Information for High School Administrators

Each eligible high school in Alaska is responsible for notifying the UA Scholars Program about the students who qualify for the UA Scholars Award through the "Designation Process" which takes place from May 1 - October 1 each year. 

The Award is a distinguished honor and your students look forward to the recognition. It represents their superlative academic record of achievement and effort. Many will use the distinction to obtain additional scholarships, as a resume builder, or even part of their college application.

Each high school principal is required to appoint one professional staff member to serve as the UA Scholars authorized representative who will be responsible for completing the online designation process. Review the Program Information Booklet every year before completing the designation process.

The accuracy of your list is extremely important! Check and double-check your list before submitting it. Your students are counting on you!

Complete the online designation process before school closes for the summer. Eligibility for the UA Scholars Award is based on academic standing at the end of the junior year. If you currently have no juniors, complete the online process indicating that you have no students in your junior class.

How To Designate

Each high school principal is required to appoint one professional staff member to serve as the UA Scholars authorized representative who will be responsible for completing the online designation process. To get started watch the web-based training and review the Program Information Booklet every year before completing the designation process.

The accuracy of your list is extremely important! Check and double-check your list before submitting it. Your students are counting on you!

Complete the online designation process before school closes for the summer.  Eligibility for the UA Scholars Award is based on academic standing at the end of the junior year. If you currently have no juniors, complete the online process indicating that you have no students in your junior class.

 Web-based Training

We offer an annual web-based training for the high school staff responsible for designating UA Scholars. The training provides:

• Important updates about the program
• Program guidelines and high school responsibilities
• Important dates and deadlines

We encourage everyone to watch the training before starting the designation process. Click here to view the training.

Notification of Award

After reviewing the submitted designation lists, the Program Administrator will send each Scholar an Award letter. Official notification of the Award must come from the UA Scholars Program Administrator. Students, parents and high school officials must not rely on any other source of information about the issuance of an Award.

Certificates

Each year in late April, we mail all high schools the UA Scholar certificates of recognition to school counselors. We encourage you to present the certificates to your UA Scholars at your awards or graduation ceremonies.

Appeals and Reconsiderations

Students who were not designated at the end of their junior year, but are in the top 10 percent of their class after all grades are posted at the end of their senior year, may submit a written request for Eligibility Reconsideration to the UA Scholars Program Administrator. The request must be made by the student and must include:

1. a letter requesting an Eligibility Reconsideration signed by the student (or parent/guardian if the student is a minor) and
2. an official transcript indicating the student’s final class ranking among the graduating class.

Any student requesting an Eligibility Reconsideration must submit all documentation to the Program Administrator no later than six months after graduation. The Program Administrator will inform the student of the outcome in writing. All determinations by the Program Administrator are final. Scholars granted Awards under this provision must also comply with the Obligations of the Scholar, except they may apply for admission later than May 1, but no later than 30 days from the date of the written Award notice.

Important Dates & Deadlines

• May 1 - Designation letters mailed to High School Principals
• May 1 - UA Scholar Deadline to Apply for Admission
• October 1 - Deadline to Designate UA Scholars
• October 1 - FAFSA filing period opens
• November - Encourage UA Scholars to reserve their Award by applying to UA
• February 15 - UA Foundation and Merit Scholarship deadline (All need to have completed FAFSA and scholarship application on file).