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News from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

Tags: news

Early Career Explorers – PreK-4th grade FREE Downloadable Educational Resources (in-school, distance learning, and hybrid models)

ACPE’s Early Career Explorers FREE educational 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. (Flexible grade levels.)
Please contact Shelly.Morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.

 

I Know I Can – 1st-3rd grade FREE Early College & Career Exploration e-Book and Activities (in-school, distance learning, and hybrid models)

Provided by ACPE and Alaska 529, the I Know I Can story, and educational activities are available for FREE for educators and families to share with 1st-3rd 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. Virtual or in-person events connect volunteers with classrooms to read and discuss the story. Discussions include social-emotional concepts, early career exploration, and the importance of academics and healthy habits for strong, vibrant communities and personal growth. Students are encouraged to draw pictures of how they want to help their community when they get older, and complete related educational activities. (Flexible grade levels.)
Please contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.

  

Kids2College – 5th-8th grade FREE Early College & Career Exploration Digital Resources (in-school, distance learning, and hybrid models)

Provided by ACPE and Alaska 529, the FREE 5th-8th grade Kids2College program is available for classroom & distance delivery, and includes six lessons, 1-hr each with customizable PowerPoint presentations, video or virtual college & career panels, virtual campus events & tours, and printed or digital student workbooks and teacher 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, financial aid, and the different forms of postsecondary education. (Flexible grade levels.)
Please contact shelly.morgan@alaska.gov or 907-269-7972 for additional details.

 

AKCIS.org – Alaska Career Information System

Renew & Activate Today!

AKCIS is available for all Alaskans! Ensure student/job seeker usage will not be interrupted by submitting your site’s agreement today. Applications for the 2022-2023 SY are online. Renew by completing the annual Activation & Fee Waiver Agreement online. AKCIS continues to be FREE through ACPE sponsorship!

 

Apply Here: Activation & Fee Waiver Agreement - https://acpe.alaska.gov/PLANNING/AKCIS/AboutAKCIS/AKCIS_Activation_Agreement

 

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

 

Single Sign-on with Clever Rostering

Students are accessing their AKCIS Personal Learning & Career Plans (PLCPs) using single sign-on through Clever.  This means students do not have to remember their usernames and passwords, and teachers and counselors save time on the data management side.  Clever authenticates student credentials between the district SIS and AKCIS.  Clever is available to schools for free, including complimentary tech support. Need assistance, or not sure if your district is using Clever to access AKCIS, please contact Julia Renfro at AKCIS@alaska.gov.

 

AKCIS PLCP 360

AKCIS is growing! We've been listening to your experiences and requests and have launched a brand new look and feel for AKCIS called AKCIS PLCP 360! The new site is more accessible, intuitive, and easier for students to navigate. This session walks through navigation including the User Dashboard, PLCP activities, Assessments, Careers Clusters and Careers, Schools, and Employment, including document creation for Resume and Cover Letter tasks.  

 

July and August 2022

Webinars and Online Training

Customizing PLCP 360 - 22 July, 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Register Here

Using AKCIS with Adults - 22 July, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Register Here

Using AKCIS with Adults - 26 July, 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Register Here

5 Steps to Getting Started - 27 July, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Register Here

5 Steps to Getting Started - 2 August, 9:00 am - 10:00 am - Register Here

Creating an Implementation Plan - 3 August, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm - Register Here

Customizing PLCP 360 - 4 August, 10:00 am - 11:00 am - Register Here

What's New in AKCIS 360? - 4 August, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Register Here

 

ACPE Launches Enhanced Education Refinance Loan Program for Student Loan Borrowers

To better address the challenges of student loan debt in Alaska, the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) introduces an enhanced Education Refinance Loan program (REFI). Through ACPE’s enhanced REFI loan program, borrowers have the opportunity to refinance their current private, state, and federal education loans into one loan with a repayment term of their choosing. Applicants may select a repayment term of 5, 10, or 15 years, through a convenient and secure online application process. Offering fixed interest rates ranging from 3.55% to 5.00%, one simplified lower monthly payment, no origination fee, or pre-payment penalties, ACPE’s REFI program offers Alaskans a way to lower their monthly expenses and save their hard-earned money.

 

Alaskans interested in saving money and refinancing their outstanding education loans are encouraged to visit ACPE’s REFI loan site (acpe.alaska.gov/LOANS/Refinance-Loan) to review these program enhancements and submit their application.

 

ACPE Releases the Alaska Performance Scholarship Program Review and Recommendations Report

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education has published a report reviewing 10 years of the Alaska Performance Scholarship, including recommendations to improve the program. The report was created by McKinley Research (formerly McDowell Group). ACPE is developing an action plan to address the recommendations laid out in the report. ACPE welcomes questions and feedback. You can find the report here.

 

ACPE to continue suspension on testing requirement for Alaska Performance Scholarship

To preserve student access to the Alaska Performance Scholarship, and at the direction of the Alaska Department of Law, ACPE will continue to administratively suspend the APS testing requirements for Alaska’s 2021 high school graduates. Eligibility will be determined by meeting existing curriculum and GPA requirements. Read more: https://acpe.alaska.gov/FINANCIAL-AID/AK-Performance-Scholarship

 

FAFSA Wednesdays

To meet the needs of students and families who may not be able to receive FAFSA assistance within the hours of operation of the ACPE Success Center, we have introduced weekly evening assistance via FAFSA Wednesdays.

 

Every Wednesday, year round, an ACPE’s FAFSA Expert is available on Zoom between 3PM and 6PM ready to answer any FAFSA-related questions or guide individuals through the entire FAFSA process if that is the need.

 

FAFSA Wednesdays sessions are free to attend and no registration is required. Individuals can drop in at any time between 3PM and 6PM on Zoom to receive assistance. For more information, please connect with Dominika Szpotanska, ACAC Coordinator.

 

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.