Optional Section Title

UA Teacher Internship Scholarship

Are you looking for a funded pathway to become a certified Alaska teacher?

The University of Alaska Teacher Internship Scholarship provides tuition and fee support to eligible students enrolled in UA's initial teacher licensure programs. Some students may also receive a living stipend, depending on the number of applications, available funding, and their priority points.

A teacher intern works with her mentor
Photo: Cheryl Childers

Who's eligible to apply?

  • Undergraduate students in the final two years (60 credits) of their preparation program are eligible for full tuition support and a living stipend of approximately $10,000 ($5,000 per semester) during their final full-time internship year. If the internship lasts only one semester, the living stipend will be approximately $5,000.
  • Graduate students enrolled in an initial licensure program are also eligible for tuition support and a $10,000 ($5,000 per semester) living stipend.
  • Learn more in the drop downs below.

Why are internships important?

Alaska’s best teachers enter the classroom after completing a semester or a year of guided experience under the mentorship of a qualified teacher This program provides partial financial support for Alaska’s next generation of teachers to complete a high-quality preparation program through the University of Alaska. 

  • This “internship year or semester" allows future teachers to experience a semester or a  full school year from beginning to end, while developing their skills and practicing new strategies introduced  in their concurrent UA education coursework.

How can I apply?

  • Learn more in the drop downs below.

For scholarship and application questions, please contact Bridget Weiss, Alaska College of Education Consortium (ACEC) Liaison, at bweiss6@alaska.edu. 

Scholarship support is available for UAF, UAS, and UAA students enrolled in initial licensure teacher education programs (as listed below).

Eligibility information for undergraduates Eligibility information for graduate students

Requirements for eligibility:

Completed the following:

  • An AA degree (NOT AAS) OR 60 credits that will count towards a teacher licensure pathway BA from UAA, UAF or UAS

OR

  • An AAS degree in Early Childhood Education from UAA, UAF or UAS (NOTE: can only pursue UAA ECE BA program)

AND

  • Accepted in an eligible UA initial licensure program*

*It is okay to apply before you are accepted. We will verify acceptance before awarding scholarships.

Requirements for eligibility:

Completed the following:

  • A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university

AND

  • Accepted in an eligible UA initial licensure program*

*It is okay to apply before you are accepted. We will verify acceptance before awarding scholarships.

Criteria for priority consideration (meeting these criteria increases your likelihood of receiving funding; however, not meeting them does not exclude you from consideration):

  • Alaska resident
  • 60+ credits completed at the University of Alaska
  • Seeking certification in high need area (secondary science/math, special education)
  • Internship site in predominantly Indigenous district and school

Criteria for priority consideration (meeting these criteria increases your likelihood of receiving funding; however, not meeting them  does not exclude you from consideration):

  • Alaska resident
  • Bachelor’s degree from University of Alaska
  • Seeking certification in high need area (secondary science/math, special education)
  • Internship site in predominantly Indigenous district and school

Criteria that make you ineligible

  • Academic disqualification (student must meet campus Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, or be on an approved SAP Appeal)
  • Working as a salaried teacher of record (half time or higher)
  • Receiving half- time or higher salary from district (e.g. part of funded career ladder program)
  • Already possess an initial teacher license from any state in any area
  • Internship placement is not in Alaska

Criteria that make you ineligible

  • Academic disqualification
  • Working as salaried teacher of record (half time or higher)
  • Receiving half time or higher salary from district (e.g. part of funded career ladder program)
  • Already possess an initial teacher license from any state in any area
  • Internship placement is not in Alaska

PLEASE NOTE: Students must research and understand the implications to all of their financial aid resources if their application is funded. The University of Alaska will not be held responsible for any loss of financial aid (i.e.: student loans, tuition assistance, VA benefits, etc.).

Undergraduate programs Graduate programs
  • UAS: Elementary BAE, Special education BA
  • UAF: Elementary BAE, Secondary education BA (dual degree program)
  • UAA: Early Childhood Education BA
  • UAS: Elementary MAT, Secondary MAT, Special Education MAT, Initial Licensure Graduate Certificate in K-8 Elementary or Secondary Education  
  • UAF: Elementary post-bac + M.Ed., Secondary post-bac + M.Ed., Special Education Initial Licensure post-bac + M.Ed.
    • Applicants must have completed an application for their respective University of Alaska initial licensure program. For more information on program options and application procedures, please contact the individual campus advisors listed below, or visit the campus websites by going to teach.alaska.edu.
    • Applicants for all UA system education programs will complete the same Google Application Form. Applicants will be verified for eligibility and ranked using the priority consideration criteria listed above.
    • Anticipated amount of awards:
      • Tuition and fees for final 60 credits of initial licensure BA degree program (average two year total across the UA system is $22,000).
      • Up to $10,000 living stipend during final internship year, distributed at $5000 per semester. Living stipend funding is only available during the final year of preparation and cannot be distributed prior to the final year.
      • If the internship is one semester in length the living stipend awarded will be approximately $5,000.
      • Tuition and fees for post-bac preparation program (average total across the UA system is $20,000).
      • Up to $10,000 living stipend, distributed at $5000 per semester for students completing the program in one year.
      • Funding can be spread out over two years (with the scholarship and living stipend funds distributed equally across the two years), with the total award not exceeding that of a one year student.
      • Please note: tuition is covered for the licensure component of the graduate program only. Additional coursework for a Masters degree (typically 3-9 credits) is not covered under the scholarship, nor is any required content area remediation coursework required for program completion.
      • Undergraduate applicants are eligible for scholarships anticipated at the following levels:
      • Graduate applicants are eligible for scholarships anticipated at the following levels:
    • Scholarship funding will only cover one attempt at any required program course.
    • Total living stipend awards cannot exceed institutional federally mandated award limits.
    • If tuition and fees are covered by another funding source (i.e. employee tuition waiver, PITAAS or other village or Native Corporation funding, school district support) the scholarship for tuition and fees will not be awarded or will be reduced.
    • Apply by completing the UA Teacher Internship Scholarship Application.
    • For priority consideration, please apply by APRIL 15. (current application is closed)
    • Notification of awards will occur by May 1, and will be credited to student accounts at the start of the Summer or Fall Semester.
      • Post-baccalaureate, graduate students, and undergraduate students who have earned 60 credits by the end of the Spring  semester will receive funding starting in Summer .
      • Undergraduate students who do not have 60 credits by the end of the Spring  semester, but will have 60 credits by the end of Summer , will receive funding starting in Fall of the next academic year.
  • All funded classes must be required for the degree.
  • If funding is not exhausted in the first round of awards, additional applications for funding received after the April 15 deadline will be considered on a rolling basis.

Questions or more information:

  • For questions regarding scholarship applications please contact Bridget Weiss, Liaison to the Alaska Colleges of Education Consortium (ACEC), bweiss6@alaska.edu. 
  • For questions regarding initial teacher licensure programs in the UA system, please contact advisors at the three UA Schools of Education: