NSEDC offers scholarships to students enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university or vocational school. These scholarships provide supplemental funds for higher education or vocational training in the amount of $3,500 per semester or training session. Part-time funding is available for students who are living in the Norton Sound region while taking classes and enrolled in a degree program.
The NSEDC Board of Directors feels one of the best ways to stimulate economic development in the Norton Sound region is to invest in the education of our residents. This investment helps enable residents to obtain the education required to qualify for jobs available in the region that would otherwise be filled by outside expertise. Since 1992, NSEDC has awarded more than $ 13.4 million in scholarships.
- NSEDC Scholarship Guidelines
- NSEDC Scholarship Application
- Residency Verification Form
- NSEDC Continuing Scholarship Application
NSEDC is one of six organizations that provides an all-in-one application for students in the Norton Sound region. Through MyCache (Combined Application for College & Higher Education), students fill out one application that includes a few added question unique for each scholarship.
- Online MyCACHE Application
- MyCACHE (printable)
- MyCACHE Continuing (printable)
In 2015, the Norton Sound Education Work Group (NSEWG) held a regional education summit on October 9, 10, and 11. The NSEWG was formed in April of 2014 with representatives from regional organizations with the goal of addressing the educational needs of the Norton Sound region. The group focused on four initiatives: Cultural Relevancy, Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Growing Our Own Teachers, and Post-secondary Preparation and Transitioning Success. For more information on the education summit please click here.
Growing Our Own Teachers
NSEDC is proud to have in place two programs geared to help increase the number of Norton Sound residents working as teachers in our public schools. Introduced in January of 2018, the Student Loan Repayment Program and Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant aim to have those who know our region and cultures best teaching the next generation. The Student Loan Repayment Program repays up to $20,000 of a resident’s student loans incurred in the pursuit of their degree and certification required to teach in our region’s public schools. The Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant makes up to $40,000 available annually for eligible nonprofit organizations and schools in the region that have projects related to increasing the number of home-grown teachers. Individual awards under this program are capped at $20,000. The links below provide more information and applications for both programs.
Student Loan Repayment Program Guidelines and Application
Growing Our Own Teachers Discretionary Grant Application
Commercial Pilot Scholarship & Commercial Pilot Loan Repayment Program
In response to a shortage of commercial pilots in the Norton Sound region, the reliance on air service throughout the region, and the local economic opportunities in the aviation field, the Norton Sound Board of Directors approved the Commercial Pilot Scholarship and Commercial Pilot Loan Repayment Program.
The NSEDC Commercial Pilot Scholarship is for Norton Sound residents pursuing education and training to become commercial pilots working for Norton Sound regional air carriers. To be eligible, residents must be enrolled at an accredited college or university pursuing a degree in professional piloting or enrolled at an established flight training school pursuing professional flight training with the intent of becoming a commercial pilot in the Norton Sound region. The current award amount for the Commercial Pilot Scholarship is $1,500 per semester or certificate/rating, which will be awarded in addition to NSEDC’s current higher education/vocational award of $3,500, for a total of $5,000.
The NSEDC Commercial Pilot Loan Repayment Program is for Norton Sound residents who permanently resided in the region prior to obtaining their degrees or certification, and have been employed full time as a commercial pilot with an air carrier based in Alaska for a minimum of one year with the intent of being stationed in the Norton Sound region. Residency in the Norton Sound region must be established prior to attending college or flight training school and maintained throughout schooling. The program repays up to a total of $20,000 of a student’s loans used for professional flight training. Annual payments will be made to the lending agency over a five-year period. Upon their second year of flying full time in Alaska, applicants meeting all other requirements will be eligible for the loan repayment program. To continue in the program, participants will need to reside in the Norton Sound region by the time they apply for their second annual loan payment.
NSEDC Commercial Pilot Scholarship Guidelines
NSEDC Commercial Pilot Loan Repayment Guidelines & Application
Commercial Driver License Scholarship
In an effort to continually improve educational opportunities for Norton Sound residents, as well as create expanded employment options in member communities, the NSEDC board introduced a Commercial Driver License scholarship program. A CDL is a valuable certificate that broadens specialized job opportunities, but they are often difficult to obtain in rural areas without the resources available for training and certification. Additionally, they often come at a hefty price, especially if individuals must travel for training, making them potentially cost prohibitive to obtain. The presence of certified individuals within a community helps support projects and activities that require a CDL, such as seasonal construction projects, road work, and driving passenger vehicles.
Commercial Driver License Scholarship Guidelines & Application
For more information, contact Leslie Ladegard at lladegard@nsedc.com.
