Scholarships
Paying for education can be challenging. Scholarships are based on a variety of criteria, such as academics, talents, athletics, or other interests. Scholarships are a gift; recipients do not repay the scholarship amount.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. Use it to apply for federal student financial aid, such as the Pell Grant, student loans, and college work-study. In addition, most states and schools use FAFSA information to award their financial aid.
Scholarships.com is a clearing-house of scholarship and other financial aid information. To visit website, click here.
First Alaskans Institute lists a variety of scholarship, grant, fellowship and internship information available to the Alaska Native community. To visit website, click here.
There are numerous scholarships available through many organizations in the NANA region. Requirements vary for each.
Buckland IRA
Financial assistance is available to residents and or stockholders of NANA, who are also descendents of Buckland and enrolled in an accredited college or adult vocational training. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. The amount available varies, with priority given to full-time students. Deadlines are June 15 and October 15.
- Buckland IRA Council
- PO Box 67
- Buckland, AK 99727
- P (907) 494-2171
- F (907) 494-2217
Kiana IRA
Financial assistance is available to those enrolled in accredited college and adult vocational training programs. Applicants must be a quarter or more Native blood, and a member of Native Village of Kiana. The amount awarded varies, with priority given to college juniors and seniors. Deadlines are June 30, October 30, and February 15.
- Kiana Traditional Council
- PO Box 69
- Kiana, AK 99749
- P (907) 465-2109
- F (907) 475-2180
Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation (KIC)
(http://www.kicorp.org/shareholders.html) Shareholders and their direct descendents are eligible to apply.
- KIC
- PO Box 1050
- Kotzebue, AK 99752
- P (907) 442-3165
- F (907) 442-2165
Kotzebue Electric Association
Provides up to $500 in scholarships to descendants of members of the Cooperative for university, college and vocational tuition expenses. Selection is based upon grade point average, participation in school activities, citizenship, and future goals. Completion of a short essay on the benefits of the Cooperative way of doing business or the benefits of electricity in rural Alaska is required. Application deadline is May 1.
- Kotzebue Electric Association
- PO Box 44
- Kotzebue, AK 99752
- P (907) 442-3491
- F (907) 442-2482
Kotzebue IRA
(http://kotzebueira.org/education.html) Financial assistance to college, university, vocational and technical school available to enrolled members of Kotzebue IRA.
- Kotzebue IRA
- PO Box 296
- Kotzebue, Alaska 99752-0296
- Phone: 907-442-3467
- Fax: 907-442-2162
Kotzebue Lion’s Club
Scholarships are available for tuition, fees, room, board and books to applicants who are residents of Kotzebue, graduates from KMH, or a part of a family from Kotzebue. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college/university and maintain a 2.0 or better GPA in high school or college. For vocational or technical school students, applicants must be or plan to be enrolled in an approved school and must meet the competency for the specific area. Attendance must begin within 12 months of high school graduation or continuance of college or vocational/technical school enrollment. Deadline is the first part of May.
- Kotzebue Lion’s Club
- PO Box 342
- Kotzebue, AK 99752
- P (907) 442-3715
- F (907) 442-3716
Robert Aqqaluk Newlin Sr. Memorial Trust
(http://www.aqqaluktrust.com) Provides scholarships to NANA shareholders and their descendents for both vocational/technical schools as well as university/college programs.
- Robert Aqqaluk Newlin, Sr. Memorial Trust
- Education Department
- P.O. Box 509
- Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
- 907-442-1607
- 866-442-1600
- Fax 907- 442-2289
Maniilaq Association
(http://www.maniilaq.org/scholarship.htm) Open to NANA shareholders and their descendents and includes James “Qigñak” Wells Endowment Scholarship, BIA Higher Education, Adult Vocational Training Grant and the Direct Employment Assistance. See each application for scholarship eligibility.
- Maniilaq Association
- Human Resources
- James “Qigñak” Endowment Scholarship Program,
- P.O. Box 256
- Kotzebue, AK 99752
- (907) 442-7652
- (907) 442-7665
- (800) 478-3312
- Fax (907) 442-7765
Noatak IRA
Assistance is available to tribal members for college, university or adult vocational training (AVT) expenses. Applicants must have Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) card and be a member of village of Noatak. Amount varies depending on fund availability. Duration: by semester (college/university) or duration of training (AVT). Deadline: None. Funding Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Noatak IRA
- PO Box 89
- Noatak, AK 99761
- P (907) 485-2173
- F (907) 485-2137
Noorvik IRA
Scholarships for full time students working on their associate or bachelor degrees or vocational training. Candidates must have Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) card, and be a member of the village of Noorvik. Amount varies depending on fund availability. Duration: 5 year maximum. Funding Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Noorvik IRA
- PO Box 209
- Noorvik, AK 99763
- P (907) 636-2144
- F (907) 636-2284
Northwest Arctic Borough – Frank R. Ferguson Scholarship
Scholarship monies available to students seeking a degree in economics, political science, business administration or other justifiable area. Eligible candidates will major in economics, political science, business administration or justifiable area; be a resident of the Northwest Arctic Borough; be enrolled as a full time student carrying 12 or more credits; and maintain a 2.0 GPA. Scholarship amount not to exceed $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Criteria also include financial need, outstanding performance, and community service. This award is to be used for books, tuition, fees, and other college expenses. Deadlines are August 15, January 15, April 15.
- Northwest Arctic Borough
- PO Box 1110
- Kotzebue, AK 99752
- P (907) 442-2500
- F (907) 442-2930
Northwest Arctic Borough School District June Nelson Scholarship
(http://www.nwarctic.org/documents/Forum%20Files/JNES_Scholarship2008.pdf) Scholarships are available to students seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in the field of education. Eligible candidates must be or plan to be enrolled in the education field, maintain a 3.0 GPA in either high school or college, be a Northwest Arctic Borough School District graduate and be a full time student at an approved accredited college or university. Amount: Not specified.
- NWABSD Board of Education
- NWABSD Director of Assessment
- PO Box 51
- Kotzebue, AK 99752
- P (907) 442-3472 ext. 268
OTZ Telephone Cooperative
(http://www.otz.net/long_distance/forms.html) With a goal of encouraging students seeking careers in telecommunications, scholarships are available to Northwest Arctic Borough School District graduates who have maintained a 2.0 GPA in high school. Parents or guardians must be in good standing with OTZ Telephone. Amount: four scholarships to be awarded in the amount of $1,500 per year. Duration: up to six consecutive years. Deadline is April 25. Check website for application.
- OTZ Telephone Inc.
- Scholarship Committee
- PO BOX 324
- Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
- 800-478-3111 ext 1033
- 907 442-1033
- 907 442-1026 fax
Peter MacManus Memorial Scholarship Fund
Scholarships are available to high school seniors in the Northwest Arctic Borough School District to support and encourage continuing education. Amount: $2,500 per year to be divided between recipients. Duration: each year student is in college or training. Deadline is April 1.
- Peter MacManus Scholarship Committee
- c/o Barbara MacManus Winterhill
- PO Box 68
- Ambler, AK 99786
Selawik IRA
Applications must show Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) card and be a member of village of Selawik. Amount varies.
- Selawik IRA Council
- PO Box 59
- Selawik, AK 99770
- P (907) 484-2225
- F (907) 484-2226
Teck Alaska Scholarship Program
- Teck Alaska
- Attn: HR/Scholarships
- 3105 Lakeshore Drive Bldg. A, Suite 101
- Anchorage, AK 99517
- F (907) 426-2177