Alaska Performance Scholarship

The Alaska Performance Scholarship provides an opportunity for Alaska high school students, united states to earn a scholarship to help them cover the cost of an Alaska postsecondary education.

Alaska high school students who take a more rigorous curriculum, get good grades, and score well on college placement or work ready exams, can earn an Alaska Performance Scholarship to qualified Alaska colleges, universities, or vocational/technical programs.

Who is qualified to get Alaska Performance Scholarship 2021?
Alaska residents who graduate from an Alaska high school (public, private, or home school), in 2011 or later and meet the qualifying requirements are eligible

Where can this scholarship be used:

The APS can be used at any participating college or university in Alaska, or for approved career and technical education programs in the state. Click here for more information on participating Alaska postsecondary institutions.

How much is the award worth:

There are three maximum annual award levels: up to $4,755, $3,566, and $2,378. Maximum levels are established based on a combination of minimum GPA and test scores.

An Alaska Performance Scholarship 2021 award may not exceed qualifying costs of attendance (which typically include tuition; fees; required books, supplies, and equipment; room and board; and transportation) remaining after considering all other non-loan aid the student is eligible for.

Students may remain eligible for up to 8 semesters but must fully use the APS within six years of high school graduation.

When will the fund be available?

The Alaska Performance Scholarship 2021 is sent to schools in two payments, usually 50% of the award when the student begins attendance, and the other 50% at the start of the next term or midpoint of a CTE program.

Generally, your school will first apply your APS funds to your outstanding school debt for that year, if any, and then pay any remaining funds to you.

Final award notification is made after the postsecondary education confirms qualifying enrollment. Students can monitor their status in their Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) account.

Does the scholarship expire?
Yes. It must be used within six years of graduating high school unless the recipient qualifies for an extension.

Students who wish to apply for an extension must send a written request to the commissioner, accompanied by a signed statement from the institution of higher learning in which the student is enrolled.

Steps to Qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship

1. Make a plan to complete the Alaska Performance Scholarship curriculum with your high school counselor.
2. Start with the checklist for your class year (see below) and/or “My Course Plan” in your Alaska Career Information System (AKCIS) portfolio.
3. Work to achieve the highest GPA you can.
4. Prepare for and take the SAT and/or ACT test. Take it early, so you can retake it if you want to better your score. Also, explore your options based on Work Keys scores.
5. Research participating Alaska colleges and training programs and choose the one that’s right for you.
6. Apply early.
7. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) soon after October 1, the fall BEFORE the semester starts, for every year you want to use the award.

note: Create an account in the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) to track your status.

note: The Alaska Performance Scholarship application is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).*

The priority deadline for filing your FAFSA for the APS is June 30, but try to complete it as early as possible. As of October 2016, the FAFSA becomes available in October for the school year beginning the following Fall.

Many financial aid programs using the FAFSA have early deadlines.

You need to file a FAFSA each academic year you plan to use the award. When you file, be sure to list at least one Alaska institution on your FAFSA – the institution you plan to attend should be listed first – and to list Alask a as your state of residency.

Students who are privately home-schooled or attend private schools must submit a request to the Department of Education and Early Development to determine their APS eligibility. The completed request form and all supporting documents must be submitted by July 15 for a determination prior to the upcoming APS award year.

Download Alaska Performance Scholarship Eligibility Determination Request Form

Don’t forget – you must also complete the FAFSA by June 30 each year you plan to use the award!

Already Applied?
Log in to the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) to verify that ACPE has received your data. If you applied via the FAFSA on the Web, your information should be available ASAP within five business days.

Remember you need to file a FAFSA every year in which you plan to use an APS award.

An Alternative APS application is available through ASAP for students attending schools that do not receive FAFSA data.