Due to the impact of COVID-19, the Sealaska scholarship deadline has been extended to April 15.

The decision was precipitated by a number of shareholders and descendants who have lost their jobs due to the virus and who now want to go to school, according to Joe Nelson, Sealaska board chair and ex-officio trustee of Sealaska Heritage Institute.

“We are living in a time when we have to be nimble and respond wherever we can to people who are experiencing financial hardship because of the virus. This is one way that we can help,” Nelson said.

If a large number of new applications are received, additional funds may go into the program to cover the new awards. Due to the short turnaround and the fact that many schools are closed, applicants will be able to upload unofficial transcripts directly to the application.

Since 1981, Sealaska has been funding scholarships as part of our long-time commitment to education. Scholarship recipients have gone on to become scholars and leaders in our Sealaska communities and beyond — including board youth advisors, Alaska Native corporation executives, language scholars and more. To date, we have awarded approximately 11,000 scholarships totaling $16.4 million.

Did you know?

• Since last year, part-time students are now eligible for scholarships.
• Scholarships are awarded to students enrolled at vocational and technical schools, graduate schools, four-year colleges and other types of post-secondary programs.
• Descendants are eligible to apply — not just shareholders.
• Scholarships are funded by Sealaska and administered by Sealaska Heritage Institute.

More information is available at the shareholder portal MySealaska.com and Sealaska Heritage Institute also has information on our scholarships and others, including the Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for Alaska Schools (PITAAS) program.

Read more about our scholarship recipients and their amazing stories:

• Part-Time Scholarships opens doors to Tlingit culture and identity
• Scholarship Recipient Connects Back to Her Alaska Native Roots from Southern California
• Part-time scholarship recipient dreams big for career in the outdoors
• March Madness Shareholder Spotlight

Calling all former scholarship recipients!

Are you a former scholarship recipient? Or do you know someone who is? We want to hear from you! Reach out at webmaster@sealaska.com and let us know how education has shaped your journey. Be sure to include a photo!

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