Receiving the First Award Disbursement
The APS can be used at participating postsecondary institutions in Alaska. Students can use the APS within six years of high school graduation. To receive an initial award, students must:
  • meet high school curriculum, GPA and test score requirements;
  • file a FAFSA or approved alternate application no later than June 30 of the year in which they plan to use the award;
  • be admitted to a qualifying degree or certificate program at a participating Alaska institution;
  • notify their postsecondary institution before the enrollment certification deadline that they plan to attend using an APS award;
  • enroll in:
    • at least 12 credits for each semester of their freshman year to receive a full-time study award; or
    • at least 6 credits to receive a prorated half-time study award; or
    • a qualifying clock-hour CTE program; and
  • have unmet costs of attendance of $500 or more after considering all other non-loan aid, such as grants and other scholarships.
  
 2012/2013 Action Timeline
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Timeline

Activity

Notes for Students

Jan 1 through Jun 30, 2012

Apply by the June 30 deadline.

Be sure to file the 2012-2013 FAFSA (not the 2011-2012 FAFSA). Apply early (by February 15) to be considered for additional aid programs with the same application.

Log on to the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) to verify if your application has been received. If you apply via the FAFSA on the Web, your information should be available on ASAP within five business days.
 

Aug 2012

Individual students’ high school eligibility status is available in ASAP.

Alaska school districts are required to report each student’s eligibility information to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). 

 

Late Aug - early Sept 2012

Postsecondary schools will certify students with APS-qualifying enrollment.

Awards to students certified after the certification period are contingent upon funding availability. Be sure that, prior to school certification:

  • your ASAP record lists the correct school you plan to attend. By default, this is the school you list first on your FAFSA or alternate application. You can process an institution transfer request in ASAP if you need to change the institution listed.
  • you have been admitted to a qualifying degree or certificate program at the school you plan to attend for the 2011-2012 academic year. For questions about admissions, contact your school's registrar office.
  • you are enrolled in the appropriate program or number of credits by your school’s enrollment deadline. 
 

Sept 1 - 30, 2012

Schools may begin requesting APS disbursements on behalf of their APS-eligible students.

APS award are disbursed to schools in two payments, usually 50% of the award when the student begins attendance, and the other 50% at the start of the next term or midpoint of a CTE program.  Generally, your school will first apply your APS funds to any outstanding school debt for that year, and then pay any remaining funds to you. 

Work with your financial aid office to ensure you meet all payment deadlines.
 Receiving the Award
The APS can be used at participating postsecondary institutions in Alaska. Students wishing to receive APS awards for the 2012/2013 program year should review the action timeline below and ensure they have taken the steps outlined to enable their postsecondary school to certify their enrollment before the deadline listed below. 
  
The APS can be used at participating postsecondary institutions in Alaska. Students can use the APS within six years of high school graduation. To receive an initial award, students must:
  • meet high school curriculum, GPA and test score requirements;
  • file a FAFSA or approved alternate application no later than June 30 of the year in which they plan to use the award;
  • be admitted to a qualifying degree or certificate program at a participating Alaska institution;
  • notify their postsecondary institution before the enrollment certification deadline that they plan to attend using an APS award;
  • enroll in:
    • at least 12 credits for each semester of their freshman year to receive a full-time study award; or
    • at least 6 credits to receive a prorated half-time study award; or
    • a qualifying clock-hour CTE program; and
  • have unmet costs of attendance of $500 or more after considering all other non-loan aid, such as grants and other scholarships.

Timeline

Activity

Notes for Students

Jan 1 through Jun 30, 2012

Apply by the June 30 deadline.

Be sure to file the 2012-2013 FAFSA (not the 2011-2012 FAFSA). Apply early (by February 15) to be considered for additional aid programs with the same application.

Log on to the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) to verify if your application has been received. If you apply via the FAFSA on the Web, your information should be available on ASAP within five business days.
 

Aug 2012

Individual students’ high school eligibility status is available in ASAP.

Alaska school districts are required to report each student’s eligibility information to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). 

 

Late Aug - early Sept 2012

Postsecondary schools will certify students with APS-qualifying enrollment.

Awards to students certified after the certification period are contingent upon funding availability. Be sure that, prior to school certification:

  • your ASAP record lists the correct school you plan to attend. By default, this is the school you list first on your FAFSA or alternate application. You can process an institution transfer request in ASAP if you need to change the institution listed.
  • you have been admitted to a qualifying degree or certificate program at the school you plan to attend for the 2011-2012 academic year. For questions about admissions, contact your school's registrar office.
  • you are enrolled in the appropriate program or number of credits by your school’s enrollment deadline. 
 

Sept 1 - 30, 2012

Schools may begin requesting APS disbursements on behalf of their APS-eligible students.

APS award are disbursed to schools in two payments, usually 50% of the award when the student begins attendance, and the other 50% at the start of the next term or midpoint of a CTE program.  Generally, your school will first apply your APS funds to any outstanding school debt for that year, and then pay any remaining funds to you. 

Work with your financial aid office to ensure you meet all payment deadlines.
 Continuing to Receive Award Disbursements

Students can receive up to eight semesters (four years) of Alaska Performance Scholarship aid, as long as they fully use all eight semesters of award within six years of high school graduation and meet all continuing eligibility requirements. To continue to receive the scholarship, students need to:

  • file a new FAFSA or approved alternate application by the deadline of June 30 each year;
  • continue to be enrolled in a sufficient number of credits or clock hours in a qualifying program of study;
  • continue to have unmet costs of attendance of $500 or more after considering all other non-loan aid; and
  • meet the annual satisfactory academic progress requirements, including number of credits earned and GPA applicable to your postsecondary grade level.

Satisfactory academic progress requirements for APS recipients include:

  • During your 1st year of college as an APS-recipient:
    • complete 24 semester credits or equivalent for full-time students (12 for half-time students receiving a prorated award)
    • achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • During your subsequent years of college as an APS-recipient:
    • complete 30 semester credits or equivalent for full-time students (15 for half-time students receiving a prorated award)
    • achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • As a graduate student:
    • achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

You must also meet any satisfactory academic progress requirements defined by your postsecondary institution and program.