930 Alaska students graduating in May with UA Scholars Award distinction

Each year, high schools in Alaska identify the top ten percent of their class for the UA Scholars Award, a designation which includes a $12,000 scholarship for use at any University of Alaska campus. 930 students in Alaska’s high school class of 2021 were named for this year’s prestigious award. The class hails from 238 high schools in communities ranging from Akiachak to Yakutat.

“We are excited to congratulate UA Scholars in the class of 2021 on their upcoming graduation from high school,” said Lael Oldmixon, the program’s executive director. “Their academic performance distinguishes them as some of Alaska’s top minds, and the University of Alaska would be privileged to have them as students.” UA Scholars receive the $12,000 scholarship in $1,500 payments over eight semesters. 

Once enrolled, UA Scholars have the flexibility to take two semesters off for any reason, including at the beginning, before they start attending the university. “This gives them the opportunity to travel, go on service trips, take a lighter credit load, attend to family business, or explore other opportunities,” Oldmixon explained. While the award is specific to UA, students can use the funds to study abroad (internationally), or study nationally through the National Student Exchange program. “It’s a great way for students to adventure outside of Alaska while paying in-state rates,” Oldmixon said. 

UA Scholars are offered a free application for admission which they must submit by May 1, 2021, to secure the $12,000 scholarship attached to the recognition. University of Alaska system admissions counselors from UAA, UAF, and UAS are offering assistance through weekly virtual “office hours” to answer questions for UA Scholars, their parents, and Alaska guidance counselors though April 30. Meeting days and times vary by campus. A complete list can be found at alaska.edu/scholars.  

The scholarships are funded by the University of Alaska Land Grant Trust Fund. This endowment receives revenue from property sales and resource development conducted on Trust lands. Many UA Scholars qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship as well as UA Foundation scholarships. 

The University of Alaska established the UA Scholars Program in 1999 to encourage Alaska students to attend and graduate from college in their home state. It is designed to provide an incentive for secondary school students to achieve academic excellence, to nourish efforts

of schools to provide high quality education, and to encourage high school graduates from every Alaska community to seriously consider the educational opportunities that the University of Alaska system has to offer.

A complete list of the class of 2021 UA Scholars will be printed and inserted in Alaska newspapers on May 9, 2021. Learn more at alaska.edu/scholars.

For more information or to request an interview, please contact Leyalle Harris at (907) 474-5105 or lcharris2@alaska.edu.