- General Library Studies Scholarship
- School Library Media Specialist/School Librarian Jo Morse Scholarship
- See also AkLA Awards in Section VI:3 of the Handbook
General Graduate Library Studies Scholarship
Purpose The stated purpose is to provide financial assistance to worthy students pursuing graduate studies leading to a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies and to encourage graduates to return to Alaska to work in professional library positions. Scholarships may be awarded for both on-campus and/or distance education programs. Preference will be given to an individual meeting the federal definition of Alaska Native ethnicity.
Eligibility
An applicant must be an Alaskan resident who:
- is eligible for acceptance, is currently enrolled, or will be a student in a graduate school library media specialist certificate program during the academic year, semester, or academic quarter for which the scholarship is received.
- makes a commitment to work in an Alaska library for a minimum of one year after graduation as a paid employee or a volunteer, or for two semesters for one semester’s financial assistance. A scholarship recipient who fails to fulfill this commitment will be expected to repay the money received. Candidates awarded the scholarship must supply proof of admission to an accredited program before the scholarship is disbursed.
Amount
Amount for the next academic year will be $3,000.
Criteria for Selection
An individual will be selected by a Scholarship Committee of AkLA based on the following criteria:
- Financial need
- Demonstrated scholastic ability and writing skills
- Applicant’s response to an essay question regarding his/her professional goals and objectives in pursuing a library career
- Strength of references. Three Applicant Reference Evaluation Forms are required, at least one of which must be from a librarian. References may include additional comments or letters.
Completed application and reference forms must be received by January 15 of the award year. The recipient is announced at the annual spring AkLA conference.
School Library Media Specialist/School Librarian Jo Morse Scholarship
Purpose
The stated purpose is to provide financial assistance to worthy students pursuing graduate studies leading to a library media specialist/school librarian certificate and to encourage graduates to return to Alaska to work in professional school library positions. Scholarships may be awarded for both on-campus and/or distance education programs. Preference will be given to an individual meeting the federal definition of Alaska Native ethnicity.
Eligibility
An applicant must be an Alaskan resident who:
- possesses a State of Alaska Teaching Certificate
- is eligible for acceptance, is currently enrolled, or will be a student in a graduate school library media specialist certificate program during the academic year, semester, or academic quarter for which the scholarship is received. The scholarship may not be used for Continuing education or recency credits for certification renewal.
- makes a commitment to work in an Alaska school library for a minimum of one year after graduation as a paid employee or a volunteer, or for two semesters for one semester’s financial assistance. A scholarship recipient who fails to fulfill this commitment will be expected to repay the money received.
Candidates awarded the scholarship must supply proof of admission to an accredited program before the scholarship is disbursed.
Amount
Amount for the next academic year will be $3,000.
Criteria for Selection
An individual will be selected by a Scholarship Committee of AkLA based on the following criteria:
- Financial need
- Demonstrated scholastic ability and writing skills
- Applicant’s response to an essay question regarding his/her professional goals and objectives in pursuing a library media specialist certificate
- Strength of references. Three Applicant Reference Evaluation Forms are required, at least one of which must be from a librarian. References may include additional comments or letters.
Completed application and reference forms must be received by January 15 of the award year. The recipient is announced at the annual spring AkLA conference.