����ֱ��

University of Alaska students are filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as “the ����ֱ��,” in record numbers, resulting in a marked increase in need-based Pell Grants awarded to Alaskans.

Pell grants at UA nearly tripled in six years, from 4,035 grants valued at $8.9 million in 2007 to 7,848 grants valued at $25.8 million in 2012. In Alaska, more than 90 percent of Pell grant recipients who are dependent students enroll in a four-year institution--the highest percentage in the nation. Students currently can receive up to $5,645 a year in Pell grants depending on family resources.

There's no doubt UA is a great value with the second-lowest resident tuition in the country. UA President Pat Gamble and the Board of Regents have made it a priority to minimize tuition increases while maintaining quality. In addition, the State of Alaska is strongly committed to UA through its financial and public support.

Yet, all post-secondary job training or college still costs money. Full-time university tuition and fees ranges between $5,200 and $7,200 a year.

The ����ֱ�� is a UA student’s best friend, providing access to federal need-based aid such as the Pell grant, some merit-based assistance as well as privately funded scholarships.

Increasing ����ֱ�� participation has been a major goal since 2007. The "February ����ֱ�� Frenzy" () encourages students to fill out this form, raising awareness with drawings, contests, fun events and workshops. Also supporting increased ����ֱ�� submission rates are the Alaska Commission on Post Secondary Education’s College Goal Alaska () and UA/ACPE’s College Application Week ().

“These efforts are clearly working,” said Saichi Oba, associate vice president for students at the UA System. “Since 2007, the number of ����ֱ��s submitted per UA full-time student equivalent (FTE) has increased by 53 percent. The overall number of ����ֱ��s submitted increased 69 percent. UA students are increasingly recognizing the value of the ����ֱ�� in financing college.”

Another goal of the financial aid outreach campaign is to increase the number of ����ֱ��s submitted early, between January and March. UA now receives 45 percent of ����ֱ��s by the end of March, a 25 percent increase over prior years. These early students receive early award letters. Early awarding encourages early decisions, and enables students to connect earlier to the campus they will attend.

 -30-

A graph showing ����ֱ�� trends at UA is at

For more information:
• Arthur Hussey, UA System Student Services Manager, amhusseyiii@alaska.edu or 907-450-8148
• Deanna Dieringer, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Financial Aid Office uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu or 907-474-7256
• Sonya Stein, University of Alaska Anchorage, Office of Student Financial Assistance, financial.aid@uaa.alaska.edu or 907-786-1480
• Corinne Soltis, University of Alaska Southeast, Financial Aid Office, finaid@uas.alaska.edu or 907-796-6255

NR3-14