Frequently Asked Questions

For the Class of 2024 and beyond FAQs coming soon.

Download General APS FAQs  Here

Ideally, students should start course planning to meet APS requirements in 7th or 8th grade to be prepared for the APS curriculum requirements that begin in high school. In junior high/middle school, students should work with their school counselor to create a schedule that prepares them for APS coursework that starts in 9th grade.

• 7th – 12th Grade
  1. Make a plan to complete the APS curriculum with your high school counselor. Review this plan EVERY YEAR.
  2. Start with the checklist for your class year (see below) and/or "My Course Plan" in your Alaska Career Information System (AKCIS) portfolio.
  3. Work to achieve the highest GPA you can.


• 11th & 12th Grade
  1. Prepare for and take the SAT and/or ACT test. Take it early, so you can retake it if you want to better your score. Also, explore your options based on WorkKeys scores.
  2. Students should work with their high school to ensure their test results will be received and recorded on their official transcript by June 30th in the year they are graduating.


• 12th Grade
  1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year soon after October 1 of your senior year.
     • The FAFSA is considered to be your APS application. Students must complete the FAFSA and select a participating Alaska postsecondary institution in order to receive the APS
  2. Create an account in to the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) to track your award eligibility status and its processing. APS eligibility information is available by mid-August following your high school graduation.

After meeting APS eligibility requirements, a student has 8 years to utilize the APS award after high school graduation, unless a student qualifies for an extension.

APS is paid directly to schools in two payments each year, once a student is admitted and enrolled in a program. Students can monitor their status in their Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) account.

An APS award may not exceed qualifying costs of attendance (which typically include tuition; fees; required books, supplies, and equipment; room and board; and transportation) remaining after considering all other non-loan aid the student is eligible for. Students may remain eligible for up to 8 semesters, but must fully use the APS within eight years of high school graduation. (see APS FAQs for full details)

To receive the first APS award, students must:

• Submit the FAFSA by June 30th deadline for the academic year you plan to attend
• Be admitted to a qualifying degree or certificate program at a participating Alaska institution;
• Notify your institution before the enrollment certification deadline that you plan to attend using an APS award;
• Enroll in at least 12 credits per term to receive a full-time award (6 credits per term for a reduced half-time award); or a qualifying clock-hour CTE program
• Have unmet costs of attendance of $500 or more after considering all other non-loan aid, such as grants and other scholarships.
• Create an Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) account and check it frequently to verify your application has been received

To maximize the number of awards you receive (Continuing Eligibility), remember:

You must meet continuing eligibility requirements (see APS FAQs for full details)

1. File a new FAFSA by June 30 each year;
2. Continue to enroll in a sufficient number of credits or clock hours;
3. Meet annual satisfactory academic progress requirements;
4. Continue to have unmet costs of attendance of $500 or more; and,
5. If enrolled in a certificate program, receive the certificate.

At a minimum, Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements include:

• Complete 24 semester credits or equivalent for full-time students (12 for half-time students receiving a prorated award)
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

During your subsequent years as an APS recipient:

• Complete 30 semester credits or equivalent for full-time students (15 for half-time students receiving a prorated award)
• Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

As a graduate student:

• Achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Complete 9 semester credits or equivalent for full time students (5 for half time students receiving a prorated award)
• You must also meet all requirements for satisfactory academic progress set by your institution, including requirements that may be higher.

To continue to receive the scholarship for a certificate program, students need to:

1. File a new FAFSA or approved alternate application by the deadline each year
2. Continue to be enrolled in a qualifying program of study
3. Meet the annual satisfactory academic progress requirements, including number of credits earned and GPA applicable to your postsecondary grade level

At a minimum, satisfactory academic progress requirements include: In a credit-based certificate program, earn:

• 24 semester credits for a full-time award
• 12 semester credits for a half-time award
• a 2.5+ cumulative GPA

In a non-credit based certificate program, attend:

• at least 30 clock hours per week for not less than 12 weeks for a full-time award
• at least 15 clock hours per week for not less than 6 weeks for a half-time award

You must also meet applicable satisfactory academic progress requirements of your postsecondary institution and program.

The Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) is where a student can review APS eligibility status and award level reported by their school district, track continuing eligibility and scholarship usage. APS eligibility information is available by mid-August following high school graduation. The student is the only person who may register for and access their ASAP account. Logging on to ASAP requires that a user affirm that the individual logging on is the student in question, so it is not possible for a parent to access ASAP on behalf of a child, even if your student is under 18.

Private / Homeschool Students Only

Students who are privately home-schooled or attend private schools must submit a request to the Department of Education and Early Development to determine their APS eligibility. The completed request form and all supporting documents must be submitted by July 15 for a determination prior to the upcoming APS award year.

Download the APS Private School/Homeschool Eligibility Determination Application Form

Don't forget - you must also complete the FAFSA by June 30 each year you plan to use the award!

Department of Education and Early Development Contact Information:

Felicia Swanson
Program Coordinator, APS Program
Tel: 907-465-2980
Fax: 907-465-8400
felicia.swanson@alaska.gov

• APS Frequently Asked Questions (Revised 8/30/2022)
  
  • Class of 2024 & Beyond FAQs COMING SOON!
• APS Checklist (Class of 2018-2023)
  
  • Class of 2024 & Beyond Checklist COMING SOON!
• APS Program Rules & Reports

• State Statute: AS 14.43.810-849. and AS 14.03.113
• ACPE Regulations: 20 AAC 16 Article 2
• Department of Education and Early Development Regulations: 4 AAC 43
• Department of Labor Regulations: 8 AAC 81