937 Alaska students will graduate with the UA Scholars Award distinction

WASILLA— 937 high school graduates from the class of 2022 received scholarships from the UA Scholars Award.

This year’s recipients include graduates from 238 Alaskan high schools from Akiachak to Yakutat, according to a recent press release.

High school teachers and other officers identify the top ten percent of the graduating class for the UA Scholars Award, which includes a $12,000 scholarship for use at the University of Alaska’s three institutions, UAA, UAF, or UAS, and their 13 community campuses.

“We honor and celebrate UA Scholars in the class of 2022 on their upcoming graduation from high school,” said Lael Oldmixon, the program’s executive director. “This cohort represents some of Alaska’s best and brightest minds. Through them, Alaska will remain strong and ready for whatever the future holds. Our universities are poised and ready to accept them as students and partners in creating the life they want in a state they love.”

UA Scholars receive the $12,000 scholarship through $1,500 payments over eight semesters. This scholarship can be used in conjunction with other types of scholarships and financial aid like the Alaska Performance Scholarship.

UA Scholars have the ability to take two semesters off for any reason once they’re enrolled. This includes time 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 stated in the press release.

While the award is specific to programs in the University of Alaska system, students can use the funds to Study Away (abroad or through National Student Exchange). “It’s a great way for students to explore outside of Alaska while paying in-state rates,” Oldmixon said.

Scholarships from the UA Scholars endowment are funded by the University of Alaska Land Grant Trust Fund through property sales and resource development conducted on Trust lands.

Many UA Scholars also qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship and UA Foundation scholarships which are separately funded and managed programs.

The University of Alaska established the UA Scholars Award in 1999 to encourage Alaska students to attend college and graduate in their home state.

“Choosing to use the UA Scholars Award to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks allowed me to obtain a high-quality education at a more affordable price. UAF equipped me with the tools and research experiences I needed to pursue my medical degree through the University of Washington Alaska WWAMI program at UAA,” 2016 UAF graduate (Weaver) Wells stated in the press release. “Congratulations, UA Scholars, on your hard work and this incredible opportunity!”

To view the complete list of the class of 2022 UA Scholars, visit alaska.edu/scholars.