Financial Aid in Alaska (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, Alaska's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
Alaska FAFSA deadline for state aid
Alaska Education Grant: as soon as possible after the FAFSA opens (funds are limited). Alaska Performance Scholarship: June 30, 2026 for priority consideration.
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
Alaska grant programs
Alaska Performance Scholarship
Merit award with three tiers based on your high school GPA, curriculum, and test scores, usable at Alaska institutions.
Alaska Education Grant
Need-based grant for Alaska residents in certificate or degree programs, awarded first-come, first-served.
Administered by Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for Alaska students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches Alaskastudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in Alaska?
For 2026–27 state aid: Alaska Education Grant: as soon as possible after the FAFSA opens (funds are limited). Alaska Performance Scholarship: June 30, 2026 for priority consideration. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does Alaska offer?
Alaska Performance Scholarship: Merit award with three tiers based on your high school GPA, curriculum, and test scores, usable at Alaska institutions. Alaska Education Grant: Need-based grant for Alaska residents in certificate or degree programs, awarded first-come, first-served. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a Alaska resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in Alaska?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.