Award: Varies depending on annual budget; multiple recipients per year.
Deadline: October 31, 2023 (Funding for Spring 2024)

KEF offers merit-based scholarships to 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 Time.

Basic Requirements:

• Applicants must be Alaska Native Shareholders or registered Descendants (may be adopted) of the Koniag Region.
• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required. Please contact our office if your GPA is below a 2.5 to discuss your options.
• All applicants who are not currently enrolled in the Koniag Descendant or Shareholder database must complete the Descendant database form and submit the form to Shareholder Relations at Koniag. Please contact 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 enrolled or accepted into an accredited college for a minimum of 6 credits/units 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 other programs.

What Will I Need to Complete the Application?

1. Your Koniag Shareholder or registered 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 most recent transcripts from both.
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. Include your full name at the top of each page of your essay. This essay should be 500 words minimum, two pages maximum. In your essay, describe each of the following:

a. A brief personal and family history including how you or your family is connected to Kodiak Island.
b. Career and educational goals
c. Community and/or family involvement
d. Volunteer activities/awards

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 challenges or setbacks and how did you overcome them? What were your triumphs or accomplishments?

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. One letter of recommendation (LOR's) is required for all new KEF General students. The recommender should write specifically about the scholarship which you are applying for. All LOR's must be signed, dated, and not be more than one year old or your application will receive a point reduction, resulting in a smaller award. 

6. A recent headshot photo of yourself that you would use in a professional capacity.