UA Scholars

You're a big deal

UA Scholars are a big deal. They're Alaskans in the top 10% of their high school class, meaning they're some of the top-performing students in the state. Over 500 UA Scholars currently attend UAF, and they're some of the most promising Nanooks. They will go on to make big things happen — for their communities, Alaska and the world. UAF is the launching point.

$15,000 Scholarship

The main benefit of being a UA Scholar is the scholarship award itself. The UA Scholars Award is a $15,000 scholarship that's distributed over the course of eight semesters. You can use your UA Scholars Award to pay for tuition, housing, a meal plan, textbooks or anything else you'll need funding for at school, like a study away program or research equipment.

This scholarship can be used in conjunction with other types of scholarships and financial aid like the Nanook Pledge Scholarship and the Alaska Performance Scholarship. Some UA Scholars earn more than $46,000 to pay for their UAF education and expenses.

UA Scholars must be full-time (12 or more credits) to receive disbursement each semester. Students must also meet continuing eligibility criteria, reviewed after every 2 semesters of use. This scholarship can be deferred for up to 2 years.

Important Dates

FAFSA Opens

Application opens: Dec. 1

You don’t need to complete your FAFSA to receive the UA Scholars award, but you'll need it for other scholarships that you might be eligible for, such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Nanook Commitment Scholarship and other UA Foundation Scholarships.

Submit FAFSA Application

UA Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: Feb. 15

There are over 400 other scholarships available through the UA Foundation that you can apply for — with a single application. Fill out the General Application to be automatically matched with all the scholarship opportunities that you’re eligible to receive.

Apply for Scholarships

UA Scholar Application

Deadline: Aug. 15

To secure the UA Scholar award, you must apply for admission to a certificate or degree program at a UA university (we hope you'll choose UAF!) by August 15 after high school graduation.

Apply to UAF

Apply to UAF for Free

Apply Online

As a UA Scholar, your application for admission is free! Enter the UA Scholars application fee waiver code when prompted for payment near the end of your application.

Apply Online

Submit your high school transcript

In-progress transcripts are okay! Email a copy of your unofficial transcript or upload it to your application in the application portal. We'll need you to have your final, official transcript(s) sent to us directly from your school(s) when you graduate, but we can make an admissions decision once you send us the unofficial copy.

You can also apply to UAF on the Common App! Once you've filled out the common application, select UAF as an institution to send it to us! You won't be prompted for payment, and there's no need to use a waiver code.

Choosing UAF

Your UA Scholars Award can be used at any of the three UA universities — University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Anchorage or University of Alaska Southeast. We hope you’ll choose UAF.

There are a lot of great reasons for you to join Nanook Nation. Perhaps you’ll join UAF’s Climate Scholars Program to study alongside the world’s best climate researchers and discover how you can play a part in preserving our planet. You might design and lead your own research project with funding and support from URSA (Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity). Feeling adventurous? Continue your studies for a semester in your country of choice through one of UAF’s many Study Away programs.

You have a great many adventures ahead. UAF is just the beginning.

Affordable and Practical

Staying in-state lowers the cost of college by a considerable amount — it’s a smart choice. As a graduate of an Alaskan high school, you’ll automatically be granted the resident tuition rate. On top of these savings, you may qualify for any number of scholarships, like the Alaska Performance Scholarship, UAF’s Nanook Pledge Scholarship, or one of UAF’s 400+ Foundation Scholarships.

World-Class Opportunities

UAF’s student population is smaller than other research universities, meaning you’ll have more access to research opportunities than you might at a larger school. UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ Campus in Fairbanks is home to unique facilities where undergraduate students can intern and participate in research, like the Large Animal Research Station and Poker Flat Rocket Range. About 46% of UAF undergraduate students participate in research or thesis projects during their time here.

Close-Knit Community

UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ Campus is a true residential campus, offering a robust student life. Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) are an opportunity to build strong bonds with classmates who share your interests. And between UAF’s 100+ student clubs and organizations and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1, you’ll form close bonds both inside and outside of the classroom.

Questions?

Jess Hildebrand

Admissions Counselor

uaf-admissions@alaska.edu | 907-474-7500

Hello there! My name is Jess Hildebrand, and I’m UAF’s admissions counselor for UA Scholars. I’m here to help you and your family consider your options and get started as you join Nanook Nation.

Schedule a meeting with Jess

UA Scholars

You're a big deal

$15,000 Scholarship

Important Dates

FAFSA Opens

UA Foundation Scholarships

UA Scholar Application

Apply to UAF for Free

Apply Online

Submit your high school transcript

Choosing UAF

Questions?

Contact information

Find out more