University of Alaska Anchorage Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on October 9, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~67%
- Middle 50% ACT: N/A
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Average GPA: N/A
UAA is an open-access public university, and its bachelor’s programs generally look for a 2.5 high school GPA (some programs admit students between 2.0 and 2.49 on probation). Because so few students submit test scores, UAA doesn’t publish a test range we could verify, so we’ve left those blank rather than guess. For most families the bigger question at UAA isn’t getting in. It’s which Alaska-specific money your student qualifies for.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Alaska Anchorage at a Glance
- Out-of-state tuition goes away in Fall 2027. The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted in August 2026 to eliminate nonresident tuition at UAA, UAF and UAS. If your student starts in Fall 2027, the out-of-state numbers on this page are a look backward, not what you’ll pay.
- The whole tuition model changes, too. Starting Fall 2027, UA replaces per-course pricing and surcharges with one rate tied to your major. Proposed UAA bachelor’s rates are $278 per credit for most majors and $303 for aviation, business and engineering. Final rates get voted on in November 2026.
- Most of the merit money is Alaska-only. UAA’s big awards are UA Scholars (top 10% of an Alaska high school class) and the state’s Alaska Performance Scholarship. Out-of-state students don’t have an automatic merit ladder here; their savings comes from the tuition change.
- APS is decided in high school, not in college. Your student has to complete a specific rigorous course list, hit a GPA or test score, and file the FAFSA by June 30. Miss the coursework in 9th or 10th grade and the money is off the table.
- UA Scholars deadlines don’t match across UA’s own websites. One UAA page says May 1, another says August 15, and the UA Scholars program says June 30 (priority). Apply in the spring and you never have to find out which one is right.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Alaska Anchorage is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: N/A; SAT: N/A.
Average net price? About $16,039/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes. It participates in WUE.
UA Scholars Program (system-wide): https://www.alaska.edu/scholars/
UAA Honors College Housing Scholarship: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/academic-honors.cshtml
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education: https://acpe.alaska.gov/Funding-Solutions/Alaska-Performance-Scholarship
UAA Scholarships: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/scholarships
UAA Honors College Tuition Awards page: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/honors-college/tuition-waiver-scholarship.cshtml
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education: https://acpe.alaska.gov/Funding-Solutions/Alaska-Education-Grant
UAA University Honors College: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/honors-college/
UAA Indigenous and Rural Student Center: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/irsc/scholarships.cshtml
UAA Leadership Scholarships: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/leadership/scholarships/seawolf-student-leader-award.cshtml
UAA Student Leadership Scholarships: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/leadership/scholarships/seawolf-community-service-award.cshtml
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Alaska Anchorage: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Alaska Anchorage has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $400 to $1,100 more than the in-state total below. $700 to $1,800 more than the out-of-state total below.
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $7,734 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $13,850 |
| Total billed cost | $21,584 |
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $22,710 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $13,850 |
| Total billed cost | $36,560 |
That is $14,976 more per year than Alaska residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $16,039 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Big change for Fall 2027: The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted in August 2026 to eliminate nonresident tuition at UAA, UAF and UAS starting Fall 2027. Students who start college in Fall 2027 should expect to pay the same tuition rate as Alaska residents. The out-of-state column above shows 2026-27 rates only.
Through spring 2027: UAA participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), which caps tuition at 150% of the resident rate for students from participating western states. UAA's Live and Learn in Alaska initiative has also given nonresident students who live on campus the equivalent of in-state tuition. Several groups already pay resident rates, including recent Alaska high school graduates, UA Scholars, students with a parent or grandparent living in Alaska (Come Home to Alaska), and qualifying UA College Savings Plan participants.
The table above uses 2026-27 rates (12 credits a semester, lower-division courses, plus Anchorage campus fees). Housing uses the 2025-26 double suite rate plus the 2026-27 meal plan, since UAA hasn’t posted 2026-27 room rates yet. For a student starting in Fall 2027, two things change at once: out-of-state tuition disappears, and UA moves to one tuition rate per major. Here’s a rough estimate using the proposed rates and this year’s fees:
| Major type (proposed Fall 2027) | Per credit | 24 credits + fees (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Most bachelor’s programs | $278 | about $8,382 |
| Aviation, Business, Engineering | $303 | about $8,982 |
Same rate for Alaskans and out-of-state students. Fees assume the 2026-27 $71.25 per credit. Final tuition rates are set in November 2026, so treat these as planning numbers, not a bill.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the University of Alaska Anchorage
Will out-of-state students really pay in-state tuition at UAA?
Starting Fall 2027, yes. The Board of Regents voted in August 2026 to eliminate nonresident tuition across the University of Alaska system for both undergraduate and graduate students. Out-of-state students still pay the same mandatory fees, housing and meal costs as everyone else.
Is WUE still worth it?
For the 2026-27 school year, yes. WUE caps tuition at 150% of the resident rate ($377 per credit for lower-division courses instead of $875). Once nonresident tuition goes away in Fall 2027, the regular rate is already the resident rate, so WUE stops mattering for new students. One catch to know: time spent as a WUE student doesn’t count toward establishing Alaska residency.
Why do engineering, business and aviation cost more?
In 2026-27, UAA adds a 20% surcharge to engineering and computer science courses, 20% to upper-division business courses, and 25% to aviation courses. Starting Fall 2027 those surcharges get folded into a published rate for each major, so you’ll see the real price before your student enrolls instead of a jump in junior year.
Do students have to buy a meal plan?
If they live in North, East or West Hall, yes. Those halls don’t have in-suite kitchens, so a full-semester plan ($3,075 per semester in 2026-27) is required. Students in the MAC apartments or Templewood townhomes can skip it or pick a smaller plan.
What isn’t in the table?
Books, personal expenses and travel. For families outside Alaska, flights home at the holidays can be a real line item, so budget for them. Some programs also carry course fees, like flight time in aviation, which can add up fast.
Is the average net price really around $16,000?
That’s the federal average for full-time beginning students after grants and scholarships (2023-24 data). It mixes Alaskans, many of whom stack APS and UA Scholars, with out-of-state students who were paying higher tuition. Run UAA’s net price calculator with your own numbers before deciding.
Can an out-of-state student pay in-state rates before Fall 2027?
Sometimes. UAA has offered in-state equivalent tuition to nonresidents who live on campus (Live and Learn in Alaska), and students with a parent or grandparent living in Alaska may qualify under the Come Home to Alaska rule. Ask Admissions to confirm before you count on either one.
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/academicpoliciesprocesses/tuitionfees/
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/academicpoliciesprocesses/tuitionfees/fees/
https://www.alaska.edu/tuition-transparency/
https://www.alaska.edu/news/system/2026-ua-regents-vote-eliminate-non-resident-tuition.php
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/meal-plans.cshtml
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/housing-rates
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=102553
📅 UAA Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)
- End of junior year: Your student’s high school ranks the class. Top 10% become UA Scholars and hear about it between May and October.
- October 1: The FAFSA opens and the UA Foundation scholarship window opens.
- February 15: The UA Foundation scholarship window closes.
- June 30: FAFSA priority deadline for the Alaska Performance Scholarship and UA Scholars priority deadline.
- August 15: Final UA Scholars deadline. Miss it and the $15,000 is gone.
Parent rule of thumb: file the FAFSA in October and apply to UAA by spring. That one move covers almost every deadline on this list.
Automatic Merit Scholarships: University of Alaska Anchorage
Note: UA Scholars is for Alaska high school students only. Out-of-state students don’t have an automatic merit award at UAA, but starting Fall 2027 they’ll pay the same tuition rate as Alaskans, which is a bigger savings than most merit scholarships.
Automatic Merit: FAQs (University of Alaska Anchorage)
How does my student become a UA Scholar?
They have to be in the top 10% of their Alaska high school class at the end of junior year, as determined by the school. The UA Scholars Program notifies students between May and October after junior year. There’s no essay and no scholarship application.
How much is it and how is it paid?
$15,000 total, paid as $1,875 per semester for eight semesters. That’s $3,750 a year applied to the student’s account.
What’s the real deadline?
It depends on which UA page you read. The UA Scholars program lists June 30 as the priority deadline and August 15 as the final deadline. One UAA scholarship page still says May 1. Apply by spring of senior year and you’re safe either way. The application is free for Scholars using the code in the award letter.
What does it take to keep it?
A 2.5 cumulative GPA, full-time enrollment (12+ credits a semester), and cumulative credit milestones: 24 credits after two paid semesters, 54 after four and 84 after six. Dual enrollment and AP credit count toward those totals.
Can it be combined with the Alaska Performance Scholarship?
Yes. Just know APS only pays toward costs that are still unpaid after other grants and scholarships, so a student with a lot of aid may see a smaller APS payment.
Can my student take a gap year or go to UAF instead?
Yes on both. The award works at UAA, UAF or UAS, and a student can postpone it for up to four semesters.
We heard about a “907 Scholars” award for the top 15%. Is that still around?
UAA’s 907 Scholars page references Fall 2023, and we haven’t found a current version. Don’t plan around it unless UAA confirms it’s being offered for your student’s year.
https://www.alaska.edu/scholars/
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/ua-scholars
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/scholarships
https://www.alaska.edu/scholars/Student-Handbook-Current.php
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UAA?
| Aid Type | Stacks? | UAA Parent Translation |
|---|---|---|
| UA Scholars + APS | Yes | The classic Alaska combo. APS only covers what’s still unpaid after other aid, so it can shrink if your student already has a lot. |
| UA Scholars + Honors Housing | Yes | UA Scholars living on campus get $750 off room charges each semester. Being in Honors too doesn’t double it. |
| UA Foundation awards | Generally | Donor scholarships layer on top of other aid, up to the total cost of attendance. |
| Native corporation & tribal awards | Yes | These stack, but they count as aid when APS calculates what’s left to pay. Report them so there are no surprises later. |
| Alaska Education Grant | Yes | Need-based and first come, first served. Early FAFSA filers get priority. |
If your student is chasing a big, competitive full ride, UAA isn’t built that way. Its value shows up differently: low tuition, a $15,000 award for Alaska’s top students, and starting Fall 2027, in-state pricing for everyone. For a lot of families, that math beats a fancier scholarship somewhere with a much higher sticker price.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Does UAA offer a full-tuition or full-ride scholarship?
Not through a published institutional award. Some Alaska students get close to full tuition by stacking UA Scholars, the Alaska Performance Scholarship, a Pell Grant and Native corporation awards, but that’s a combination, not a single scholarship.
What does the National Merit Scholarship at UAA pay?
$1,000 per semester for up to eight semesters. It’s open to Alaska residents and out-of-state students.
How does my student claim it?
It starts with the PSAT/NMSQT in October of junior year. If your student is notified that they’re a National Merit Scholar, send a copy of the National Merit letter to the UAA Honors College and contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Is being a National Merit Finalist enough?
UAA’s page refers to students notified that they’re National Merit Scholars, which is a step past Finalist. If your student is a Finalist, ask Financial Aid directly how UAA applies the award before counting on it.
Are there competitive awards for specific majors?
Yes, but they’re mostly handled through the UA Foundation scholarship match rather than separate department applications. Completing the profile and supplemental questions between October 1 and February 15 is how your student gets in front of them.
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/scholarships
https://acpe.alaska.gov/Funding-Solutions/Alaska-Performance-Scholarship
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/academic-honors.cshtml
University Honors College at UAA
UAA’s University Honors College works differently from most honors programs. Instead of a fixed list of extra classes, students design their own path in one of four tracks and finish with a portfolio they present before graduation. It’s built for students who want their research, leadership or service to count, not just their grades.
- Who can apply: Associate and bachelor’s students with a 3.0 GPA or higher (UAA treats this as a guideline, not a hard cutoff)
- Separate application: Honors admission is on top of regular UAA admission
- UA Scholars shortcut: UA Scholars who submit the Honors application are automatically accepted
- Four tracks: Community engagement, global and multicultural studies, leadership, and research and creative activity
Honors College Scholarships & Fellowships
Honors award amounts beyond the housing scholarship aren’t published and depend on funding each year.
- $1,500 a year off room charges ($750 each fall and spring)
- Automatic for UA Scholars and Honors College students living on campus
- No form: it posts to the account by the end of add/drop
- Doesn’t double if your student is both a UA Scholar and in Honors
Honors College: FAQs (University of Alaska Anchorage)
Is Honors admission automatic?
No, it’s a separate application. The exception is UA Scholars, who are automatically accepted once they submit it.
Does Honors come with money?
Some. Every Honors student living on campus gets the $1,500 housing scholarship. Beyond that, the Honors College gives a limited number of partial tuition awards (the application is a letter to the Dean) and funds at least two 49th State Fellows each year.
What’s the 49th State Fellows program?
A scholarship for Honors students whose studies or activities focus on Alaska Native cultures, Indigenous leadership, or Alaska and Arctic history, literature, policy or science. Applications are due January 5.
Does my student have to live on campus to get the housing scholarship?
Yes. It’s a discount on UAA campus housing, so it doesn’t apply off campus or in summer. If your student moves off campus and comes back later, the discount comes back too.
What does the Honors College have to do with National Merit?
National Merit Scholars who choose UAA send their National Merit letter to the Honors College to start the $1,000-per-semester award. The Honors College is also home to UAA’s Major Scholarships office, which helps students apply for national awards later in college.
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/honors-college/
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/academic-honors.cshtml
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/honors-college/tuition-waiver-scholarship.cshtml
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/undergraduateprograms/uhc/
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/ua-scholars
⭐ College Specialty
UAA is Alaska’s big urban university, and it’s built around the jobs Alaska actually needs filled: pilots, nurses, engineers and health professionals. A lot of students work while they study and stay in-state after graduation. If your student wants a career that’s in demand in Anchorage and across the state, this is where UAA shines.
Aviation Technology. UAA trains pilots, air traffic controllers and aircraft mechanics at its own complex on Merrill Field, about two miles from the main campus. Its Air Traffic Control program is part of the FAA’s Collegiate Training Initiative, and its pilot training is FAA-certified under Part 141. Bachelor’s graduates in professional piloting can qualify for a restricted airline transport pilot certificate at 1,000 flight hours instead of the usual 1,500. Budget for flight fees on top of tuition.
- WWAMI Medical Education: Alaska has no medical school of its own, so this is the state’s in-state path to an MD. Students do their first 18 months at UAA, then continue with the University of Washington School of Medicine. The program grew to a record 30 students in 2025. It’s for medical school itself, so pre-med undergrads major in something like biology first.
- Nursing and Health Sciences: Bachelor’s and associate nursing degrees, plus dental hygiene, radiologic technology, medical lab science, sonography and paramedic programs. Campus sits in Anchorage’s U-Med District, right next to major hospitals.
- Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical and computer systems engineering, plus geomatics and computer science. Expect a slightly higher tuition rate for these majors.
- Business: The College of Business and Public Policy offers BBAs in accounting, finance, management, marketing, business analytics and global logistics and supply chain management, which is a natural fit for Anchorage’s role as a major air cargo hub.
- ANSEP: The Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program supports students from middle school through college and is a big reason UAA’s STEM pipeline is so strong for Alaska students.
- A heads-up for future teachers: UAA’s teacher licensure path is currently limited to early childhood (PK-3) while the School of Education works to regain national accreditation for initial licensure. If your student wants to teach middle or high school, ask about the plan before committing.
🔗 Official University of Alaska Anchorage Links
Use these official UAA, University of Alaska and State of Alaska pages to double-check deadlines, award rules and costs. Tuition is changing in Fall 2027, so check the tuition pages again after the November 2026 Board of Regents vote.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/ -
UAA Scholarships:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/scholarships -
UA Scholars at UAA:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/ua-scholars -
UA Scholars Program (University of Alaska System):
https://www.alaska.edu/scholars/ -
Alaska Performance Scholarship (ACPE):
https://acpe.alaska.gov/Funding-Solutions/Alaska-Performance-Scholarship -
Alaska Education Grant (ACPE):
https://acpe.alaska.gov/Funding-Solutions/Alaska-Education-Grant -
2026-27 Tuition (UAA Catalog):
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/academicpoliciesprocesses/tuitionfees/ -
2026-27 Mandatory Fees (UAA Catalog):
https://catalog.uaa.alaska.edu/academicpoliciesprocesses/tuitionfees/fees/ -
Fall 2027 Tuition Changes (University of Alaska):
https://www.alaska.edu/tuition-transparency/ -
WUE at UAA:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/admissions/apply/western-exchange.cshtml -
Housing Rates:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/housing-rates -
Meal Plans:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/residence-life/explore/meal-plans.cshtml -
University Honors College:
https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/honors-college/
✅ Wrapping It Up
Here’s the big picture on UAA. For Alaska families, the money is real but it’s front-loaded into high school: the top 10% class rank that makes your student a UA Scholar, and the course choices that unlock the Alaska Performance Scholarship. Stack those two and a strong Alaska student can cover a big share of tuition before you even look at the UA Foundation awards.
For families outside Alaska, the story just changed. Starting Fall 2027, out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate as Alaskans, which turns UAA into one of the more affordable public universities in the West for students who want aviation, nursing, engineering or a path toward medical school. Just budget for the meal plan, flights home and any program fees.
Either way, the families who do best at UAA are the ones who file the FAFSA in October, finish the UA scholarship profile before February 15, and don’t let a UA Scholars deadline sneak by.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it. After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Leo Dimilo
Leo is a parent who went through the college process with his daughter and founded CollegeReadyParent to give middle-income and first-generation families plain-English answers about what college really costs. No paywalls, no lead forms.
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