News from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

NEW! Registration Now Open: Virtual ACAC Training in September 2020

ACPE will be hosting a FREE series of virtual trainings throughout the month of September (Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9AM – 12PM) for representatives from Alaska’s educational institutions, state agencies, Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska Native Tribal Organizations, and local non-profit organizations. The annual ACAC Training is designed to equip attendees with a wide array of resources to help them support and guide students and clients as they prepare for postsecondary education and career training programs in Alaska. Agenda coming soon! For more information, please contact Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator, by email or at (907) 269-7971.

Alaska High School Senior Survey: COVID-19 Impacts on Postsecondary Plans

In May, the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education conducted a brief survey of Alaska High School Seniors to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their postsecondary education (PSE) plans. View the Key Findings Report and Visual Representation of the findings.

ACPE Announces Additional COVID-19 Relief for Alaska Student Loan Borrowers

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education has been awarded $786,000 in CARES Act funds to effectively reduce interest rates to 0% for qualifying Alaska Student Loan Corporation borrowers requesting forbearance as economic hardship assistance for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Early Career Explorers – FREE Downloadable Classroom Resources (PK-4)

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education’s Early Career Explorers classroom resources incorporate career exploration alongside traditional subjects to be used in the classroom or at home. Students build a strong foundation to better understand the importance of academics, extracurricular activities, and healthy study habits as it relates to future career goals. Contact Shelly.Morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.

I Know I Can - 2nd grade FREE Early College & Career Exploration e-Book and Activities

Provided by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education and Alaska 529 College Savings Plan, the I Know I Can e-Book is available for FREE download for teachers or families to read with students as a distant learning activity. Additional parent tips and activities are available in the book. Students are encouraged to draw pictures of their career dreams and complete other activities in the eBook. Contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.

Kids2College – 5^th/6th grade FREE Early College & Career Exploration Digital Resources

Provided by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education and Alaska 529 College Savings Plan, the 5^th/6^th grade Kids2College program is available for distance delivery. Six lessons, video college & career panels, virtual campus tours, digital student workbook & teacher guide. Students begin to identify their career interests and build personal learning and career plans; learn how to best prepare for college and career training; and learn about college entrance exams, admissions, and financial aid. Please contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov for additional details.

FAFSA Wednesdays

One of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education’s outreach initiatives – FAFSA Time Alaska – is adding a new component to its portfolio: FAFSA Wednesdays! FAFSA Wednesdays offers fully virtual, weekly assistance by ACPE’s FAFSA experts to assist Alaska students successfully complete the FAFSA while they are preparing for postsecondary education and career training. For more information, please connect with Dominika Szpotanska.

ACPE Virtual Success Center – Postsecondary Planning Assistance

Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) Success Center staff are available to answer questions about FAFSA, scholarships, postsecondary programs, and more! If you or your students have questions about navigating the postsecondary landscape in these uncertain times, please contact ACPE’s Success Center team at 800-441-2962, Option 4.

AKCIS.org – Alaska Career Information System

Ensure your students have access to their Personal Learning & Career Plans (PLCPs) on www.AKCIS.org! Renew your AKCIS site account today by completing this short form. AKCIS is offered to everyone in Alaska for FREE by ACPE. Planning starts as young as 3^rd grade and continues through high school and the transition to postsecondary education. Discover ways to connect with your students through personality traits and characteristics, learning styles, career interests, and more. For quick training use these videos to access instructions for common AKCIS tasks Administration and Staff Resources or User Resources. Not sure how to get started?  Contact the ACPE team for more information and planning assistance.