Remember to Apply Early and to Apply Often!
Academic scholarships are generally merit-based and highly competitive! Excellent grades, community involvement, volunteer services, participation in competitive athletics or academic endeavors speak volumes for a student’s character and preparedness for a rigorous post-secondary course of study.
Please see your NCS counselor (Sandi) or Tim Gebhart at the NSLC to help you formulate a strategy by which you will be able to realize your post-secondary educational aspirations. Funding should not pose an overwhelming obstacle.
Additional Sources of Funding for College
Traditional Native Council - of the village that the student lives in or the village that the student’s parents come from Village corporations where the student lives in or the village corporation of which the student’s parents may own shares are potential sources of scholarship funding.
AVCP-Association of Village Council Presidents Provides social, economic and educational services to 56 federally recognized Native Alaskan Tribes. Offices are located in Bethel. 800-428-3521 or 907-543-7300 http://www.avcp.org
Coastal Villages Region Fund—Scholarships include funding for GED preparation and college, and applications are available. For residents of CVRF communities: Chefornak, Chevak, Eek, Goodnews Bay, Hooper Bay, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Kwigillingok, Mekoryuk, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Newtok, Nightmute, Oscarville, Platinum, Quinhagak, Scammon Bay, Toksook Bay, Tuntutuliak, and Tununak.
The Louis Bunyan memorial scholarship is for vocational training or academic education and is based on financial need. Due dates: May 31 for fall semester; October 31 for winter/ spring http://www.coastalvillages.org
Bethel Native Corporation The Bivin Memorial Scholarship is for $500 per semester. Application requirements are enumerated at the BNC website: http://www.bnc-alaska.com/scholarship.htm . Applications can be downloaded directly from the BNC website.
Calista Scholarship Fund -- June 30th deadline. 1-800-277-5516 http://www.calistacorp.com/share2.html
Calista Scholarship Application Form
Reduced Tuition at Many Schools in the Western States
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education http://www.wiche.edu
Provides reduced tuition at many schools in the western states
under 3 separate programs:
o WUE -- Western Undergraduate Exchange
o WRGP -- Western Regional Graduate Program
o PSEP -- Professional Student Exchange Program
(If you prefer to begin your college studies outside of Alaska, you may be eligible for in-state tuition at many schools located in the Pacific Northwest and Western United States. Check the above mentioned website for more information).