University of Alaska Scholars Program

Scholarship Sponsored by University of Alaska

Description
**Overview**
The UA Scholars Award recognizes high-achieving Alaska high school students with a dedicated scholarship to support their undergraduate studies within the University of Alaska system. The award is a merit-based recognition designed to celebrate academic distinction and to encourage continued education at a UA campus. Recipients are invited to enroll at any of the University of Alaska’s three universities to claim their award.

Key takeaways
- Merit-based recognition for outstanding Alaska high school students
- Intended to support undergraduate study at any UA campus
- Recipients are invited to apply to any of the three University of Alaska universities

Eligibility
**Who qualifies**
Eligibility is determined by a student’s academic standing at the end of their junior year: students placed in the top 10% of their Alaska high school class are designated by their school as UA Scholars. The award is specifically for graduates of Alaska high schools, and recipients must be U.S. citizens or aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Designation comes from the high school, not from a separate statewide test or ranking process.

Key takeaways
- Top 10% of class at the end of junior year (as determined by the high school)
- Applies to Alaska high school students only
- Must be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident

Award Value and Distribution
**Amount and disbursement**
The UA Scholars Award is a $15,000 total scholarship granted to each Scholar. Funds are disbursed as $1,875 per semester for up to eight semesters, contingent on continued eligibility. Renewal of each semester’s disbursement depends on meeting the University of Alaska’s ongoing eligibility requirements.

Key takeaways
- Total award: $15,000 per Scholar
- Distributed at $1,875 per semester for up to eight semesters
- Continued disbursement requires maintaining eligibility

Use of Funds
**Covered expenses**
Award funds may be applied to a range of qualified educational costs incurred while attending any University of Alaska campus. Acceptable uses include undergraduate tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, qualified study abroad expenses, participation in national student exchange, and other education-related costs approved by the university. The award is intended to offset the overall cost of attendance rather than a single specific fee.

Key takeaways
- Covers tuition, fees, room and board, books, and supplies
- Includes qualified study abroad and national student exchange expenses
- Applies to other university-approved educational costs

Application Process and Fee Waiver
**How to secure the award**
To claim the UA Scholars Award, recipients must apply to one of the University of Alaska’s three universities. Application is free for UA Scholars—use the fee waiver code provided in your award letter; if you need assistance, contact scholars@alaska.edu to request the waiver. Acceptance and enrollment at a UA campus are the practical steps that secure and begin disbursement of the award.

Key takeaways
- Apply to any of the three University of Alaska universities to claim the award
- Use the fee waiver code included in your award letter for a free application
- Contact scholars@alaska.edu if you need the fee waiver code or help

History and Purpose
**Origins and goals**
The UA Scholars Award was established in 1999 to incentivize academic excellence across Alaska’s middle and high schools and to encourage top graduates to pursue higher education within the state. The program supports local schools’ efforts to deliver a high-quality education and seeks to retain Alaska’s most promising students at the University of Alaska. UA Scholars are expected to enrich campus life, represent diverse communities statewide, and serve as ambassadors between their home communities and the university.

Key takeaways
- Established in 1999 to promote academic excellence in Alaska
- Designed to retain top graduates for in-state higher education
- Scholars serve as academic contributors and community ambassadors