May 8, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 8, 2025
985 Alaska High School Seniors Recognized with 㽶ƵScholars Award
Each Receives a $15,000 Scholarship
(Anchorage, AK) – The University of Alaska (UA) has named 985 graduating seniors from 289 Alaska high schools as 2025 㽶ƵScholars. Each student ranks in the top 10% of their class and will receive a $15,000 scholarship to attend any University of Alaska campus.
Established in 1999, the 㽶ƵScholars Award encourages Alaska’s best and brightest to pursue higher education in-state. Since then, the program has helped thousands of students earn more than 8,500 degrees and launch successful careers across Alaska.
“The 㽶ƵScholars program continues to celebrate excellence from every corner of Alaska,” said 㽶ƵPresident Pat Pitney. “We’re proud to support these students as they build their futures here at home.”
Alumni of the program often credit the scholarship with making higher education both accessible and meaningful. "It was a really important moment in my life that allowed me to go to college, stay close to home, and create more financial stability for myself," said Amber Zins, COO at Northrim Bank, UAF ‘03, Accounting graduate.
“Being a 㽶ƵScholar really was instrumental in giving me that jumping off point for the career I knew I wanted,” said Dr. Sarah Nielsen, UAA ‘05, Nursing graduate. “It allowed me to return and serve the community I love.”
Recipients receive $1,875 per semester for up to eight semesters, and the award may be combined with other financial aid such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship and 㽶ƵFoundation Scholarships. The program is funded by the University of Alaska Land Grant Trust Fund.
A complete list of 2025 㽶ƵScholars is available online at and will be published in Alaska newspapers in May. For more information, visit.
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Media Contact:
Lael Oldmixon
㽶ƵScholars, Executive Director
lmoldmixon@alaska.edu
907-450-8115
Photos available by request