Academic, vocational scholarships available

Area residents pursuing careers in a health and human services field will be able to apply for an academic scholarship beginning next week. The popular Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship program opens to 2025 applicants Jan. 15. The application period runs for two months, through March 15.

The goal of the Health Foundation’s scholarship program is to increase the health and human services workforce in the Mat-Su Valley by easing the financial strain of higher education for degree-seeking local students. Academic scholarships are awarded to students attending accredited colleges and universities. Scholarship applications are evaluated based on career choice and financial need, as demonstrated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible, students must maintain at least half-time status and be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. They must also have lived in the borough for a minimum of one year at the time of application.

There is no minimum GPA requirement.

The amount awarded for academic scholarships varies based on many factors, including how many applicants there are each year. Last year, scholarship recipients received awards from $2,000 to $9,000.

A separate scholarship program exists for vocational training. This offers financial assistance to those pursuing non-degree certification and training.

The program covers fields such as medical/dental assistants and office personnel, addictions counseling, certified nurse assistant (CNA), mental health technicians, phlebotomists, radiology technicians, EMTs, and other certificate programs that do not result in a college degree but still fill a vital need in the health care community.

The application period for a vocational scholarship is always open, but applications must be received at least 60 days before the start of the training program being pursued. Vocational scholarship recipients can receive up to $5,000 towards the cost of their program.

Detailed instructions on how to apply in either program are available at the Mat-Su Health Foundation website, www.healthymatsu.org.

“There is tremendous career opportunity in these fields and a chance for all who pursue them to positively affect the lives of many,” outgoing Health Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Ripley said. “Our scholarship program supports local residents to become the health and human service providers of tomorrow, to ensure we have the talent and expertise to meet community needs.”

The Mat-Su Health Foundation has been awarding scholarships since 2008. In the last five years, 2,278 academic scholarships totaling more than $11 million have been awarded. That total included $2.6 million in 2024, the seventh year in a row that both the number of scholarships and the total dollar amount increased.

The Health Foundation is part owner of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. The scholarship programs are part of the Foundation’s commitment to investing its share of profits into community health and wellness, which includes grants to area nonprofit organizations. Since 2008, that investment has totaled more than $130 million.