Scholarship Opportunities
Review this information to find the appropriate application deadline and understand the requirements, award details, and terms.
Table of Contents
Starting in 2025, TCF is implementing updates to ensure sustainable support for CIRI Shareholders and Descendants while enhancing your application experience.
Here’s what’s new
- Term-Based Scholarships: Scholarships will now be awarded on a per-term basis, replacing academic year awards. Students will receive $200 per credit hour, with up to $3,000 per term for 15+ credits (e.g., $2,400 for 12 credits). Total annual funds up to $9,000 with summer school.
- Lifetime Funding Limits
- Bachelor’s degrees, CTE training, and certificates: $30,000 maximum.
- Master’s degrees: $20,000 maximum.
- TOTAL: $50,000
- Improved Application Platform
- Our updated portal launches April 1, 2025.
- All applicants will need to create a new user account to apply. Detailed instructions will be available soon.
We’re excited about these changes, which reflect our commitment to funding futures for generations to come.
Questions? Contact our scholarship team—we’re here to help!
📞 Call us at 907-793-3575 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Alaska Time).
📧 Email us anytime at tcf@thecirifoundation.org.
TCF Scholarship Programs - All Award Are Subject to Available Funding
Application Windows: April 1 – June 30 and October 1 – December 31
Amount:
- $200 per credit hour for all students.
- Students taking 15+ credits per term, including summer, can receive up to $3,000 per term for a total of $9,000 per year with summer school.
- Students taking 12 or fewer credits per term can receive up to $2,400 per term.
Requirements:
- CIRI original shareholder or lineal descendant
- High school diploma or GED
- Enrolled in Associate, Bachelor, Master, Doctorate, or pre-requisite courses for a degree program
- Attending an accredited institution
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
Award Terms:
- Maintain all funding requirements to remain eligible
- Funding covers direct educational expenses and up to $500 per term for personal expenses if other costs are covered
N0 deadline – apply any day.
Amount: Up to $9,000 per calendar year
Requirements:
- CIRI original shareholder or lineal descendant
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Enrolled in a technical skill training program earning a certificate/certification or a professional license
- Must be attending an accredited/recognized institution
- A 2.0 term grade point average or higher. If your most recent post-secondary coursework was other vocational training, successful completion is considered equal to a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Award Details:
- Eligible to receive up to $9,000 per calendar year
- Can be funded multiple times upon completion of previous coursework, provided the total does not exceed $9,000.
Award Terms:
- Upon receiving an award, students must maintain all funding requirements in order to remain in good standing with TCF and remain eligible for future funding
- Fund Uses: Direct Educational expenses including tuition, student registrations fees, course-required book/supplies, and on-campus house and meal plans. Personal expenses in the amount of $500 per calendar year can be awarded only if all other costs have been covered.
- Awards are subject to available funding.
Deadline: Open
Amount: Up to $2,000 per calendar year
Requirements:
- Direct lineal descendant of a CIRI original shareholder
- Enrolled in a recognized/accredited college, training program, or post-secondary course of study while concurrently enrolled in high school
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
Award Details:
- Up to $2,000 per calendar year
- Can be funded at multiple deadlines if the grant cap of $2,000 is not exceeded
Award Terms:
- Maintain all funding requirements to remain eligible
- Funding covers direct educational expenses and up to $500 per term for personal expenses if other costs are covered
Deadline: June 30 (paper application)
Amount: Up to $2,000 for full-time students
Requirements:
- Alaska Native original regional or village corporation shareholder or lineal descendant (preference to Cook Inlet Region, Inc. shareholders/descendants)
- Enrolled or accepted full-time in an accredited college or university
- Declared major in broadcast, telecommunication, business, engineering, journalism, or other media-related fields
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Intend to work in Alaska in the broadcast/telecommunications industry (must describe intent in the Statement of Purpose)
Award Details:
- Up to $2,000 per academic year (August-July), subject to available funds
Award Terms:
- Maintain all funding requirements to remain eligible
- Funding covers direct educational expenses and up to $500 per term for personal expenses if other costs are covered
Application Requirements
TCF accepts scholarship applications exclusively through our online portal. To gain access, you’ll first need to establish your eligibility.
Once approved, you’ll receive an email with a code for TCF’s scholarship application portal.
Emailed documents are not accepted.
Complete Submission: Only fully complete applications will receive consideration to ensure fairness and systematic processing.
Deadline Compliance: All application materials and documentation are due by the deadline. Exceptions may receive consideration under the following conditions:
Schedule and Transcripts Exception: If your class schedule or transcripts are available after the application deadline, or you have waitlisted classes, you must complete TCF’s class schedule attestation form and upload it to your application in the section designated for your class schedule so your application is processed without these documents maintaining your eligibility for consideration.
Payment Release for Exceptions: Payment is only issued when the documents specified on the attestation form are received and verified with a complete application. These documents are essential for confirming your continued eligibility for the program.
Application Cancellation: Your application’s progress relies on the timely submission of the specified documents to avoid cancellation.
Need help?
TCF aims to support every applicant and encourage timely communication to avoid interruptions. If you have questions or need assistance, please get in touch with TCF’s Scholarship Team. We’re here for you from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 907-793-3575. For the quickest response, contact us early during the 90-day application period. As the deadline nears, inquiries and our response time increase.
TCF processes applications in the order received, so get started. Be prepared early. Apply early. Get awarded early. We’re here to help you succeed.
Scholarship Awards Process
Notification
How to Appeal a Scholarship Decision
Award Confirmation: If selected for a scholarship, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in and formally accept your award.
Documentation Discrepancies: Applicants who do not submit the required transcripts or schedule will receive a cancellation notification.
Ineligibility Notification: Applicants who fail to meet the necessary criteria will be informed of their ineligibility via email.
Award Amounts and Frequency
Non-stackable Awards: Applicants cannot simultaneously combine or stack awards from the Higher Education and Career Technical Education scholarships. To qualify for additional funding, recipients must complete the coursework funded by the initial scholarship. This ensures equitable access to resources for all applicants and encourages successful program completion.
We understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned. Suppose you believe an error or an unexpected situation affected your application. In that case, you may be eligible to submit an appeal. Use the steps below to guide your appeal and ensure its review is prompt and thorough.
Important Note
For appeals regarding scholarship applications, please contact The CIRI Foundation directly to ensure prompt and efficient processing. CIRI and TCF are separate organizations with distinct offices and staff. CIRI does not handle scholarship appeals.
TCF is honored to be the designated organization for scholarship programming serving CIRI Original Shareholders, their Direct Descendants, and voting CIRI Shareholders.
Failure to follow the appeal process in the correct order may result in forfeiture of appeal rights.
Step 1: Check If You Qualify to Appeal
Before moving forward, make sure your appeal fits one of the two accepted reasons under TCF’s grievance policy:
- Administrative Error – For example, if there was a mistake in processing your application or documents.
- Circumstances Beyond Your Control – This may include medical issues, legal matters, natural disasters, or technical problems that impacted your ability to complete your application.
Step 2: Write Your Appeal
Prepare a written request that includes the following:
- Your full name and application ID (if available)
- A clear explanation of what happened
- Supporting documentation, such as medical records, legal paperwork, or screenshots showing technical issues
- Request that your application be reconsidered.
Step 3: Submit Your Appeal to the Scholarship Manager
Please email or mail your written appeal to the Scholarship Manager. Make sure your appeal is complete and includes all the necessary documentation. Incomplete appeals may delay the review process.
Step 4: Escalate to the President/CEO (If Needed)
Suppose the Scholarship Manager does not resolve your concerns. In that case, you may submit a new appeal addressed to TCF’s President/CEO.
- Include all previous documentation.
- Clearly explain why the issue remains unresolved and what resolution you are seeking.
Step 5: Escalate to the Education Awards Committee (If Needed)
If the President/CEO cannot resolve your concern, you may escalate your appeal to the Education Awards Committee (EAC).
- Submit a written appeal to the EAC.
- Include all documentation from previous steps and explain the entire history of your grievance.
Step 6: Await the Final Decision
The EAC will review your appeal, with input from the President/CEO as needed. The EAC’s decisions are final.
Helpful Reminders
- Follow the Order – Submit appeals in this order: Scholarship Manager → President/CEO → EAC.
- Act Quickly – Appeals should be submitted soon after receiving your decision to avoid delays or ineligibility.
- Be Thorough – Include clear, complete documentation at every step.
Please contact the Scholarship Manager directly if you have questions about this process. We’re here to help.
Conditions and Responsibilities
Lifetime Funding Limits
- Undergraduate and CTE Programs: The lifetime funding limit is $30,000 per individual.
- Graduate Programs: The lifetime funding limit is $20,000.
- TOTAL: $50,000
Financial assistance for Jump Start programs counts toward the undergraduate scholarship limits. This ensures equitable fund allocation, supporting a range of educational objectives from early college engagement and technical skill acquisition to traditional degree completion.
TCF’s Board of Directors evaluates financial support for educational endeavors beyond a Master’s degree, such as doctoral studies or specialized professional programs, on an individual basis. This flexibility allows us to address each scholar’s unique needs and ambitions, ensuring impactful and meaningful support.
Maintaining Eligibility
- Academic Performance: Maintain a term GPA of 2.0 or above throughout the funded term.
- Coursework Completion: Fulfill all scheduled coursework submitted for eligibility assessment.
Reporting Changes in Circumstance
Failure to notify TCF of these changes may result in ineligibility for one term.
- Enrollment Status: Notify us if you switch from full-time to part-time.
- School Transfer: Inform us if you change schools.
- Schedule Changes: Report any changes to your schedule, such as withdrawing from classes.
Code of Conduct
As scholarship recipients, individuals are expected to uphold high standards of behavior and professionalism in their academic pursuits and interactions with staff and peers. These guidelines foster a respectful and supportive educational environment:
Class Attendance
- Expectation: Attend all classes associated with funded coursework.
- Importance: Regular attendance is crucial for academic success and demonstrates a commitment to making the most of the scholarship opportunity.
Academic Achievement
- Requirement: Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
- Significance: This underscores the importance of consistent academic performance and dedication to educational excellence.
Professional Conduct
- Interactions: Conduct all interactions with The CIRI Foundation staff, faculty, and fellow students with professionalism.
- Behavior: Refrain from derogatory remarks or inappropriate behavior. Respectful communication and conduct are foundational to creating a conducive learning environment.
Ethical Application Submission
- Integrity: Ensure that your scholarship application honestly reflects your financial need for educational funding.
- Accuracy: Provide accurate and truthful information about your financial situation and educational goals.