The state of Alaska does not offer as many financial assistance programs as do many of the other states. However because of its smaller population qualifying for financial assistance is relatively easy. As well the state has fewer colleges and universities than do the other states throughout the United States.
Grants that are state-funded in the Last Frontier are generally based on financial need. In other words, they are geared towards those students who without government money would not be able to attend a post secondary institution. Grants made to students are different than student loans as they do not need to be paid back. The majority of public education grants in Alaska are aimed at undergraduate students and not graduate students. It is the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education that distributes funds to students who need them.
Before you look further into state-funded grant programs you need to make sure that you qualify for federal aid. Fill out and file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Many of the state programs use the applications for federal aid to determine who will receive state awards. The way the process goes is that first you apply for FAFSA and then you look into what the state programs have to offer. Let us take a closer look at two of the most popular Alaska public education grants.
AlaskAdvantage Education Grant
The most accessible need-based grant in Alaska is the AlaskAdvantage Education Grant. This is a very popular one that is designed to benefit students who are presently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a college or university, that is either private or public. This grant program is open to all Alaskan residents to apply for. The plan behind it is to increase the number of educated people in the state.
The AlaskAdvantage Grant program was created by the state legislature. Its target is students enrolled in undergraduate programs that are in great demand because of shortages in the workforce. The grant provides aid beyond what the student can earn directly from the FAFSA. This state-funded grant is renewable and is available for both full-time as well as part-time students.
Part-time undergraduate students are eligible to receive between $500 to $1,000 a year while full-time students are eligible to receive in the range of $1,000 to $2,000 a year. To be considered for the AlaskAdvantage Education Grant you must submit your FAFSA by the 15th of April. Please note that priority for this grant is given to students pursuing courses of study in allied health programs, community and social services, and teaching.
The Edward and Anna Range Schmidt Charitable Trust
The Edward and Anna Range Schmidt Charitable Trust was created in 1993 and is designed to assist promising Alaskan students who have chosen to pursue courses of study that will lead to degrees in environmental or earth sciences. This grant does its part to support native Alaskan students in preparing for jobs that are aimed at the preservation of the state’s natural resources. The focus of the trust specifically is to help rural Alaskans to prepare for jobs that will involve the planning and the control of the land and the natural resources it contains. Another aim of the grant program is to help students to become positive role models. This charitable trust is concentrated on those students who are socially and financially disadvantaged. It also aims to help minority students who reside in the state.
This is not a typical grant. The money that is given to eligible candidates is meant to be used by students to help them in their search for internship, jobs, travel and/or expenses that are connected to science fairs or workshops. The money from the trust is given to the University of Alaska and from there students can apply for monetary assistance through the trust which is not-for-profit. Please note that the financial aid from this trust is meant to be for immediate or short-term aid.
Applications for this trust are accepted any time of the year. Requests are given consideration as soon as they are received. Applications must be made by letter from a sponsor. The sponsor can be a teacher, an advisor or another adult that is well acquainted with the situation of the applicant. The letter from the sponsor must describe the applicant of the grant. It should also explain why the monetary help is required and how much money the individual is looking for. The sponsor and applicant’s names, addresses and telephone numbers should all be included in the letter. If the applicant wrote a letter or his or her own and included it that would be very useful as well.
