Alaska Financial Aid: State Grants, Scholarships and Free College Programs
By Muntasir • Published Feb 09, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • US States & Cities, US Financial Aid & Scholarships
Alaska funds two state programs on top of the FAFSA: a merit scholarship worth up to $7,000 a year and a need-based grant worth up to $4,000 a year, and one university now gives every undergraduate in-state tuition.
📩 File the FAFSA first, both state programs build on it
🎓 Alaska Performance Scholarship: up to $7,000 a year for a 3.5 GPA or higher
💵 Alaska Education Grant: $500 to $4,000 a year, $16,000 lifetime cap
APS covers up to 8 semesters within 6 years of high school graduation
UAS gives every undergraduate in-state tuition starting fall 2026
Start with the FAFSA
Every Alaska state aid program here builds on a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). File it as early as your school allows, since some awards go out in the order applications are completed.
Alaska Performance Scholarship: merit aid for Alaska high schoolers
The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) pays Alaska residents who graduate from an Alaska high school and enroll in an eligible Alaska college or university. The award has three tiers based on GPA, test scores and completion of a rigorous high school curriculum, according to UAF financial aid .
| Level | Award | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Up to $7,000/year | 3.5 GPA, or ACT 25 / SAT 1210, plus the required curriculum |
| 2 | Up to $5,250/year | 3.0 GPA, or ACT 23 / SAT 1130, plus the required curriculum |
| 3 | Up to $3,500/year | 2.5 GPA, or ACT 21 / SAT 1060, plus the required curriculum |
You can use APS funds for up to 8 semesters within 6 years of graduating high school, at any eligible Alaska postsecondary institution, not only the University of Alaska.
Alaska Education Grant: need-based aid
The Alaska Education Grant (AEG) is a need-based award for Alaska residents pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational certificate. Awards run $500 to $4,000 a year, with a $16,000 lifetime cap per student, according to UAF financial aid .
To qualify you need at least 365 days of Alaska residency before you file the FAFSA, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, a high school diploma or GED, admission to an undergraduate or vocational certificate program, and at least half-time enrollment, with no prior bachelor's degree. Once enrolled, keep a GPA of 2.0 or higher and complete at least 67 percent of the classes you attempt to stay eligible. Enrolling in 15 or more credits a semester puts you on track for the maximum award.
In-state tuition for everyone at UAS
University of Alaska Southeast now charges every undergraduate the in-state tuition rate starting fall 2026, no matter where they live, through a program called Alaska Unlocked, according to UAS . It is not free tuition, but it removes the non-resident penalty for students who choose UAS over Alaska's other public universities.
Putting it together
A high-GPA Alaska resident heading to UAF can stack a Level 1 APS award with an AEG award and federal aid to cut tuition well below the sticker price. Apply for both state programs the same year you file the FAFSA, and ask your target university's financial aid office for the current state application forms, since APS and AEG have their own paperwork on top of the FAFSA.