What is Financial Aid?
Financial Aid is funding that helps pay for college. Nearly all APU students get some type of Financial Aid and some students get a lot. Learning about what financial aid you may be eligible for helps to estimate the cost to the student.
Financial aid comes in many forms and sources. Grants and scholarships do not need to be paid back. Loans are required to be paid back. Aid may be awarded from the Federal or State government, Alaska Pacific University, or many other outside sources. APU awards out many scholarships to students. We help match scholarships based on financial need, academic achievement, interest areas, and other criteria. Aid can cover tuition and fees, and some aid covers additional expenses like housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and related expenses like a computer.

Cost of Attendance vs. Direct Costs
The Cost of Attendance includes all tuition, fees, and an estimated amount for indirect costs such as housing, food, books, transportation, and other expenses. The Cost of Attendance must be estimated and published. Direct costs include Tuition and Fees, which is the amount for classes and instruction. Many scholarships and most governmental aid covers up to the cost of attendance. Some scholarships are limited to tuition or the direct costs of tuition and fees.
Applying for APU Scholarships
Find the financial aid that fits!
There are many scholarship options for prospective students. APU offers Criteria Scholarships that are simply awarded to students who meet the criteria. Examples of these are found along the left-hand side of this page and include scholarships like the Merit, Alaska, and Restart Scholarship, to name a few.
APU also provides Selective Donor Scholarships that are funded by individual donors or organizations and cover a wide range of requirements. Some examples include being Alaska Native, an outdoor studies or environmental science student, or a nordic skier, though there are many other categories. There’s over 40 scholarships available, so make sure you check them out.
Lastly, there are External Scholarships like the Alaska Performance Scholarship and Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarships, amongst thousands of others. You can check out a list APU created, though there are many more out there.
Important Scholarship Information
Stay informed about important financial aid deadlines, scholarship opportunities, and program updates. This page serves as a central location for time-sensitive announcements, key dates, and other important information related to Financial Aid & Scholarships to help you stay on track throughout the academic year.
Merit Scholarships
Who can apply: Undergraduate Students, including transfer students.
How to apply: We only need your application for admission to APU and results of the FAFSA.
When to complete: APU has rolling admissions, you will be considered at the time of your application.
We value hard work in the classroom. You will be considered based on your high school grades or your transfer college grades.
Merit Scholarships for Full-Time Undergraduates
| Name | GPA for eligibility | Amount | Renewal up to 5 years total attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atwood Distinguished | 3.85 | $7,000 | 2.75 & 24 credits |
| Atwood Performance | 3.50 | $5,000 | 2.75 & 24 credits |
| Leah J Peterson Trustee | 3.00 | $2,500 | 2.75 & 24 credits |
| Leah J Peterson Aspire | 2.75 | $1,500 | SAP- 2.0 +67% complete |
Merit Scholarships for Part-Time Undergraduates
| Name | GPA for eligibility | Part-time award 6-11 credits/sem | Renewal up to 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-time Scholar | 3.0+ | $1,500 | SAP- 2.0 +67% complete |
Shel ch’naq’ahnilu Scholarship
Who can apply: Undergraduate and Graduate students who are Alaska Native or American Indian from the United States or Canada.
Scholarship is pending federal clarification which may impact issuing awards for Fall 2025.
How to apply: Fill out the APU One Application (OneApp), your self-designation will allow for document upload. Make sure you have completed the applicable FAFSA. Our federal school code for the FAFSA is 001061.
When to complete: APU has rolling admissions, you will be considered at the time of your application.
APU’s Founder Peter Gordon Gould was an Unangax from the village of Unga in the Aleutian Islands a recognized a strong need “for Indigenous leadership reared, educated and trained in Alaska for Alaska”. In honor of his vision, APU awards the Shel ch’naq’ahnilu Scholarship to Alaska Native students. With this being said, this scholarship is under review due to the Presidential Administration’s latest executive orders. We will update as soon as we have more clarity.
Alaska Scholarship
Who can apply: Undergraduate and Graduate students.
How to apply: We only need your application for admission to APU.
When to complete: APU has rolling admissions, you will be considered at the time of your application.
Continuing Founder Peter Gordon Gould’s generous spirit, all Alaska residents are eligible for a scholarship in our quest to educate in Alaska for Alaska.
On Campus Community Scholarship
Who can apply: Undergraduate and Graduate students living in campus housing at APU.
How to apply: A scholarship will be applied when you are accepted for housing.
When to complete: APU has rolling admissions, you will be considered at the time of housing assignments.
APU provides a supportive and enriching on-campus atmosphere. On average, undergraduate student who live on campus achieve higher grades and retention rates than those off campus. Our on-campus community scholarship encourages high academic success through rewarding those that choose to join our on-campus community.
Promise Tuition Grant & Gap Scholarship
Who can apply: Undergraduate Students.
How to apply: Complete the FAFSA and fill out the APU One Application (OneApp), information from your FAFSA will be used to determine eligibility.
When to complete: APU has rolling admissions, you will be considered after we receive information from your FAFSA. Final amount will be applied after all federal, state and APU scholarships are applied.
APU is committed to making our quality education accessible to all students. Students who are eligible for the federal Pell grant are eligible for additional support through APU. Students with the greatest financial need, evidenced by eligibility for a full federal Pell grant, are assured no-tuition cost to the student. After all Federal, state, and APU scholarships are applied, need based scholarships will be considered. Gap eligible students are awarded up-to $3,000. The Promise tuition grant covers all remaining tuition.
Outside scholarships that allow funding to the full cost of attendance, including housing and other costs, will not impact the amount of a promise grant unless the maximum cost of attendance is met.
Restart Scholarship
Who can apply: This one-time scholarship is available to students who have stopped out of APU for two consecutive semesters but have not yet earned a degree.
How to Apply: Complete the OneAPP and request to be considered for the Restart Scholarship, your previous APU transcript will be used to determine eligibility.
When to Apply: As soon as you are admitted to APU.
NOTE: The Restart Scholarship will not be awarded simultaneously with a merit scholarship.
APU Selective Scholarships
Who can apply: Undergraduate and Graduate students. Several scholarships will be considered through the OneApp. You will be matched with the scholarships that you qualify and will be considered by a committee for these selective scholarships.
How to apply: Fill out the Alaska Pacific University One Application (OneApp) and any extra documents requested.
When to complete: After you’re admitted to APU. The application opens February 1. There are three awarding periods. Initial deadline is April 15. Second round will be awarded July 1 and final consideration will be closed August 15.
APU Partner Scholarships
Who can apply: Undergraduate and Graduate students.
Alaska Pacific University offers a scholarship for current employees, board members, and dependents of the Alaska Tribal Health System and a matching scholarship for current ANTHC employees and dependents. Additional documentation may be required.
How to apply: Fill out the APU OneApp and complete the Partner Scholarship portion. You will need to provide an email for your employer to verify your employment.
When to complete: Complete the APU OneApp after acceptance to APU.
Partners:
APU Program Scholarships
Who can apply: Undergraduate and Graduate by invitation.
How to apply: Program grants are specific to each department or program. Some require an invitation to apply, others are open and all students that meet criteria will be invited. Program grants will applied for within the APU OneApp as an additional invitation after the basic app is completed.
External Funding Options
We encourage students to pursue multiple sources for funding a college education. Make time to do this! You can search for scholarships year-round, but keep in mind that you’ll find more application deadlines take place in the winter and early spring. Click the link below to view our curated list of external scholarship resources.
Alaska Pacific University One Application
Thanks to many donors, APU awards many additional scholarships. The Alaska Pacific University One Application (OneApp) is a one-stop shop for applying to most scholarships at APU. You will need to be an admitted student in order to apply to APU scholarships and will need to use your APU login credentials to access the OneApp. Most scholarships will be considered with the completion of the basic application, but some scholarships may require additional materials like letters of recommendations, employment verification, or additional essay questions. Completion of the FAFSA is required for consideration of scholarships through the One Application.
If you need assistance please email admissions@alaskapacific.edu or call 907-564-8248.
Alaska Scholarships
Alaska Community Foundation Scholarship
- Offers: A wide range of scholarship opportunities
- Eligibility: For Alaska students pursuing educational and career goals, from technology education to nursing
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS)
- Offers: Three scholarship levels with differing GPA or SAT/ACT/Workkeys test scores, and curriculum qualifications
- Eligibility: Alaska high school graduates, must be Alaska resident
- Amount: $3,000–$7,000/year; $28,000 max
- Deadline: Varies
Alaska Space Grant Program Scholarship
- Offers: A variety of scholarships and fellowships
- Eligibility: For students (U.S. citizens) majoring in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics)
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
The American Legion Department of Alaska Scholarships
- Offers: A variety of scholarships
- Eligibility: Varies according to specific scholarship.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
Bill Countryman Scholarship
- Offers: Bill Countryman Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: For qualified Alaskan applicants
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Application period is January 1-April 1 each year
Mat-Su Health Foundation Scholarships
- Offers: Scholarships for degrees and certificates in health and human services
- Eligibility: For residents of the Mat-Su Borough
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
P.E.O. Sisterhood – Philanthropic Educational Organization
- Offers: A variety of scholarships
- Eligibility: For women who are U.S. or Canadian citizens or legal permanent residents. See P.E.O. website for more eligibility requirements for each scholarship.



