JUNEAU - Senate Majority Leader Johnny Ellis (D-Anchorage) and Representative David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks) have introduced bills—SB 302 and HB 397—to help reduce the costs of higher education for those students who demonstrate academic success as well as financial need.

Co-sponsors in the House are Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks), Mary Nelson (D-Bethel) and Beth Kerttula (D-Juneau). Existing scholarship programs available in the state do not provide the resources needed to provide financial support to all students who are in need.

Alaska’s high school graduation rates are among the lowest in the country.  The National Center for Education Statistics reported that Alaska ranks 42^nd in high school graduation rates at 61%.

By providing the opportunity for low income students to achieve postsecondary education, more students may be encouraged to complete high school. Of those students who do graduate, only 46% go directly to the university.

A recent study assessing reasons students have dropped out of college found that a major reason was their inability to afford escalating costs. The availability of financial assistance may have prevented this and improved the likelihood of student success.

The legislation proposed will establish the Alaska Achievers Incentive Program within the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. It will also create an Alaska Achievers Scholarship Fund as a separate state endowment fund.

Representative Guttenberg stated that “this program will increase educational opportunities for more bright, hardworking, and capable Alaskans so that they may be ready to fill Alaskan jobs.

This is a program for Alaska residents based on achievement and financial need,” Senator Ellis said. Alaska is among the best in providing student loans but is the worst in providing financial aid. We are preventing students from achieving their potential and in turn benefiting the social and economic development of the state.