Indigenizing Education for Alaska (IEA) Scholarships

Be the teacher you always wanted.

About IEA

Alaska Native students and teachers are underrepresented in the education system. We’re fixing that, and we need your help. Be the teacher you always wanted.

Sealaska Heritage Institute initiated Indigenizing Education for Alaska (IEA) to grow the number of Alaska Native teachers and administrators and improve educational opportunities for Alaska Native students. By supporting the recruitment, preparation, and retention of Alaska Native educators and school leadership, we will create a teaching force more representative of Alaska’s Native population who will shape a system that better serves Alaska Native students.

objectives & initiatives

Recruit future Alaska Native educators: The Indigenous Future Educator (IFE) program will provide high school students and students enrolled in lower division college courses experiences designed to motivate the desire to become a teacher. These activities include working with youth and Alaska Native educators to develop personal connections.

Prepare Alaska Native educators: Through a partnership with Alaska Pacific University, University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast, SHI provides scholarships and dedicated staff for direct student support. IEA also works with university faculty with professional training in developing Indigenous and culturally based curriculum.

Retain and uplift current Alaska Native educators: IEA supports Native educators through its professional development network and interaction with a community of educators. The creation of Indigenous Educator Awards series and media campaign will elevate and bring recognition to the education profession.

Participate & Benefit

AK Native Studies for Education Student Scholarship

This initiative assists with tuition, fees, and books for up to two courses in Alaska Native studies, language, or history—one per semester—for Alaska Native students who are attending a partner university and majoring in education.

Eligibility Requirements
• Enrolled Alaska Native tribal member

• Freshmen or sophomore undergraduate student

• Currently enrolled in an Alaska Native studies, language, or history course

• Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

• Pursuing an Alaska teaching certificate

Aspiring Educators/Education Professionals Scholarships

This initiative offers tuition and housing assistance for Alaska Native students enrolled with one of our partner universities in a program leading to a teaching/administrator certificate and/or seeking a terminal degree in education (aka Ph.D. or Ed.D.).

Eligibility Requirements

• Enrolled Alaska Native tribal member

• Currently enrolled in an education certificate/degree program with one of our partner universities

• Junior/senior undergraduate or graduate student

• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (undergraduates) or 3.0 (graduates)

Community of Practice (CoP) Alumni

This initiative offers financial assistance to Alaska Native CoP alumni for up to two courses to meet professional development requirements to maintain one’s teaching/administrator certificate.

Eligibility Requirements

• Enrolled Alaska Native tribal member

• Currently employed with an Alaskan public school

• Committed to remaining in current district/school serving Alaska Native students

dates & Deadlines

October 25^th – Open application for Spring 2025 Scholarship

January 10^th, 2025 – Last day to apply for Spring 2025 Scholarship

Apply Now

Applications for Fall 2024 are open from May 13 – August 23

Questions? Contact the IEA team: iea@sealaska.com or 907-586-9264