Scholarships-State

= = = = = = = = =Alaska Performance Scholarship=



Eric Fry Information Officer Alaska Department of Education & Early Development 907-465-2851

Hi. Attached is a letter to you from Commissioner LeDoux, a summary of the Alaska Performance Scholarship, and an FAQ document. The summary and FAQ provide a link to the scholarship’s web page. We hope these documents will introduce your staff and families to the scholarships. It takes some time to absorb the details.

Last Friday, the State Board of Education & Early development set the curriculum requirements for the Class of 2011 and the assessment requirements for that class and future classes. The attached summary and FAQs are up to date and include that information.

However, there are more details to work out. Future regulations will set the curriculum requirements for the Class of 2012. Eventually, regulations may set the allowable courses for eligibility. For now, simply having the required credits in the subject matter is sufficient for eligibility.

This launches our efforts to explain a rather complicated program. We expect to continue to produce informational materials for educators and families. The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education has avenues for communicating with high school students, and the commission will help to spread the message.

This web link, under the section “More Information Coming” in the upper-right part of the web page, includes the enabling statute and the State Board’s new regulations. You may find it helpful to keep a file of regulations as they are approved. http://akadvantage.alaska.gov/Grants_and_Scholarships/Alaska_Performance_Scholarship.aspx

For now, please direct your district’s questions to me and I will get you answers. Your queries also will help us shape the next round of public information. The department expects to hire a coordinator soon for the Alaska Performance Scholarship. Regards, Eric

_ *** The Alaska Principal Foundation manages two scholarship programs funded by BP. The Process Technology Scholarship Program is perhaps lesser known than the BP Principals/Commissioner Scholarship Program.

Therefore I'm asking your help in promoting this scholarship opportunity among promising students who have strong STEM skills. This scholarship opportunity is open to Alaska High School seniors graduating in Spring 2011. This is a tremendous opportunity for students who may have strong STEM aptitude and are motivated to enter a high pay-high demand career field in Alaska, without attending a four year degree program.

Up to 5 two-year scholarships will be awarded, each valued at $12,000. The two-year Process Technology Degree Program is offered at at Tanana Valley Campus, Kenai Peninsula Campus or UAA Extension Campus. The application deadline is November 5, 2011. Applications will be screened and those who are selected as finalists will be interviewed in mid to late November 2010.

Please share with school or district CTE/STEM staff and carrer guidance counselors in your school/district and ask them to share this information with their students.

These scholarships are also open to other Alaskan residents who have graduated from high school and are intending to enroll in, or who are currently enrolled in, the Process Technology Degree Program on one of the three UA campuses.

The scholarship application form and other details about the scholarship can be found on the AASSP website, www.alaskaprincipal.org website under the scholarship tab or by clicking (or pasting) the URL below:

http://www.alaskaprincipal.org/218610122121916337/site/default.asp

For information, please contact:

Andre' Layral Executive Director Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals P.O. Box 83530 Fairbanks, AK 99708

Office: 907-458-8880 FAX: 907-458-8889 Email: scholarships@alaskaprincipal.org aassp@alaskaprincipal.org Web Page www.alaskaprincipal.org

BEGICH SCHOLARSHIP INTERN FUND INVITES 2011/2012 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Pegge Begich, Chair of the Nick Begich Scholarship Intern Fund, announced today the call for 2011/2012 scholarship applications for Alaskans pursuing degrees and/or careers in education, government, and public service. This year the Fund will not be offering Intern applications, but will offer one $2,000 Eugene A. Kennedy scholarship to the highest-scoring applicant which may be renewed for up to four years. Up to three $1,500 scholarships will also be awarded. Separate smaller awards may be considered for deserving candidates. Last year these and additional scholarships in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,750 were awarded for a combined total of $28,000 in student awards. Any Alaska resident pursuing a degree in education, government, or public service is eligible to apply. There is no age limitation on Scholarship applications.

The Nick Begich Scholarship Intern Fund was created in 1977 by friends and family of the late Congressman Nick Begich (D-Alaska). Since its inception the Fund has provided over $300,000 in support of Alaskans interested in pursuing careers in education, government, and public service. Congressman Begich’s plane disappeared on a flight from Anchorage to Juneau on October 16, 1972 while campaigning for reelection to the United States House of Representatives. The plane was never found. The Eugene A. Kennedy scholarship is named for Congressman Begich’s long-time friend and aide, Eugene Kennedy who served as Executive Director of the Fund until 1994.

Scholarship applications are available on the web at nickbegichfund.org or may be requested by writing one of the addresses below. Eligibility requirements are detailed on the application form. Applications will be accepted by e-mail or U.S. mail and must be sent and postmarked no later than February 28, 2011. Applications received after that date will not be considered. Award winners will be announced in April 2011, coinciding with the month in which Congressman Begich would have been 79 years of age. All application documents must be submitted in one packet/ transmission to one of the following addresses:

E-mail:

cwrecord@alaska.net

U.S. mail:

Nick Begich Scholarship Intern Fund Attn: Tom Begich, Executive Director P.O. Box 142711 Anchorage, AK 99514-2711

Questions about scholarships and internships may be addressed to Tom Begich and sent to the above e-mail or postal addresses.