Last year, Alaska Pacific University (APU) made national news as one of the few colleges or universities to significantly reduce tuition. Beginning with the current academic year (2014-2015), APU students saw a 34% reduction in basic undergraduate tuition. Alaska Pacific University made this bold move in response to the growing concerns over student debt and the cost of higher education. Starting next fall with the 2015-2016 academic year, APU will take the next step toward increasing access to higher education for all students – the APU Promise Tuition Grant – that will allow Pell-eligible students to attend Alaska Pacific University for little to no cost.
The APU Promise Tuition Grant (PTG) is a need-based aid program designed to assist Pell-eligible students. Eligible recipients of the PTG will receive a grant to cover additional tuition expenses not otherwise satisfied by institutional discounts, APU donor-funded scholarships, or other grants. Those who are eligible to receive the maximum Pell Grant will see no direct tuition expenses. Those who are eligible for a partial Pell Grant will see a significant reduction in remaining tuition expenses to be paid out-of-pocket or satisfied by other scholarships, grants, or loans.
The APU Promise Tuition Grant may only be applied toward the cost of full-time tuition ($19,500 max for students in Campus Undergraduate Programs or $10,680 max for students in Undergraduate Professional Studies programs). Room, board, supplies, cost-per-credit expenses beyond full-time limit (18 credits for students in Campus Undergraduate programs or 12 credits for students in Professional Studies programs per semester) and other ancillary expenses are the responsibility of the student. Recipients of the PTG will receive a grant for the remaining tuition costs after all other institutional discounts and scholarships have been applied. The grant award amount for students in Campus Undergraduate programs will be calculated based on the maximum Pell Grant amount for the given aid year regardless of the actual amount disbursed to the student as determined by the US Department of Education. The grant award amount for students in Professional Studies programs will be based on a percentile range as outlined on the application. Any additional funds received (i.e. third-party scholarships, external grants) will be used to satisfy remaining balance due which may include, but is not limited to, additional tuition charges, room, board, fees, etc. APU donor-funded aid may reduce the PTG award if received at any time during the same aid year. The PTG is not cash and, therefore, may not be refunded as cash.
Alaska Pacific University is fully committed to improving access to higher education for all students. You can learn more about this program, and all scholarships at Alaska Pacific University, by contacting an APU Admissions Counselor at (907) 564-8248 or (800) Alaska-U.
Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Alaska Pacific University is committed to personalized, experiential learning that incorporates Alaska as our principal classroom. APU is Alaska’s only four-year, private baccalaureate liberal arts University.
