Financial Aid

Alaska's vast landscapes and remote communities make aviation an essential part of everyday life. The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Aviation Scholarship aims to support aspiring pilots and aviation professionals who are passionate about contributing to Alaska's unique and vital aviation industry.

This scholarship is open to Ketchikan residents pursuing a career in aviation, whether through flight training, aviation mechanics, air traffic control, or other related fields. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to aviation, academic achievement, and a desire to serve the Alaskan community through their career. Preference will be given to individuals who indicate that they intend to make a home in Ketchikan.

Award Details:

1. One time award of $750.00 per academic/apprentice year, winner has the ability to re-apply
2. Funds may be used for tuition, flight training, or other educational expenses related to aviation training
3. Due not later than April 30th, 2025

Investing in the Future of Ketchikan's Trades Workforce

Building the Future—One Skilled Worker at a Time

Ketchikan's construction industry depends on hardworking, skilled professionals to build and maintain the infrastructure that keeps our communities thriving. The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Construction Trades Scholarship is dedicated to supporting individuals pursuing careers in the construction trades, helping to ensure a strong and capable workforce for the future.

This scholarship is open to Ketchikan residents who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a construction-related trade program, apprenticeship, or technical school. Eligible fields include carpentry, welding, electrical work, plumbing, heavy equipment operation, masonry, and other construction-related professions. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for the construction industry and a commitment to excellence in their trade.

Award Details:

1. One time award of $750.00 per academic/apprentice year, winner is encouraged to re-apply
2. Funds may be used for tuition, training, or other educational expenses related to construction training (note: uniforms, tools, books, et al)
3. Due not later than April 30th, 2025

Description

Investing in the Future of Ketchikan's Healthcare Workforce

Alaska's healthcare system relies on dedicated professionals committed to serving our communities. The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Careers Scholarship is designed to support students pursuing careers in healthcare, helping to build a strong and skilled workforce for the future.

This scholarship is open to Ketchikan residents who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a healthcare-related program, including nursing, medical assisting, pharmacy, physical therapy, behavioral health, and other healthcare fields. Applicants should demonstrate academic achievement, a commitment to patient care, and a passion for serving their community. Preference will be given to individuals who indicate that they intend to make a home in Ketchikan.

Award Details:

1. One time award of $750.00 per academic/apprentice year, winner is encouraged to re-apply
2. Funds may be used for tuition, training, or other educational expenses related to medical training (note: uniforms, et al)
3. Applications due not later than April 30th, 2025

Investing in the Future of Ketchikan's Maritime Workforce

Supporting the Next Generation of Alaska's Maritime Workforce

As a coastal community with a deep-rooted maritime heritage, Ketchikan depends on skilled professionals to sustain its thriving marine industries. The Ketchikan Maritime Careers Scholarship is designed to support local students pursuing careers in maritime fields, ensuring a strong future for Alaska's maritime workforce.

This scholarship is open to Ketchikan residents who are enrolled or planning to enroll in a maritime-related program, including marine engineering, vessel operations, shipbuilding, fisheries, ocean sciences, or related fields. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for the maritime industry and a commitment to contributing to Ketchikan's working waterfront.Preference will be given to individuals who indicate that they intend to make a home in Ketchikan.

Award Details:

1. One time award of $750.00 per academic/apprentice year, winner is encouraged to re-apply
2. Funds may be used for tuition, training, or other educational expenses related to maritime training (note: uniforms, books, et al)
3. Due not later than April 30th, 2025

This scholarship will be awarded to two students in the amount of $2500 each.  

Dr. Joseph Shields, better known to everyone in Ketchikan as Joe, was a talented and gifted orthopedic surgeon who devoted 17 years of his career to Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska. Not only was he a doctor to the community, but also a friend to many in Ketchikan. He arrived in Ketchikan in 1975 to start the first orthopedic surgery practice in town. For many years of his practice, Dr. Shields was the only orthopedic surgeon in southern Southeast Alaska.

Dr. Shields was born in Delaware and spent his childhood on a Maryland farm. He completed his undergraduate education at Johns Hopkins University, graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1965. He interned at Bethesda Naval Hospital at Pensacola, Florida. His interest in orthopedics developed while practicing family medicine in California. He completed an orthopedic residency program at Gorgas Hospital, Canal Zone, a 450 bed United States Government hospital facility. He had a strong interest in children's illnesses and his work in Panama was particularly fulfilling for him.

Joe was an inspiration around town. He was a part of the Ketchikan community for 17 years. There was a great sense of loss when he died. He left behind the legacy of a competent, talented and caring physician, an independent thinker and a man who accepted only excellence as his standard of medicine.

After Joe's death in 1996, his father, Joseph Shields Sr., made a generous donation in his name to be used for scholarships.

The UAS Ketchikan Tuition Waiver Scholarship is offering the course BIOL S193P Green Crab Invasion:  Field-Based Community Action beginning June 6, 2025.  This 1-credit course will explore European Green Crab (ECG) and include field data collection and monitoring.  The UAS Ketchikan Campus has a limited number of Tuition Waiver Awards available to students interested in registering for the course, with priority award consideration given to dual-enrollment Ketchikan area high school students.  For more information on this course and to register, please go to ketch.alaska.edu or call 907.228.4511 or come to the Ziegler Building front desk 2600 Seventh Ave., Ketchikan for a paper registration form.  

A tuition waiver scholarship is a credit toward tuition, it is not a cash scholarship. A tuition waiver does not cover fees or books (which will come to approximately $38; this course does not require purchase of text books). 

We are pleased to provide this opportunity for additional financial assistance to help fund education at UAS Ketchikan and encourage you to speak with an advisor about other funding opportunities.

To ensure full consideration for this award ,applications must be submitted by May 5, 2025. Late Applications will be considered based on availability of funding.

2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR

The scholarship program provides supplementary scholarship assistance to KIC enrolled members pursuing postsecondary degrees. Students must apply each year to be considered.

UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Full-time 12 or more credits,
Up to $7,000 per academic year

9 or more credits,
Up to $8,500 per academic year

Part-time Up to 11 credits,
Up to $4,500 per academic year

Up to 8 credits,
Up to $6,000 per academic year

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
In addition to the eligibility requirements below, Merit scholarship applicants should demonstrate a commitment to providing leadership in Native communities. Two merit scholarships are awarded each year from the May deadline. Scholarship recipients are selected by a three person committee using the applicant’s transcript and essay with personal identifying information redacted. Merit applicants not selected are considered for the regular scholarship.

Full-time Up to $12,000 per academic year
Part-time Up to $6,000 per academic year

The UAS Ketchikan Tuition Waiver Scholarship is offered to UAS Ketchikan students. A tuition waiver scholarship is a credit toward tuition, it is not a cash scholarship. A tuition waiver does not cover fees or books. This award is only applicable toward courses delivered through the Ketchikan Campus (including face-to-face and online classes through the Ketchikan Campus, and some courses offered in other communities in Southeast Alaska by Ketchikan Campus instructors).

We are pleased to provide this opportunity for additional financial assistance to help fund education at UAS Ketchikan and encourage you to explore our Financial Aid site about other funding opportunities, and to call the Ketchikan Campus at 907-228-4511 with any questions.

To ensure full consideration for a Summer 2025 award, applications must be submitted by midnight on Monday May 12, 2025.  All applications, including late applications, will be considered based on availability of funding. Funding is limited and tends to run out quickly.  

2025-2026 Academic Year Awards. University of Alaska Foundation scholarships are available to students attending any campus of the University of Alaska (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Southeast, and all community campuses). Applications for Ketchikan sponsored scholarships must be received by July 15, 2025. 

We’re now using Kaleidoscope to make the scholarship application process easier. You will need to apply for University of Alaska General Scholarship and you’ll automatically be matched with scholarships you qualify for and receive notification of any additional awards for which you can be considered. Apply now for upcoming awards.

How to apply for Alaska General Scholarship:  Click on the "View Application" link on this page.  

The Lund Scholarship Foundation provides Ketchikan-area high school graduates or GED recipients funding for maritime classroom training and education. The submission deadlines on the application (June 15 for fall semester/December 1 for spring semester) are exclusive to the Cal Maritime program.

UAS Applicants should apply for the scholarship at least thirty days prior to beginning a course of study/training. All individuals must present with a letter indicating the intent for the scholarship request along with a letter of acceptance or proof of registration.

PITAAS is a teacher preparation program for Alaska Natives at the University of Alaska Southeast. Freshmen and sophomore students interested in the program are eligible for scholarships towards language and culture classes at UAS.