Never before have scholarships played such an important role in students’ lives, specifically because the funds awarded are gifted and do not have to be repaid. UAA and the UA Foundation offer a wide variety of scholarships that students are able to apply for by completing a single application.

All donations received by KPC/UAA, including donations to student scholarships, are routed through and administered by the UA Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation established in 1974 to solicit, manage and invest donations to the benefit of the University of Alaska. The Foundation is separate and distinct from the University of Alaska and is governed by its own Board of Trustees.

This semester, 48 students received almost $64,000 in scholarship awards just from KPC campus-based spring scholarship applications submitted in Nov. 2014. Many of the scholarships in the packet included many established in the local area by a diverse group of donors. The scholarships offered included the following endowed scholarships: Brockel Family scholarship, John C. Brockel Memorial scholarship, Shelley A. Theno Psychology scholarship, and the Icicle Seafoods and the Damon Foundation scholarships. Because these are endowed funds, the principals are invested and earnings are available to award as scholarships in perpetuity. Other scholarships in the packet included those supported by the Soldotna Lions Club, Chevron, Catherine Hays’ family and friends (memorial), Dave Forbes’ family and friends (memorial), Riemann family and friends (memorial), John and Mae M. Hakala family and friends, Joseph and Teresa Kashi Science and Technology fund, Kenai Historical Society’s George and Mary Ford fund, Icicle Seafoods, KPC staff, KPC faculty, KRC Student Union and the KPC College Council.

Setting up a new scholarship or contributing to an existing scholarship is an easy process that can be facilitated by KPC’s advancement office. For new awards, donors work with advancement to establish scholarship applicant selection criteria. Endowed, named scholarships are the most long-term, monumental form of scholarship support. Endowed scholarship funds are established with a minimum of $25,000. They can also be set up to receive gifts until the minimum level is realized at which time the fund becomes endowed. Smaller, named scholarships can be set up with a minimum of $5,000. The funds are restricted and are not invested, but donated directly into scholarships meaning that the fund must be replenished by additional gifts or it will be closed. All scholarships have a required minimum award amount of $500 per academic year and a minimum requirement of a 2.0 grade point average.

KPC appreciates every donation it receives and especially those that support students’ scholarships. Students say it best. “Without scholarships like this, I am not sure I could afford to attend classes at KPC. One way I know how to show my appreciation, is to continue on my educational path of maintaining my 4.0 grade point average,” said Jayce Robertson, Student Union vice president and KRC process tech and instrumentation student.

To support an existing student scholarship or to establish a new scholarship, please contact the KPC advancement office at 262-0320 or email wskendrick@kpc.alaska.edu.

KRC will be hosting the annual winter community health fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the McLane and Brockel commons. The event is organized by Alaska Health Fair, Inc. in conjunction with the KRC Student Health Clinic.

For more information, contact Audrey Standerfer, R.N., KRC Student Health Clinic coordinator, at 262-0362 or e-mail astander@kpc.alaska.edu.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College.