PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Navy League of the United States and Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) announced the academic year 2023-2024 Alaska Sea Service Scholarship application requirements Oct. 14.

The program awards up to four $1,000 scholarships annually to dependent children and spouses of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel, who legally claim Alaska as their state of residence, for undergraduate education.

The scholarships are possible through funds raised by Alaskan citizens for a war bond purchased as a gift to fund USS Juneau (CL-52) during World War II. After the sinking of Juneau, the Alaska territorial governor and the Secretary of the Navy agreed to keep the bond monies on deposit until an appropriate application was found.
In 1986, the Alaska Sea Service Scholarship Fund was established by the Navy.

“Alaskan citizens originally raised these funds for the Atlanta-class light cruiser USS Juneau. Juneau was integral to the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, but was later sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal prior to the gift being presented to her crew,” said Ryan Donaldson, Navy League executive vice president for business operations. “Honoring the loss of Juneau’s crew could not be better achieved than through supporting the education of students within her sponsoring state.”

Applicants must be the child or spouse of a legal resident of the state of Alaska who is, or was at the time of death or designation as missing-in-action, a regular or reserve U.S. Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard member on active duty, inactive duty or retired with or without pay.

The Navy League screens all applications and submits their recommendations to NETC for final consideration and awarding. Selection criteria includes academic proficiency, character, leadership ability, community involvement and financial need.

“It is an honor to be a part of the Alaska Sea Service Scholarship,” said Al Sharlow, NETC’s advanced education program coordinator. “We look forward to any opportunity to provide educational opportunities to develop the future of our great nation.”

Students must provide proof of acceptance at an accredited college or university for full-time undergraduate study toward a bachelor’s degree. An individual cannot receive more than two scholarship awards during the pursuit of a four-year degree.

The Navy League is accepting scholarship applications from Oct. 14, 2022 to March 14, 2023.

For additional information and a link to apply for the Alaska Sea Service Scholarship, visit https://www.navyleague.org/programs/scholarships or email scholarships@navyleague.org.