BSNC Beringia Settlement Trust Scholarship Program - New Guidelines

August 07, 2023

Exciting news! At the beginning of the summer, the Board of Trustees passed a motion to make changes to the Beringia Settlement Trust (BST) scholarship program guidelines, lowering the GPA requirements and adding a probationary period to better support the success of our shareholder and descendants educational goals and success.

On Thursday August 4, 2023,the BST Board of Trustees, passed a motion to modify the BST scholarship program funding amounts.

Upon eligibility, undergrad and graduate students who are attending part-time with a minimum GPA of a 2.0, will now receive up to $1,000.00 per semester. Undergrad students who are attending full-time with a minimum GPA of a 2.0 GPA will receive a full award up to $2,000.00, graduates up to $3,000.00, and vocational program students, up to $2,000.00.

Effective immediately, the new funding award amounts and GPA requirements are as followed:

Funding Amounts UNDERGRADUATE AWARDS * Up to $2,000 for full-time attendance with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. * Up to $1,000 for part-time attendance with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

GRADUATE AWARDS * > Up to $3,000 for full-time attendance with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. * Up to $1,000 for part-time attendance with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

VOCATIONAL AWARDS * Up to $2,000.

Applicant Guidelines * • All applicants must submit a basic profile on MyCache. Shareholder Development will review the cumulative GPA for new applicants, and the most recent GPA for continuing applicants. * • Applicants must upload a current official transcript into Mycache (an unofficial transcript from a student account is acceptable) or a copy from each college previously attended (or high school if first-time freshman). * • Vocational students must show proof of academic enrollment, cost of the course/training, credits received, and training schedule and/or overview of their program, including the duration.

• Full-Time Students: 12+ semester credits,
• 10+ quarter credits, or 9+ graduate credits.
• Part-Time Students: 6-11 semester credits,
• 6-9 quarter credits, or 3-8 graduate credits.

Eligibility Eligible applicants must be an original shareholder of Bering Straits Native Corporation or a direct lineal descendant of an original shareholder. Lineal descendants are direct descendants of an original shareholder, including natural or legally adopted children that are Alaska Natives or a descendant of an Alaska Native as defined by ANCSA, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and their respective direct lineal descendants. Register here: Descendant Registry

College/ university student applicants must be a high school graduate or GED recipient attending an accredited college or university and must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.

Vocational program applicants must be a high school graduate or GED recipient attending a vocational program and must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher.

If you obtained a GED, include a copy of your official transcript with the total score. If you have been out of high school for more than 10 years at the time you apply, then the GPA requirements do not apply, but proof of a diploma is required. Applicants must demonstrate financial need after all other sources of funding have been considered.

Deadlines * • Fall: June 30 for courses that typically begin in August and end in December. * • Spring: Dec. 1 for courses that typically begin in January and end in May. * • Summer: May 1 for courses that typically start in May and end in August. * • Vocational: Six (6) weeks prior to training start date.

For more information on the BST Scholarship Program, please visit: [https://beringstraits.com/scholarship/ ] or contact the BSNC Shareholder Development Department at shdevelopment@bsnc.net or 907-563-3788