About the Alaska Performance Scholarship
Understanding the Alaska Performance Scholarship
The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) is a state-funded, merit-based award designed to help Alaska high school graduates pursue higher education or career training within the state. The scholarship is available to Alaska residents who graduate from an Alaska high school and who meet qualifying requirements including completing a rigorous high school curriculum. The APS can be used at participating colleges, universities, and approved career and technical education programs throughout Alaska, with funds disbursed directly to the postsecondary institution.
For the Class of 2024 and beyond, APS levels are based on either a student's high school GPA or their score on a college-entrance or career-readiness examination. Students must complete specific coursework in math, science, social studies, and language arts, with two curriculum pathway options available. Parents should work closely with their student's high school counselor to ensure their child is taking the right courses and staying on track, as eligibility is determined by data reported through the school district.
There are three maximum award levels: $7,000 a year, $5,250 a year, and $3,500 a year. APS recipients may remain eligible for up to the equivalent of eight full-time semesters of enrollment within eight years of graduating from high school. To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30 of each year they plan to use the award. For more details, visit aps.alaska.gov.
KPBSD Resources
KPBSD makes it easy for students to track their progress toward APS eligibility through the APS Progress Monitoring tool, available in the PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal. After logging in with your KPBSD credentials, simply click the "APS Scholarship" button in the left navigation menu to view your status. The tool provides an at-a-glance summary showing whether you currently qualify and at what award level.
The progress monitoring screen displays two key areas: GPA and test score status at the top, and curriculum completion progress below. Checkmarks indicate requirements you've met, and qualifying award levels are highlighted for easy reference. The curriculum section shows completed courses in green and lists any courses you're currently enrolled in that will count toward requirements once passed. This means you still have opportunities to increase your award level by improving your GPA before graduation. If you believe you qualify for a level not shown in the tool, please contact your school counselor for assistance.
More details can be found in the Using the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) Progress Monitoring Tool article (note: you will be prompted to login with your student credentials to view this article).