Alaska Performance Scholarship — Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is a state merit award for residents who graduate from an Alaska high school. It is not an open scholarship application filled out at the end of senior year: eligibility depends on completing one of the approved rigorous high-school curricula and reaching a minimum GPA or qualifying test score. ACPE lists three levels worth up to $3,500, $5,250 or $7,000 a year; students may receive up to eight full-time disbursements, capped at $28,000 total, and must use the award within eight years of graduation.

Coursework is central. ACPE tells students to review the approved course options and APS Checklist with a school counselor before choosing classes; a high GPA alone does not replace required courses. Students graduating from private school or home school must have the Alaska Department of Education determine eligibility and submit the supporting request by July 15 for review before the upcoming award year. The current table connects award levels with GPAs of 3.5, 3.0 and 2.5 and ACT, SAT or WorkKeys alternatives; use the official checklist to confirm the precise combination and which classes count.

To receive the first award, you must be admitted to an eligible degree or certificate program at a participating provider, have at least $500 in unmet cost of attendance after other non-loan aid and tell the campus before its certification deadline that you plan to use APS. FAFSA is due by June 30 for the academic year; if a non-Title-IV school does not receive FAFSA, use the alternative application in the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP). The award is paid to the institution in two installments each year. A high-level award may be smaller if other grants have already reduced the calculated need.

Renewal requires the campus’s satisfactory academic progress standard, at least $500 in unmet cost of attendance and minimum credits. The published first-year college benchmark is generally 24 credits for full-time students; in later years it is 30. Half-time students have prorated credit and award requirements, while some non-credit certificate programs use attendance hours. ASAP tracks the level reported by the school district, usage and continuing eligibility. APS Step-Up can raise a level after specified credit loads and GPA; ask ACPE how summer classes or a break in enrollment affect the count before making a change.

Open responses in ACPE’s 2025 outcomes report show varied student perspectives: some respondents said the award helped them stay in Alaska or avoid loans; others did not know about it or chose an out-of-state college. The survey cannot promise that APS will cover a whole degree or replace an individual account review. For planning, confirm the amount left after Pell and scholarships, then add housing, meals, transportation, materials and enrollment dates. ACPE answers questions at 800-441-2962 and acpe@alaska.gov; customer-service hours vary on Wednesdays. Contact the school district about curriculum or a reported GPA.