AlaskAdvantageTM Education Grant The AlaskAdvantage Education Grant program was created by the Alaska legislature to provide financial assistance to eligible Alaska students attending qualifying postsecondary educational institutions in Alaska. The program was specifically designed to set aside a portion of available grant funds as priority awards for applicants enrolled in qualifying workforce shortage programs, and for applicants demonstrating exceptional academic preparation for higher education (as documented by top quartile SAT or ACT scores). The AlaskAdvantage Education Grant is a need-based program funded by the Alaska Student Loan Corporation, which provides the state match dollars required for participation in the federal LEAP program (Leverage Educational Assistance Partnership Program). Grant awards range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $2,000 per academic year for students who have qualifying unmet financial need. All Alaska residents who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15th of each year, and who list at least one qualifying Alaska institution of higher education, will be considered as having applied for the grant program. Qualifying applicants will be prioritized based on financial need. Students with the highest financial need will be awarded in order of need until funds are exhausted. All applicants must complete a new FAFSA each year. Eligibility Alaska resident and U. S. citizen or permanent resident alien High school diploma or GED Admitted into an undergraduate degree or vocational certificate program at a qualifying institution in the state of Alaska Minimum half-time enrollment Unmet financial need in excess of $500 Not have earned a baccalaureate degree Meet satisfactory academic progress standards Eligible for federal Title IV aid How to Apply Please note that receiving a grant award in one year does not guarantee that you will receive an award in subsequent years. In order to be considered eligible each year you must: Complete a federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between January 1st and April 15th. FAFSAs submitted after the April 15th filing deadline will not be considered. You can complete the FAFSA on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If the Student Aid Report (SAR) generated from your FAFSA shows you meet the residency and financial need requirements, the Commission will notify you of your potential eligibility. Note that you may be required to submit supplemental information for the purpose of determining your award eligibility. Your school will certify that you are admitted and otherwise eligible. Be sure to apply and enroll as early in the year as possible. Each year, the Commission will process certified grant applications and notify your school if you have been awarded an AlaskAdvantage Education Grant. 2008/09 Qualifying Workforce Shortage Programs: Allied health sciences; Community or social service; and Teaching; and Process industries/natural resources extraction support