Nanook Commitment Scholarship

The Nanook Commitment scholarship is a renewable award for incoming first-year, transfer and readmitted University of Alaska Fairbanks students to help qualifying students bridge the gap between what they can afford and the cost of attendance. This scholarship is offered to students based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as the admissions application. Students eligible for the Nanook Commitment will have guaranteed assistance towards their cost of attendance.

The Nanook Commitment Scholarship is calculated based on:

• the student’s total cost of attendance, including their residency for tuition purposes. Changes in residency status may impact the amount of the scholarship.
• their estimated family contribution (EFC) from their FAFSA,
• their high school GPA, or college GPA if they have completed 30+ college credits
• other Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA), such as Pell Grant, Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS), Nanook Pledge Scholarship, Alaska Adventure Award, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), athletic scholarships, and other aid they are receiving.

Scholarships range from $100-4,000 per year. Amounts effective for fall 2023 and spring 2024.

How to Apply

• Complete the application for admission.
• Submit transcripts. Students may upload unofficial in-progress transcripts at the time of application. Final official transcripts will be required before enrolling.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Deadline: Admissions application, FAFSA and transcripts must be submitted before the admissions deadlines (June 15 for fall and November 1 for spring).

Terms and Conditions

The Nanook Commitment scholarship is available for up to four years for continuous enrollment at UAF. Recipients are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as make satisfactory academic progress and be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester to continue to receive the scholarship. Students who graduate in less than four years may be eligible to use remaining years for a graduate program, with permission by the Financial Aid Office. 
 
If a recipient's residency changes resulting in a new tuition rate, the amount of the Nanook Commitment Scholarship may change. 

Alaska Performance Scholarship

The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is a merit-based scholarship available to Alaska high school students. It is state-funded, and administered by the Alaska Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE). For the graduating class of 2022 and 2023, the ACT/SAT criteria for the Alaska Performance Scholarship has not been waived. These exams are required for eligibility.

Note: UAF estimates the amount you may be eligible for so that you can see how it will impact your total financial aid package, however the estimation is not an official amount. Your high school counselor is your best resource for questions about eligibility, and we encourage you to work with your high school counselor to make sure you are on track to receive the award amount you expect.

How to Apply

• Apply for admission to a bachelor’s degree and submit your high school transcripts and/or college transcripts.
• Submit the FAFSA each year.

Deadline: Admissions application and transcripts must be submitted before the admissions deadlines (June 15 for fall and November 1 for spring). Submit the FAFSA each year before June 30.

Terms and Conditions

Students remain eligible for 8 semesters of use or 6 years from high school graduation, whichever comes first. Initial eligibility is determined by your Alaska school district. For 12+ credits, students can receive full amount of award; for 6-11 credits students can receive half of the award. The FAFSA must be completed by June 30 each year. 

Students must also meet continuing eligibility criteria, reviewed after every 2 terms of use:

• 2 Terms Used-- Have 24 earned credits and 2.5 GPA
• 4 Terms Used--Have 54 earned credits and 2.5 GPA
• 6 Terms Used-- Have 84 earned credits and 2.5 GPA

UA Scholars Award

The UA Scholars Award is a $12,000 scholarship awarded to Alaska high school students who are in the top 10% of their class at the end of their junior year as determined by their school. The Award is distributed in the amount of $1,500 per semester for eight semesters.

No application is necessary. Students are designated by their high school based on their academic standing at the end of their junior year. Your high school counselor is your best resource for questions about eligibility. Students are notified of their selection for the UA Scholars award by the UA Scholars Office in the fall months of their senior year.

Terms and Conditions 

Students are identified by their Alaska high school based on their class standing at the end of the Junior year. Students remain eligible for 8 semesters of use and can take a 2 semester leave of absence. Students must be full time (12 or more credits) to receive disbursement. Students must also meet continuing eligibility criteria, reviewed after every 2 terms of use:

• 2 Terms Used-- Have 24 earned credits and 2.5 GPA
• 4 Terms Used--Have 54 earned credits and 2.5 GPA
• 6 Terms Used-- Have 84 earned credits and 2.5 GPA

Alaska Education Grant

The Alaska Education Grant is state-funded, and administered by the Alaska Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE). Grant awards typically range from $500 to $4,000 per academic year. Award criteria includes:

• Financial need, determined by the student's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as shown on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Prior academic year award recipient
• Date of FAFSA filing
• Enrollment level (full-time vs. half-time), as certified by the student's institution of attendance

To receive the maximum award, qualifying students must be enrolled in at least 15 credit hours for "On Time" enrollment status. Students with the highest financial need will be awarded in order of need until funds are exhausted.

A student may not receive more than a total of $16,000 in AEG award money over the course of their undergraduate education.

Eligibility

To qualify for an Alaska Education Grant a student must:

• Be an Alaska resident for at least 365 days prior to filling the FAFSA, and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Be admitted into an undergraduate degree or vocational certificate program at a qualifying Alaska institution
• Be enrolled at minimum half-time status
• Not have earned a prior baccalaureate degree
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), meaning maintaining a GPA of 2.0+ and completing 67% of attempted classes.

How to Apply

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. UAF and ACPE encourages students to apply early for award prioritization.

Foundation Scholarships

UAF’s Kaleidoscope Scholarship Application Portal is an online database of more than 400 scholarships. Once you sign in and submit your General Application, you’ll be automatically matched with all the foundation scholarship opportunities that you qualify for. You can also search for scholarships by college or academic department.

Deadline

The deadline to apply for most UAF foundation scholarships is February 15 for the following academic year. However, application deadlines for many private and external scholarships will vary, so be sure to check back in the Scholarship Application portal under “External” opportunities. 

Terms and Conditions

Students are selected for these scholarships based on the scholarship application . Eligibility criteria is determined by the scholarship committees.