Cook Inlet RCAC Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council

Introduction
Congress established the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). CIRCAC’s statutory responsibilities include environmental monitoring in Cook Inlet, participating in oil spill prevention and response planning, and providing public education about these activities. To support students whose education and career plans reflect these aims, CIRCAC is offering a $2,500 scholarship to assist a selected applicant in beginning or completing maritime skills training through a Maritime Academy, vocational program, or other maritime training program.

Important: Please read these guidelines carefully. Failure to follow the instructions or to provide required materials may result in disqualification.

Who may apply (Eligibility)
- Graduating high school seniors and recent high school graduates who live in the Cook Inlet area and plan to attend a maritime vocational school, academy, or program for certification or an undergraduate degree.
- Eligible geographic areas include residents of Anchorage, the Kenai Peninsula (Seward excluded), Kodiak Island, and nearby Cook Inlet communities (examples: Nikiski, Ninilchik, Kenai, Soldotna, Seldovia, Hope, Homer).
- Seniors must be enrolled in one of the following or be recent graduates: Anchorage School District, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Kodiak Island Borough School District; a recognized homeschooling program; or a private school located within those district boundaries.
- Recently discharged military veterans are encouraged to apply.
- Previous applicants may submit a new application.

Application materials (Submission requirements)
A complete application packet must be received by the deadline and must include:
1. Completed and signed application form.
2. Most recent school transcript (a copy is acceptable).
3. At least two letters of recommendation (cannot be from family members).
4. Personal essay, 500 words or fewer, covering:
- Your educational and career objectives, with emphasis on how they align with CIRCAC’s mission;
- How the scholarship would provide financial benefit;
- Relevant personal accomplishments; and
- How you expect to influence the culture and environment of Cook Inlet through your work.
5. Proof of Alaska residency (examples: documentation of PFD eligibility, driver’s license, military ID, or other appropriate documents).

Selection process
- Applications that are late or incomplete at the stated deadline will be disqualified.
- Submitted materials will be screened for eligibility and completeness.
- A panel of CIRCAC Directors will choose finalists to participate in interviews. Interviews are approximately 15 minutes in length and will be held by teleconference, usually all on the same day.
- Final scholarship recipients will be chosen on the interview day. All applicants will be informed of the Committee’s decisions after selection.

Award notification and publicity
Scholarship recipients will be publicly announced through local media and CIRCAC outreach channels (newsletter, website, and other communications).

Payment and conditions
- Awards are provided as a Letter of Award and a Certificate issued by CIRCAC.
- Scholarship funding will be paid in a single installment directly to the recipient’s school or training program after CIRCAC receives verification of enrollment (for example, a course schedule and Student ID issued by the school’s authorized office).
- Funds cannot be used to pay expenses from a prior academic term. The scholarship is intended for the upcoming academic year unless CIRCAC grants specific permission otherwise.

Deadline
Completed application packets must be received by 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026.

You are eligible to apply if
You are a graduating senior or recent graduate from a Cook Inlet-area high school (examples include Anchorage, Kodiak, Nikiski, Ninilchik, Kenai, Seldovia, Soldotna, Hope, and Homer), or are currently enrolled in college; you are an Alaska resident living in the Cook Inlet vicinity; and you intend to pursue college or vocational studies in environmental science, maritime studies, or oil spill prevention/response-related fields.

If you need further information about the application or submission process, please contact CIRCAC through the channels listed on our website.