventure. Tom's associations and contributions to the sport of skiing are many and varied commencing with his ski racing career, evolving into a prominent ski coach, and continuing as a driving force behind the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage. This scholarship is offered to skiers who similarly share Tom's love and dedication of skiing and/or outdoor adventure while continuing to exemplify academics, sportsmanship and volunteerism with goals to continue this lifestyle in the future.

 Stuck At Prom Scholarship Contest

• Deadline: June 9, 2022
• Award Amount: $10,000
• Eligibility:

To enter the contest you must:

• Be at least 14 years of age
• Be enrolled in high school or home school association (at the high-school level) during the 2020 - 2021 school year
• Be a legal resident of the United States and the District of Columbus (excluding Arizona, Maryland, Tennessee, Colorado and North Dakota) or a legal resident of Canada (excluding the Province of Quebec)
• Not have been a finalist in any previous Stuck at Prom contests

• Description:

Duck® brand duct tape and/or Duck® brand crafting tape is giving away $20,000 in cash scholarships to high school students who make the best prom attire out of Duck® Brand Duct Tape.

Create and wear your original & unique prom wear using Duck® brand duct tape and/or Duck® brand crafting tape and take a high resolution pic of the big moment and submit along with the entry form. The previous requirement to wear your creation to prom has been removed -- you just need to be enrolled in high school or a home school association (at the high-school level) during the current school year to get a chance to be a scholarship winner.

 AlaskAdvantage® Education Grant

• Deadline: June 30, 2022
• Award Amount: $4,000 per year up to $16,000 total
• Eligibility:

This is open to Alaskan students attending qualifying post secondary educational institutions in Alaska. 

• Description:

The Alaska Education Grant (AEG) program awards typically range from $500 to $4,000 per academic year. A student may not receive more than a total of $16,000 in AEG scholarship award money over the course of their undergraduate education. Students who complete the FAFSA and select at least one qualifying Alaska Institution of higher education when filing are eligible for the award.

Get Scholarship Funds Faster

It is a great idea to go for as many of those 10 Alaska scholarships we mentioned that you are eligible for. Accelerate the time it takes for your scholarship applications by using our 5 Day Scholarship Challenge Accelerator program and avoid missing scholarship application deadlines.

Aside from these 10 scholarships we covered above that are available for students who plan to study in Alaska, there are more sources for scholarship funding out there available for you. Like we said, scholarships are the best student financial assistance you can go for, as you are not restricted by income and you will not end up with any student loans. Get a Personalized Scholarship Search to let us help you find even more scholarship awards that you are eligible for.