This purpose of this student initiated project is to create a sustainable scholarship incentive program for those who are likely to succeed in college and most in need of financial assistance to attend the University of Alaska. This type of financial aid, merit aid, is intended to be a peer to existing state needs-based and merit-based aid.

This innovative and essential program is to be named the Alaska Achievers Incentive Program (AAIP). Current legislation (H.B. 397) would enable the formation of the AAIP.

We requested that the state initially fund $20 million toward the creation of an endowment and the current language of the legislation that would finance the AAIP calls for $100 million. The intent is that the funding provided by H.B. 403 would be used to fund an endowment which will be able to self-sustain the AAIP.  Money from private contributors may then be sought and added to the endowment or the state may add to the endowment in the future.