Scholarships for Alaskan Residents

Scholarship eligibility is determined by many factors, including the tuition rate you will be charged, which is also called your . This page covers scholarships that are available to students eligible for the in-state resident tuition rate. If you aren't sure if you're eligible for resident tuition, contact the UAF Office of Admissions at 907-474-7500 or uaf-admissions@alaska.edu.

Nanook Pledge Scholarship

We know how important financial certainty is to your ability to succeed as a student. With awards ranging from $1,000-$5,000, the Nanook Pledge scholarship provides four years of predictable financial assistance. Recipients must be enrolled full-time (12 UAF credits) during the fall and spring semesters and must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), meaning maintaining a GPA of 2.0+ and completing 67% of attempted classes.

Selection for this scholarship is based on previous academic success and the rate of tuition for which you qualify.  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.


Scholarship Amounts

Effective for fall 2024 and spring 2025.

First-Year Students
 High School GPA 3.8+ $5,000 per year, $20,000 over four years
 High School GPA 3.5-3.79 $4,000 per year, $16,000 over four years
 High School GPA 3.2-3.49   $2,000 per year, $8,000 over four years
Transfer Students
 Previous College GPA 3.8+ $3,000 per year, $12,000 over four years
 Previous College GPA 3.0-3.79 $1,000 per year, $4,000 over four years


 How to Apply
  • Apply for admission to a bachelor’s degree and submit your high school transcripts and/or college transcripts.

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


Terms and Conditions

Nanook Pledge Scholarship recipients are notified at the time of admission. Eligibility is determined by previous high school or college GPA. Students must be admitted to a baccalaureate program and be enrolled full time at UAF (12 credits). The amount received is based on the recipient's tuition rate. That amount may change if the recipient's residency status changes. The Nanook Pledge Scholarship may also be reduced for students living off campus.

The Nanook Pledge Scholarship is available for up to four years of continuous enrollment at UAF. Students who complete their UAF bachelor's degree in fewer than 4 years may be eligible to use remaining years for a graduate program, with permission by the Financial Aid Office.

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 2024 and spring 2025.


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.

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 fewer 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. 

Nanook Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship

The Nanook Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship is open to incoming first-year students who will be studying either Theater & Film, Music, or Art at UAF.


Eligibility
  • Incoming first-year student applying to attend UAF as a full-time (12 credits or more) undergraduate in fall 2025.
  • Admitted to a bachelor's degree in Art, Music or Theatre & Film.
  • Demonstrate talent and potential to excel in the fine or performing arts.

Scholarship Amount

Renewable award between $1,000-$5,000 per year, for a total of 4 years. To maintain eligibility, enroll in 12+ UAF credits (full-time) for fall and spring semesters, and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).


How to Apply:

To apply for the scholarship, submit a portfolio-based application that focuses on your work as an artist. Faculty from the Fine Arts programs will evaluate your portfolio or performances and award scholarships based on artistic talent and potential (not based on incoming GPA).

  • Complete the
  • Upload to the application form or email completed application materials to uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu by 5 p.m. Alaska time, Nov. 15:
    • Short essay about your artistic pursuits (200 words)
    • Portfolio/performance samples

Deadline: Admissions applications, transcripts, and scholarship application must all be submitted before the deadline (Nov. 15 for the following fall semester). Award decisions will be announced by Jan. 15.


General questions or concerns about this scholarship can be addressed to the scholarship coordinator at 907-474-7256 or uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu.

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). To qualify for the APS, students must meet eligibility requirements:

  • Complete specific, rigorous high school curriculum
  • Earn qualifying GPA or Meet qualifying score on college/career entrance exam (, , )

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.

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
up to $7,000 per year up to $5,250 per year up to $3,500 per year
  • Specified high school curriculum
  • High School GPA 3.5 OR ACT 25 or SAT 1210
  • Specified high school curriculum
  • High School GPA 3.0 OR ACT 23 or SAT 1130
  • Specified high school curriculum
  • High School GPA 2.5 OR ACT 21 or SAT 1060

 


How to Apply
  • Apply for admission to a bachelor’s degree and submit your high school transcripts and/or college transcripts.
  •  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 $15,000 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 $1,800 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 up to 4 semesters as a 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  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.

You may be eligible for scholarships from many of our generous donors, such as the Bill Stroecker Foundation.


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. 

 
The Financial Aid Office has the right and responsibility to amend your award at any time due to availability of funds, changes in federal or state aid policies, errors or false information on your FAFSA or student record, or additional aid received from outside sources.  Specifically, you should be aware that your award may need to be amended if you later receive aid from a Native corporation, the University of Alaska Foundation, a UAF department, a graduate, employee, or student tuition waiver, active duty tuition benefits, or any other scholarship or aid source.
 

 
Calculate your financial aid awards

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Net Price Calculator provides a detailed cost-of-attendance analysis that can help guide prospective students through estimating their financial aid options. The average time to complete a full estimate is between 3-5 minutes. Please have a close estimate of your family's income and assets in order to ensure an accurate estimate of your cost of attendance.