Scholarships

Empowering Calista Shareholders and Descendants Through Education

CEC provides scholarship opportunities for Calista Corporation Shareholders and Descendants pursuing higher education and career training. Our programs honor both academic excellence and career training in skilled fields that keep our communities strong.

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Samara Kookesh | Grand Canyon University

Ethan Chythlook | University of Puget Sound School of Music Concerto-Aria Competition Winner, Scholarship Recipient
Photo Credit: University of Puget Sound School of Music

Program Overview

Calista Education & Culture (CEC) provides scholarships to support Calista Corporation Shareholders and Descendants in their educational journeys. Scholarships are available for both Academic (college/university) and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs.

These awards are made possible through the generosity of Calista Corporation, Donlin Gold, and many additional corporate, community, and individual donors.

Important Notes

  • Each approved applicant may receive one scholarship per award year.

  • Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis for completed submissions.

  • Award amounts vary each year depending on available funding resources.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for CEC scholarships, applicants must:

  • Be a Calista Corporation Voting Shareholder or a Descendant of an Original Shareholder (natural-born or legally adopted).

  • Be Alaska Native.

  • Be enrolled in an accredited school or program.

  • Academic Scholarship applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. CTE Scholarship applicants are not required to have a GED or high school diploma

Ivalu Blanchett | California Polytechnic State University
 Photo Credit: Calista Corporation

Required Documents

All applicants must provide copies of the following documents. We encourage you to have your documents ready before applying:

  1. Proof of Alaska Native status (Tribal ID or Certificate of Indian Blood)

  2. Proof of Shareholder or Descendant status with Calista Corporation

  3. Proof of Acceptance (or proof of application) to an accredited university, school or training program

  4. Most recent Academic Transcript reflecting a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (for Academic Scholarship applicants)

A woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, smiling, wearing a dark gray sweater and a silver necklace, with trees and a red building in the background.

Banika Slats | University of Alaska Fairbanks
Photo Credit: Calista Corporation

Award Cycles

Academic Scholarships (College/University)

Allrakumi (The Whole Year) Award

Award Period: Full Academic Year (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Application Window: Mar 15 – May 15

Qukallrani (Halfway) Award

Award Period: Partial Year Award (Spring or equivalent term)

Application Window: Sept 15 – Nov 15

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarships

Uksuq (Winter) Award

Award Period: Jan – March

Application Window: Oct 15 – Nov 30 (previous year)

Up’nerkaq (Spring) Award

Award Period: April – June

Application Window: Jan 15 – Feb 28

Kiak (Summer) Award

Award Period: July – Sept

Application Window: Apr 15 – May 31

Uksuaq (Fall/Autumn) Award

Award Period: Oct – Dec

Application Window: Jul 15 – Aug 31

How to Apply

Submit your application through the new CEC Scholarship Application Portal.

For questions or assistance, contact the CEC Scholarship Team:
scholarships@calistacorp.com | MAIN: (907) 565-6043

Apply for Scholarships

Sharlene Paukan | Alaska Career College, 2025 Graduate
Photo Credit: Calista Corporation