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College, Careers, and Scholarships
Seniors
Click here for your Senior Checklist
ACT/SAT Testing Date 2023-2024
Why should you take the SAT or the ACT?
Together, your SAT scores and your high school grades can show your potential to succeed in college or career. The test is not intended to be studied for. It is supposed to measure your ability and a handful of scholarships, including the Alaska Performance Scholarship, require SAT and/or ACT scores for eligibility. Take the test and learn a little more about the amazing things you are capable of!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The new 2024–25 FAFSA form should become available in December 2024! Stay tuned for more information about a FAFSA Night at Houston High School, where you can receive help and support while filling out the online application. Some states and schools have limited funds, so don’t delay! To begin your application, select the “START HERE” button on the FAFSA homepage.
For more information, visit fafsa.gov.
Scholarships are arriving and closing. Please complete your post-secondary applications, FAFSA, and check in with your counselor for upcoming scholarships. Many scholarships for UAA, UAF, and UAS close on Feb. 15th. Get your applications and FAFSA completed soon!!!
College
Click on the links below to learn more about college.
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Careers
Click on the links below to learn more about careers.
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Scholarships
Search MSBSD Ak. Scholarships and Due Dates
MSBSD Teacher Preparation Scholarship Loan Program.
The Alaska Performance Scholarship
Students must take
- The SAT or the ACT
- 4 credits in Science, Math, Social Studies, and Language Arts or
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3 credits in Science and Math, 4 credits in Social Studies and Language Arts, and 2 credits in a World Language to qualify.
Check out the Alaska Performance Scholarship Website for more information.
To apply for the Alaska Performance Scholarship and other financial aid opportunities, students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by June 30th of each year. Visit fafsa.gov
To qualify, students must meet minimum test scores on the ACT, SAT, or WorkKeys. Students are strongly encouraged to test between September and March of their senior year to ensure there is enough time for test scores to be recorded on their official transcript.
Scholarship Opportunities
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JBER Community Club Scholarship - Due date unknown
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be a graduating high school senior or have a high school or equivalent diploma with plans to attend further education classes within the next school year. Applicant must be a family member possessing a valid military identification card who is the son/daughter/spouse of:
a. An Active-Duty Military Service Member who is assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).
b. An Active Guard or Reserve Component Service Member assigned to a unit on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).
c. A Department of the Army or Department of Defense civilian employed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER).
d. A Retired Military Service Member residing in the Municipality of Anchorage or the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
e. A dependent of a deceased military member.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Mat-Su College, Opportunities Start Here Scholarship - Opens Spring 2024 - Due
Opportunities Start Here
Open to new, first-time students preparing to attend Mat-Su College in fall 2024. Award waives 24 credits of tuition applicable to Mat-Su College courses only (up to 12 credits each semester) during the fall 2024 semester and spring 2025 semester.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Must be a new incoming freshman to Mat-Su College.
- Must be an Alaskan resident.
- Have earned a high school GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Have applied for admission to Mat-Su College or the University of Alaska Anchorage(UAA).
- Be registered or be planning to register for classes at Mat-Su College for the fall 2024 semester
Preference is given to students planning to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts degree from Mat-Su College.
For more inforamtion, CLICK HERE!
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Mat-Su College, CTSO Scholarship - Opens Spring 2024 - Due
Open to high school seniors graduating in May 2024 and preparing to attend Mat-Su College of the University of Alaska Anchorage during the 2024-2025 academic year. Award waives 24 credits of tuition applicable to Mat-Su College courses only (up to 12 credits each semester for fall 2024 and spring 2025).
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a high school senior graduating in May 2024 and a member of an Alaska Career & Technical Student Organization (CTSO). These include BPA, DECA, FCCLA, EdRising, FFA, HOSA, & SkillsUSA.
- Have earned a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher in high school
- Be registered or planning to register for classes at Mat‐Su College for the fall 2024 semester
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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The Alaska Telecom Association Scholarship - Opens February 2024
ATA scholarships are available to Alaska resident students to attend accredited higher education institutions. The application period opens in mid-February and the deadline is typically in mid-April each year. Additional application information is below.
Requirements for applications are as follows:
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Be sponsored by an Active or Associate Member of Alaska Telecom Association. Please contact the member organization directly to find out about company sponsorship requirements. ATA verifies student sponsorship with the member company as part of the application process. Need help finding a contact, email Shari Showalter at showalter@alaskatel.org.
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Have been a resident of Alaska for not less than four (4) years, or have attended school in Alaska for at least two (2) years.
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Have demonstrated success in an academic or vocational field.
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Plan to attend an accredited post-secondary school or training program for at least one year.
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Official transcripts must be delivered by secured email to ATA.
Applications may be submitted online, by U.S. mail, courier or in person.
The Scholarship Committee will be reviewing applications in April and May. Scholarship recipients will be announced at the ATA Annual Meeting in late May 2024. Shortly thereafter, ATA will mail letters to awardees and verify school information for depositing funds.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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University of Alaska Foundation Scholarships - Due February 15, 2024
Eligibility
Scholarships are available to students attending UAA, UAF or UAS, including all community campuses.Through one application, students are considered for many scholarship options, including those based on merit, financial need, field of study, life circumstance, outstanding achievement, or any combination of these criteria.
Deadline
Applications must be received by February 15, to be considered for most scholarships. Any applications received through July 15 may be eligible for late awarded scholarships or new scholarships that may open up.For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Mat-Su Health Foundation - Opens January 2024 - Due
The MSHF Academic Scholarship application period for the 2024-2025 academic year will open on January 2024!
Vocational scholarship applications are accepted year-round.
The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) offers two types of scholarships to residents of the Mat-Su Borough interested in pursuing health and human services careers. Academic Scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in health and human services degree programs. Vocational Scholarships help pay for training and certificate programs in health and human services.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Warren N. Cuddy Memorial Scholarship - Due March 22, 2024
Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation is offering two scholarships this year!
- High School Seniors only
- Agriculture-related scholarship award: $2,500
- Unrestricted scholarship award: $1,000
For more information, CLICK HERE, or call (907) 745-3390
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IAPD Scholarship Program - Due March 29, 2024
Scholarship Value: $5,000
Awards Available: 17
Award Deadline: Feb 24, 2023Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a 2024 IAPD scholarship, college-bound high school seniors and college/university students at the undergraduate or graduate degree level must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a child of an employee of an IAPD member company, OR
- Be employed by an IAPD member company, OR
- Be enrolled in one of the following four-year degree programs:
- accounting
- business managment/administration
- international business
- marketing
- supply chain management
- finance
- chemical engineering
- electrical engineering
- industrial engineering
- mechanical engineering
- process engineering
- quality control engineering
- industrial production management
Candidates must have a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative GPA based on a 4.0 scale. Recipients are ranked based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and presentation. Scholarship applicants are not eligible to win an IAPD scholarship two years in a row.
In addition to completing the online scholarship application form, submitted scholarship applications must include the following supporting materials to be considered:
- A 500-word, one page essay on What traits do you have that will enhance your education and future employment?
- A current transcript.
- The addendum page of this application
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. All information submitted will be maintained in confidence and used solely for purposes of analyzing the scholarship application.
HOW TO APPLY:
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Equal Opportunity Scholarship - Due March 30, 2024
Scholarship Value: $500
Awards Available: 2
Award Deadline: March 30, 2024Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet the requirements below. Please read the requirements carefully to ensure you meet eligibility before applying.
- Current high school, undergraduate, or graduate school student.
- 14+ years of age and attending school in the United States.
- 2.0 GPA or higher.
- All majors are encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY:
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Alaska Association of School Business Officials McClain J. "Mack" Easton Memorial Scholarship - Due March 31, 2024
Guidelines
The Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO) will award two scholarships for the upcoming school year based on the following guidelines:
1. There will be two $1,000 scholarships.
2. The scholarship will be available to high school seniors.
3. The applicant must intend to enroll in an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university in a degree related course of study or a vocational education program.
4. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31 and must include the following:
1) Grade transcripts with an accumulative GPA, computed by a school registrar.
2) SAT and ACT scores highlighted.
3) List of extra-curricular activities, awards or letters received, offices held, and related achievements.
4) A handwritten or typed (double spaced) essay of 250-300 words. Subject: My Career Goals and Why I Have Chosen Them.
5) A letter of recommendation from the school principal or a teacher.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Alaska Peace Officers Association Scholarships - Anchorage Chapter - Opens January 1, 2024 - Due April 15, 2024
We will award up to two $1500 scholarships to students pursuing educational goals with a career in the criminal justice field as the objective.
The Scholarship Committee will consider the following criteria when selecting recipients:
• Information submitted on a completed Scholarship Application Form and accompanying essay.
• Current academic grade point average.
• Enrollment at a post-secondary institution (both the UAF Law Enforcement Academy and the UAS Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy are eligible programs). You may apply before being accepted to a college, but scholarship awards will only be sent to the institution’s financial aid office.
• References provided by each applicant.
• Financial need.
• Mat-Su Borough residency will be given preference.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Associated General Contractors of Alaska Scholarship - Due March 31, 2023
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska, Inc. (AGC of Alaska) scholarship program is designated to encourage students to pursue a career in the construction industry or related field. Specific career paths include: engineering, architecture, construction management, design, as well as any of the trades, or any other related careers such as safety, accounting, insurance, bonding, and human resources or other related services.
Scholarship applications must be submitted by March 31, 2023 at midnight Alaska time. The AGC Education, Training and Workforce Development (ETWD) Committee Review team will award up to $20,000 in scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be notified in May.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must plan to enter the construction industry or a related (supportive) field such as accounting, insurance, bonding, human resources, etc.
- An individual must submit a complete application with the following PDF attachments:
- One-page essay on career goals. Max 500 words
- One-page personal essay (i.e. hobbies, connection to industry, fulltime employment and fulltime student status, family obligations, etc.). Max 500 words
- Copy of recent transcripts (depending on applicant status may be high school or college-whichever is most applicable)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation written within the last two years.
- Applicant must be either a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States and a resident of Alaska
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Alaska Carpenters Training Trust - Apprenticeship Applications Due March 2024
Requirements to apply:
- Submit a completed application.
- Must be an Alaska resident for a minimum of 30 days (proof of residency must be provided).
- Must be at least 18 years of age (or turn 18 by the time classes begin). Proof of age required. Must submit Alaska driver's license or ID card.
- High school diploma or GED. Copy of diploma/GED AND transcripts required.
- Copy of DD214 (if military).
- Be drug free. Drug screening will be required of all selected candidates.
- Applicants must be able to read, write, and speak the English language in order to comprehend instructions on the job and in related training classes, and to ensure personal and co-worker safety on the job.
- Must be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the occupation without endangering the health and safety of themselves and/or fellow workers.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Board of Directors Scholarship - Due March 31, 2024
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) awards ten (10) competitive $5,000 scholarships to qualified Alaska Native and American Indian students. This scholarship is open statewide. The scholarship covers tuition, books, fees, room and board.
Information about the scholarship program:
ANTHC is a non-profit Tribal organization that provides health care-related services to more than 180,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people. ANTHC’s Board of Directors established this scholarship to help increase the number of Alaska Native and Native American people working in health care fields.
Eligibility requirements:
- Alaska Native or American Indian
- Permanent Alaska resident
- Interested in working in a health care-related field
- Enrolled full-time in higher education
- Higher education includes the pursuit of Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D.
- For graduating high school seniors or other newly enrolled into a post-secondary program, a Letter of Acceptance must be turned in by May 10th, 2024.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Chef Cotter Scholarship - Opens January 2024 - Due March 2024
The Chef Cotter Scholarship will award one $1,000 scholarship to an Alaskan high school senior or student attending a post-secondary institution and pursuing a career in culinary arts or the hospitality and tourism industry. A student receiving the scholarship may re-apply for one consecutive year.
Qualifications:
- Graduated from an Alaskan high school or are attending an Alaskan post-secondary institution
- Attending or seeking to attend an accredited culinary, hospitality and tourism management program
- Strong work ethic and passion for success in the culinary or hospitality and tourism industries
Criteria:
- Personal essay
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- High school or post-secondary transcripts
- Statement of financial need
For more information and this year's application, please google Chef Cotter Scholarship.
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Big Lake Lions Scholarship - Due April 1, 2024
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Must be postmarked by April 1- 2024.
- Personal history must be one to two pages, double spaced and typed.
- Must include 2 letters of recommendation.
- Must include a letter from a parent or guardian explaining financial need.
- Official transcript to be mailed to Big Lake Lions showing at least a 2.75 GPA.
- Cover sheet filled out.
- 2024 Scholarship essay is required: Must be 1 to 2 pages about the benefits of being involved in a community service organization.
For more information CLICK HERE, or see your school counselor.
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Mat-Su Veteran Scholarship - Due April 1, 2024
This scholarship is NOT limited to military families, but totally open to all MatSu students.
The application must be submitted by April 1, 2024, and the scholarship will be awarded by May 1st, 2024.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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AASB's June Nelson Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1, 2024
The Association of Alaska School Boards is proud to announce its 33rd Annual Scholarship Award Competition. The June Nelson Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the late June Nelson, a longtime school board member from Kotzebue.
This 2023-2024 school year, AASB will award up to fifteen $1,500 scholarships to apply toward post-secondary education! Up to two of these may be awarded to returning college sophomores. Up to two scholarships may specifically be given to students planning to attend trade/vocational schools.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship - Due April 1, 2024
In 2024, up to 100 renewable scholarships of $10,000 each are offered for full-time study at an accredited U.S. institution of the student’s choice.
Eligibility Requirements
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Applicants of the Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship Program must be:
- U.S. Citizens.
- Current high school seniors with a cumulative 2.5 or above GPA, or current college freshmen, sophomores, or juniors with a cumulative 2.5 or above GPA.
- Planning to enroll or already enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S.
- Majoring or planning to major in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber/Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be willing to consider a paid internship with Lockheed Martin following freshman, sophomore or junior year of college, other circumstances notwithstanding (note: the internship is not required to receive a scholarship, and scholarship recipients are not guaranteed an internship).
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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Dr. George W. Brown Memorial Scholarship - Due April 1, 2024
The Dr. George W. Brown Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 competitive scholarship offered through the Mat-Su Schools Foundations. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Graduate from a Mat-Su Borough School District High school in December 2023 or May 2024;
- Be admitted to a bachelor’s degree program at a college or university that is accredited by a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education;
- Have a high school grade point average of 3.0 or higher;
- Complete and submit the application and required materials no later than April 1, 2024, at 5 pm Alaska time. Note that only complete applications that include all requirements will be considered.
For more information CLICK HERE
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WACO Community Assistance Grant - Due April 15, 2024
Application packet must include:
a) Application form and letter of introduction that explains intended use of funds and how it will benefit the applicant.
b) Supporting documents/materials should include transcripts, two letters of recommendation, portfolios or other material relevant to the application.
For more infromation, CLICK HERE and HERE!
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Elizabeth D. Gains and Katherine G. Steele Scholarship - Due April 19, 2024
Qualifications
Applicants must be residents of the Mat-Su Valley.
Applicants must be members of an established Christian church.
Applicants must express their loyalty to the United States and be willing to uphold its laws.
Applicants must be of good moral character and drug and alcohol free.
Applicants should have an academic record consistent with success in their chosen field.
Applicants must be recent graduates of a Mat-Su Valley school or within five years of that graduation.
Recipients must enroll in a trade, technical or vocational school, or in a college or university degree program.
Recipients must carry at least a full-time course load for the duration of the academic year.For more information, CLICK HERE!
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MTA Foundation - Opens January 2024
With various scholarships, the MTA Foundation rewards students who demonstrate exceptional talent and achievement. We award scholarships to support students through their pursuit of technology, business, entrepreneurship, post-secondary education, and more.
For more information about this scholarship and others, Click Here.
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AISES Scholarships - Opens December 15, 2023 - Due April 30, 2024
To apply, you must be an AISES member.
AISES student members have easy access to scholarships for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous peoples of Canada through the Online Scholarship Application Information System (OASIS) provided by Indigenous Education, Inc. In OASIS, students will complete a General Application Profile that can be finished, revised and submitted year-round and that will automatically match students only with the scholarship opportunities they are eligible for.
For more information, CLICK HERE!
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American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) - Due April 30, 2024
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) helps students move forward in their educational journeys by providing a wide range of programs and scholarship opportunities. AISES scholarships help students acquire skills and training that will help them meet the unique STEM needs of our communities. We highly encourage you to apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for! To apply, you must be an AISES member.
AISES student members have easy access to scholarships for American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous peoples of Canada through the Online Scholarship Application Information System (OASIS) provided by Indigenous Education, Inc. In OASIS, students will complete a General Application Profile that can be finished, revised and submitted year-round and that will automatically match students only with the scholarship opportunities they are eligible for, and those that are open and available to receive. Creating a General Application Profile is the first step to completing other scholarship applications that you qualify for.
For more information on AISES Scholarships and Internships please contact Dr. Johnny Poolaw, Director of Student Success at jpoolaw@aises.org(link sends e-mail). 720-758-9725.
Scholarship Timeline
- December 15: Scholarship applications open.
- April 30: Scholarship applications close.
- May 7: Letter of Recommendation due.
- May-July: Scholarships Reviewed.
- August-September: Award notifications sent on a rolling basis.
For more information, CLICK HERE!