News from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

NEW! AKCIS.org – Alaska Career Information System

Spring semester is historically a time to work on college and career planning tools.  Some students might be just getting started and some are preparing for next steps.  AKCIS.org can help them prepare at all levels.  Whether students are meeting in-person in your classroom, online synchronously or asynchronously, or with little access to the internet, AKCIS allows students to answer “Who am I?”, “Where am I going?”, and “How do I get there?”  ACPE sponsors this robust resource FREE to everyone in Alaska. 

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. 

To receive the AKCIS Newsletter each month, sign-up here: http://list.state.ak.us/mailman/listinfo/akcis. 

NEW! Alaska LIVE Job Shadows – Health Care Occupations

Join our interactive event where students 6^th-12^th grades can ask Alaska guest panelists more about their careers. We will also highlight programs of study available to students who are interested in these fields. Also learn more about how employability skills are important to Alaska employers.

When: Wednesday, 24 February 2021, 1 pm

Register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/1216099797702/WN_IEWQPmPeQL2WPo4ItAeCJA

So far, we have had had 19 school districts participate at over 100 locations in our Alaska LIVE Job Shadows events.

Recordings are available for:

• Oil & Gas Occupations here
• Construction Occupations here

For more information, contact AKCIS@alaska.gov

Zoom Recordings Now Available: Virtual ACAC Training

ACPE is hosting a FREE series of virtual trainings throughout the month of September 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 adult learners in their preparation for postsecondary education and career training programs in Alaska. Zoom recordings of training sessions that have already taken place are now available on ACPE’s website! For more information, please contact Dominika Szpotanska 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

ACPE 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 – PreK-4th grade FREE Downloadable Classroom Resources (in-school, distance learning, and hybrid models)

ACPE’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 (in-school, distance learning, and hybrid models)

Provided by ACPE and Alaska 529 College Savings Plan, the I Know I Can story, and educational activities are available for FREE for teachers and families to share with 2^nd grade students. Individual books and program materials can be delivered to schools PLUS a digital download, student activities and family tips are also available online. Students are encouraged to draw pictures of their career dreams and complete related educational activities. Contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.

Kids2College – 5^th/6th grade FREE Early College & Career Exploration Digital Resources (in-school, distance learning, and hybrid models)

Provided by ACPE and Alaska 529 College Savings Plan, the 5^th/6^th grade Kids2College program is available for classroom & distance delivery, and includes six lessons, 1-hr each with pre-made/customizable PowerPoint presentations, video or virtual college & career panels, virtual campus tours, and printed or digital student workbooks and teacher’s guides. Students identify 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 ACPE’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.