Koniag Angayuk (Partner) Scholarship & Internship

Award: $10,000.00 per year until completion of degree program; multiple recipients per year.
Deadline: Opens November 15 and closes February15 .

Purpose: Koniag has established an internship/scholarship program to seek out Koniag’s best and brightest Shareholders and Descendants to intern in Koniag’s offices or subsidiaries. Students participating in the internship will receive renewed funding of $10,000 annually until graduation, provided they successfully complete the annual summer internships, maintain full-time student status, and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. This award allows students to focus on their field of study and gain related work experience for a 6 to 10-week period during the summer while helping Koniag identify, cultivate, and encourage future leaders who wish to be part of the Koniag family. Students studying in a field that leads to a career with Koniag or a Koniag subsidiary (such as business, finance, accounting, engineering, or computer and IT) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Special Requirements: To qualify, students must be attending as a full-time student, have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, agree to intern in any one of Koniag’s offices or subsidiaries each summer while they are enrolled in their degree program, and be willing to relocate for a period of 6 to 10 weeks during the summer months. Students participating in the internship will receive renewed funding of $10,000 annually until graduation, provided they successfully complete the annual summer internships and maintain full-time student status and GPA requirements.

Additional Information
Please note that during the first year of their internship, students may work in the Anchorage and Kodiak offices to become acquainted with how Koniag operates and culturally connects with our community. In subsequent years, student interns may be placed in one of Koniag’s subsidiaries that closely matches their career field. Students will receive a salary during their internship. Koniag will also fund travel and lodging.
Previous Angayuk Scholarship recipients may apply for the scholarship again if they enroll in a new degree program (e.g., master’s degree, PhD program) and successfully complete the Angayuk program the first time they participated. Students may apply for this scholarship in conjunction with other KEF scholarships.

Required Documents
1) Two-Part Applicant Essay/Qualification Summary:
 In your essay, include:
a) A brief personal and family history including how you or your family is connected to Kodiak Island.
 b) A description of your community involvement and/or volunteer activities.
  c) Educational and career goals and how they align with working for Koniag in the future.

Qualification summary:

a) Talk about which Koniag sector you’re most interested in interning for and why. Choose from Government Contracting, Commercial IT, Energy & Water, Real Estate, or In-Region Investments. The more specific you are, the better. For information on Koniag’s sectors and subsidiaries, visit: https://www.koniag.com/our-investments/portfolio/.
b) Discuss the qualities that make you an ideal candidate for this internship.

2) Recent resume: Employment history, school activities, volunteer/community service, awards/honors, additional education/training. (2 pages maximum)

3) Most Recent Transcript:  You may upload a copy of your most recent unofficial transcript but must also provide an official transcript to be sent directly to KEF from your educational institution by the end of your spring term or June 30. The official transcript can be mailed directly from your college to 194 Alimaq Drive, Kodiak, AK 99615, ATTN: Scholarship Manager, or e-mailed to [email protected] through a secure electronic transcript delivery network.

4) Two Letters of Recommendation:
All Angayuk applicants must upload two letters of recommendation.
a) Must be from a teacher, faculty member, academic advisor, current/former employer, mentor, or an activity leader who knows you well and can reflect on your character, academic, scholastic, leadership ability, and potential for success in your chosen career field. Letters from family members are not accepted.
b) The recommender should explain their relationship to you and how long they have known you.
c) All letters must be signed and dated by the recommender.
d) Can not be over one year old from the scholarship’s due date.
e) Letters must specifically reference the applicant’s suitability for this internship. You will receive fewer points if you submit a generic recommendation letter.

5) Recent headshot photo.

*Because KEF is a private nonprofit, IRS regulations require that all scholarship funds must be sent directly to the college.

Award: Varies depending on annual budget; multiple recipients per year.
Opens December 15 and closes March 15 annually – (Funding for the following Fall and/or Winter, and/or Spring). This award must be applied for annually.

KEF offers merit-based scholarships to Koniag Shareholders and registered  Descendants who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree through an accredited educational institution. These scholarships are competitive and are scored by an independent scholarship review committee. While all eligible applicants will receive funds, the applicants with the highest scores, will receive the highest awards. Each portion of the application has a point value, including the students’ cumulative grade point average (GPA), therefore it is important to put forth maximum effort into the application.

Qualified applicants will also be eligible for an additional special scholarship without having to submit an application. The Godfrey, Parsons, Matfay, & Drabek special scholarships will be awarded to the students with the highest application points in each specified major. Please note that students who do not declare a major on the application will not be considered for these special scholarships.

KEF is a private nonprofit and the IRS regulations require that all scholarship funds must be disbursed directly to the university and cannot be applied to accounts in arrears (past due).

Online applications must be complete with all required documentation uploaded and submitted by the posted deadline. Late or incomplete/unsubmitted applications will not be considered.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a Koniag Shareholder or registered Descendant. If not a registered Descendant, applicant must submit a Shareholder Descendant application and be approved by Koniag Shareholder Records prior to any disbursement of award. The Descendant database form is located here (https://www.koniag.com/our-shareholders/records-forms/) . For more information, please e-mail [email protected] or call (800) 658-3818.
• Members of the Koniag Education Foundation Board of Directors and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply for KEF scholarships and grants.
• Must meet the GPA requirement which vary by award.
• Must be in good standing with KEF’s other scholarship programs (e.g., maintain communication, provide transcripts and/or proof of completion as required).

General Information & Requirements

• Award amounts vary annually depending upon availability of funds.
• Awarded funds are disbursed directly to the program or school and cannot be applied to accounts in arrears or directly to students.
• All writing is graded not only for content, but also spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. While it is permissible to have someone else proofread your work prior to submitting, the work you submit must be your own. It is not permissible for parents, guardians, etc. to apply on behalf of the student.
• Special Scholarships have additional requirements for field of study which must be met.
• Scholarships administered on behalf of our partners also have additional eligibility requirements which are detailed in the description of each award.

What Will I Need to Complete the Application?

• Your Koniag Shareholder or Descendant ID number.
  
• A recent resume with employment history, school activities, volunteer/community service, awards/honors, and any additional education/training. (2-page maximum)
  
• Most recent high school, GED, or college transcript(s). This MUST be followed up with an official transcript sent directly to KEF from your educational institution either by having it mailed to 194 Alimaq Drive, Kodiak, AK 99615 , or e-mailed to [email protected] through your school’s secure electronic transcript delivery network (such as Parchment, eScript, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.). Official transcripts must be received in order to receive your award.
  
• An essay is required for all scholarships.  The essay should be written specifically for the scholarship you are applying for and include the following:
  
  a) Understanding Alutiiq Heritage is very important in forming your cultural identity. Please share your cultural or family history and/or connection to Kodiak Island. This is a good opportunity to reach out to family members to learn more about your family history.
  b) What attributes do you have that make you a good candidate for this scholarship?
  c) What are your career and educational goals?
  d) Share an example of how you have participated in or contributed to your family and/or community.
  
  AND
  
  e) If you received a KEF Scholarship last year, update any relevant changes of a. through d. from above, AND choose one of the following topics and elaborate so our committee can continue to get to know you as you progress in your education.
  
  • What have you learned during this past year that has convinced you that you are on the correct educational path?
  • The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Share a challenge, failure, or setback. How did it affect you, what did you learn from the experience, and what was the outcome?
  • Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  • Relationship: How might the work you hope to do one day support the Alutiiq/Sugpiaq people or communities?
  
  AND/OR
  
  f) If you currently have lower than a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA), answer a. through d. AND describe the steps you will take to improve yourself as a student and your GPA.

5. One letter of recommendation (LOR) is required for all applicants who did not receive a KEF General Scholarship the previous year, or students beginning a new degree program. Students who have received a KEF General the past year are not required to resubmit a letter of recommendation.

Letter requirements:

* Be from a teacher, faculty member, academic advisor, current/former employer, mentor or an activity leader who knows you well and can reflect on your character, academic, scholastic and leadership ability and potential for success in your chosen career field. Letters from family members are not accepted.
* Recommender should explain their relationship to you and how long they have known you.
* All letters must be signed and dated by the recommender.
* Can not more than one year old.

If any of these items are missing, you will receive 50% less points will will reduce your award. Click here for a form to share with your recommenders.

6. Recent headshot photo.

Review Process:
The KEF Scholarship Committee scores all applications. Award amounts are based on the funding available and application scores combined with student’s GPA.

Disbursement of Funds:
If awarded, applicant will be notified by email the first part of June. Students will be required to sign back into their account and accept the award and provide additional information. The awarded funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s school/program by late August. If a student’s official transcripts are submitted late, the award will be late as well.

*Because KEF is a private nonprofit, IRS regulations require that all scholarship and career development funds must be sent directly to the institute where training is taking place.

Ready to Try College Again?

Opens December 15, closes March 15 annually.

Ready to try college again, or perhaps didn’t do very well in high school? This one-time scholarship is designed for students who do not currently have the required 2.50 cumulative high school or college grade point average (GPA). The student will have up to one academic year to bring their GPA into compliance in order to be qualified to receive funds through the KEF General Scholarship.

Criteria:

• Must be a Koniag Shareholder or registered Descendant.
• Must be enrolling into an accredited college.
• Must not have received a KEF General Scholarship in the last two years.
• Must be enrolled in at least two classes (6 credits) per term.

Please call or email KEF with any further questions.

Summer scholarships are for degree seeking students who catch up or get ahead with their degree work. The requirements will be exactly the same as for the KEF General Scholarship.

Award: Up to $1,000; multiple recipients per year. Limit of two (2) CDG’s per fiscal year, per student not to exceed a total of $1,000.
Deadline: No deadline; open continuously. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing.

Purpose: To assist Koniag Shareholders and registered Descendants who have chosen to further their education through non-degree seeking programs such as licensing and certification trainings, workshops, or other career advancing programs. Additionally, this grant may be used for Alutiiq language classes. These grants are merit-based, meaning how well you do on your application determines the amount of your award.

Requirements: Any qualified student who is accepted to or enrolled in a career development course and can demonstrate how the training will assist the student in gaining employment or job security and/or advancement, or how they will use the Alutiiq language class to support our culture. Must meet all other KEF eligibility requirements. The program must be accredited or meet state or industry standards proof of program completion is required.

Required Documents for Career & Alutiiq Language Development Grant
The following documents must be submitted for consideration of this scholarship award:

1) Essay: The purpose of the essay is to give the Executive Director more background information about you and your program. Your essay should include at least a paragraph on each of the following:

• A brief personal and family history including how you or your family is connected to Kodiak Island.
• Career and educational goals.
• Benefit Statement: Explain how this training/course will improve your ability to find and/or improve current employment or help you advance in your career, OR how will you use the knowledge you gain from taking an Alutiiq language class?

2) Recent Resume with employment history, volunteer/community service, awards/honors, and any additional education/training. (2 pages maximum)

3) Proof of Cost of Program: An invoice and/or cost of attendance from the school/training program.

4) Profile Photo: A recent headshot photo of yourself.

Review Process:
The Koniag Education Foundation Board of Directors may appoint a committee or the Executive Director of KEF to select recipients of awards. Awards are based on the personal essay and completeness of information in the application.

Disbursement of Funds:
If awarded, applicant will be notified by email. The awarded funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s school/program and may be used for reasonable expenses in conjunction with the courses taken which the Executive Director determines as acceptable costs.

*Because KEF is a private nonprofit, IRS regulations require that all scholarship and career development funds must be sent directly to the institute where training is taking place.

The KEF Vocational award provides funding for Koniag Shareholders and registered Descendants who are non-degree seeking individuals enrolled in an accredited vocational or technical programs and training. Vocational Scholarships are merit-based, the amount of the award is dependent on the application score.

Award:   Up to $5,000 per fiscal year; subject to funding. Deadline: No deadline, ongoing; Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing.

Requirements: Any qualified student who is accepted to or enrolled in an accredited or state or municipally recognized vocational school or program and:
Maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or the equivalent while in the program.
Demonstrates how the training will assist student in gaining employment or job security and/ or advancement
The program must be accredited or meet state or industry standards proof of program completion is required.
Required Documents for Vocational Scholarship

Essay: In this essay, include
1) A brief family and personal history including how you or your family is connected to Kodiak 2) What are your career goals and how will this scholarship help you achieve them? If you are changing career paths, what makes you a good fit for this new career? 3) What are your plans for the future and how will this education enhance your ability to find employment and/or improve current employment?

Proof of program cost: An invoice and/or cost of attendance from the program.

Recent Resume with employment history and any additional education/training. 2 pages maximum.

1 Letter of Recommendation (LOR):This can be from a current/former employer, co-worker, mentor or someone who knows you well and can reflect on your character and potential. The recommender should detail their relationship to you, how long they have known you, and why you would be an ideal candidate for this scholarship. Letters from immediate family members are not accepted. LOR’s must be signed, dated, and not more than one year old.

Recent headshot photo.

Review Process: KEF’s Scholarship Committee reviews and scores all applicant applications. Scores are averaged to determine the amount of the scholarship awarded.
*Because KEF is a private nonprofit, IRS regulations require that all scholarship and career development funds must be sent directly to the institute where training is taking place.

Tangirnaq Native Village Career Development Grant

Award: Up to $1,000; four recipients per year.
Deadline: No deadline; open continuously. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing.

Purpose: TNV Career Development Grants (CDG) are to assist TNV enrolled citizens who have chosen to further their education/training through short-term, non-degree seeking programs such as licensing and certification trainings, seminars, workshops or other career advancing programs.

Deadline: No deadline; open continuously. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing.

Requirements: Any qualified student who is accepted to or enrolled in a career development course and can demonstrate how the education/training will assist the student in gaining employment or job security and/or advancement. The program must be accredited or meet state or industry standards. Proof of program completion is required.

• Must be enrolled in the Tangirnaq Native Village, and
• Must be a Koniag shareholder or registered descendant
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or the equivalent
• Demonstrate how the training will assist student in gaining employment or job security and/or advancement.

Applicants who are not currently enrolled in the Tangirnaq Native Village must complete enrollment form and provide required documentation.  For more information on enrollment contact TNV offices at [email protected] or by calling 907-486-9872.

Required Documents for Career Development Grant
The following documents must be submitted for consideration of this grant award:

1) Essay: The purpose of the essay is to provide more detailed background information about you. Your essay should include the following (Minimum 500 words):

1. A brief personal and family history, including how you or your family is connected to Tangirnaq Native Village/Woody Island or Kodiak Island.
2. Community Involvement / volunteer activities.
3. Career and life goals.
4. Explanation on how this education/training will enhance your ability to either obtain employment and/or improve current employment.

2) Recent Resume with employment history, school activities, volunteer/community service, awards/honors, and any additional education/training (2 page maximum).

3) Proof of Cost of Program: An invoice and/or cost of attendance from the education/training program.

4) Profile Photo:   A recent headshot photo of yourself that you’d use in a professional capacity.

Review Process:
A committee will review and select recipients of awards. Awards are based on the personal essay and completeness of information in the application.

Disbursement of Funds:
If awarded, applicant will be notified by email. The awarded funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s education/training and may be used for reasonable expenses in conjunction with the courses taken which the committee determines as acceptable costs. Any funds not used by the recipient will be returned.

All career development grant funds must be sent directly to the institute where training is taking place

Award:   Up to $5,000 for two individuals (subject to availability of funding)
Deadline: No deadline, ongoing; Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing.

Purpose: The TNV Vocational Grant is to assist Tangirnaq Native Village enrolled citizens whom have chosen to further their education through vocational training. Vocational Grant provide funding for non-degree seeking individuals enrolled in an accredited vocational, technical program or training.

Requirements: Any qualified student who is accepted to or enrolled in an accredited, state or municipally recognized vocational school and:

• Must be enrolled in the Tangirnaq Native Village, and
• Must be a Koniag shareholder or registered descendant
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or the equivalent
• Demonstrate how the training will assist student in gaining employment or job security and/or advancement.

Applicants who are not currently enrolled in the Tangirnaq Native Village must complete enrollment form and provide required documentation.  For more information on enrollment contact TNV offices at [email protected] or by calling 907-486-9872.

Required Documents for Vocational Scholarship
The following documents must be submitted for consideration of this award:

• Essay:  Your essay must include at least a paragraph on each of the following: 1) a brief personal and family history including how you or your family is connected to Woody Island and/or  Kodiak Island, 2) community involvement/volunteer activities, 3) career and educational goals, and 4) Explain how this education will enhance your ability to find employment and/or improve current employment. (Min. 500 words)
• Recent Resume with employment history, volunteer/community service, additional education/training, 2 pages maximum.
• One Letter of Recommendation: A signed and dated letter of recommendation (LOR) should be from current/former employer, mentor or coach who knows you well and can reflect on your character and potential. The recommender should detail their relationship to you, how long they have known you, and why you would be an ideal candidate for this scholarship. Letters from immediate family members are not accepted. LOR’s must be signed, dated, and not more than one year old.
• Photo:  A recent headshot

Review Process:
KEF will review all information on the vocational grant application, this would include post-training verification. KEF will provide the TNV Executive Director for the list of applicants for approval.

Disbursement of Funds:
If awarded, applicants will be notified by email. The awarded funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s school/program and may be used for reasonable expenses in conjunction with the courses taken which the committee determines as acceptable costs. Any funds not used by the recipient will be returned.

All vocational grant funds must be sent directly to the institute where training is taking place

Koniag Government Services (KGS) is proud to sponsor 5 KEF students to attend the annual American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference. This generous scholarship pays for conference fees, round-trip transportation, and room/board to attend the conference.

The AISES conference is a unique, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers. Attendees include Indigenous high school and college students, educators and professionals, including representatives from Tribal Nations, Tribal enterprises, and Indigenous-owned businesses. The conference also includes the LARGEST college and career fair in the U.S. for Indigenous students and professionals! Exhibitors at the College and Career fair represent a diverse range of corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribes, and Indigenous-owned businesses.

• KGS Employment and Internship Opportunities
• Learn more about KGS
• AISES Conference
• Learn more about AISES

This scholarship is for students who missed the March 15 deadline or are only attending the spring term. Apply beginning August 1 of each calendar year; the deadline is October 31. The requirements will be exactly the same as for the KEF General Scholarship.