Award: Varies depending on annual budget; multiple recipients per year.

KEF offers merit-based scholarships to Alaska Native Koniag Shareholders and registered Descendants.  These scholarships are competitive and are scored by an independent scholarship review committee. While all eligible applicants will receive funds, those applicants with the highest application and GPA scores, will receive the highest amounts. KEF is a private nonprofit and the IRS regulations require that all scholarship funds must be disbursed directly to the university and cannot be applied to accounts in arrears (past due). Applications must be time-stamped by the posted deadline Alaska Standard Time, late applications will not be considered.

Basic Requirements:

• Applicants must be Alaska Native Koniag Shareholders or registered Descendants (may be adopted) of the Koniag Region.
• Students are required to have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5  and make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the institution. However, KEF does have a Step-Up program that allows students with less than a 2.5 to receive a scholarship for up to one school year to meet this requirement.
• Applicants who are not currently enrolled as a Koniag Shareholder or a registered Descendant must apply with Koniag Shareholder Relations.  Please contact Koniag Regional Corporation or KEF for assistance.
• Members of the Koniag Education Foundation Board of Directors and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply for KEF scholarships or grants.
• Be accepted or attending an accredited college for a minimum of 6 credits/units (2 classes) per term.
• Must have attained a high school diploma or GED by May 31 of application year.
• Must meet all other KEF eligibility requirements and be in good standing with KEF's programs.

What Will I Need to Complete the Application?

1. Your Koniag Shareholder or Descendant ID number.
2. A recent resume with employment history, school activities, volunteer/community service, awards/honors, and any additional education/training. (2-page maximum)
3. Most recent high school, GED, or college transcript(s). If you have attended two or more colleges, provide the averaged cumulative GPA.
4. The essay is the most important piece of your application.  Please stay on topic as you are being scored on answering each . Ensure your spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct. This essay should be 500 words minimum, two pages maximum. In your essay, describe each of the following:

a. What makes you a good candidate for this scholarship?
b. A brief personal and family history including how you or your family are connected to Kodiak Island.
c. Career and educational goals
d. Community and/or volunteer activities

ALSO

e. If you are a returning student answer a. through d. AND also share what you have learned during the past school year. For example, what were your triumphs and accomplishments? Did you have challenges or setbacks and how did you overcome them?

f. If you are a Step-Up student or probationary student (currently have lower than a 2.5 cumulative GPA), answer a. through d. AND describe the steps you plan to take to improve yourself as a student and your GPA.

5. Letter of Recommendation:
New applicants are required to provide one letter of recommendation (LOR) which must be signed, dated and less than one year from the close of the scholarship date. The letter(s) can be from an employer, teacher, coach, etc. but not a family member. The recommender should indicate how long they have known the applicant, how they know them, and speak directly to the student's ability to successfully complete their degree program. Continuing students (those who received a KEF General in the previous academic year) are not required to resubmit an LOR.

6. A recent headshot photo.