The NYO Scholarship started in 2020 as support to senior high school students and athletes pursing higher education. For the sixth consecutive year, this support will once again be available for post-secondary education. The NYO scholarships will be awarded to High school seniors across Alaska actively participating with a Native Youth Olympics team and who are planning to attend a vocational school or college.

Winners will be chosen by the Education Scholarship Committee and announced on Friday, April 17th during the Senior NYO Games Celebration of Graduates and on the NYO Games Alaska Facebook page. Applicants do not need to be present at the Senior NYO Games, April 16-18, to win.

Deadline: Friday, April 1st, 2026

Eligibility 

• Must be an Alaska resident
• Enrollment: Must be a 2025-2026 high school senior planning to graduate with a high school diploma or GED
• Must be planning to attend a vocational school or college as a full-time student in Fall 2026. Proof of enrollment required (e.g., Letter of Acceptance or Class Schedule)
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• NYO Involvement: Must be an active participant with an NYO team within your community. Proof of participation required (signed letter from program coordinator)
• Preference will be given to students with more than one year of participation in NYO. 

Use of Funds: 

Funds are allocated for educational purposes, specifically to cover expenses related to attending vocational schools or colleges. This includes tuition fees and other related costs essential for one’s academic journey.

How to Participate: 

• Provide student information below
• Provide proof of active participation with an NYO team (Signed letter from program coordinator) 

Please be advised that incomplete submissions will negatively impact your evaluation scores. We encourage you to ensure all required materials are submitted by the deadline for thorough assessment.

How Applicants will be Scored 

1. Longevity with NYO Program (0 to 10 points)

• Criteria: The length of time the applicant has been involved with the NYO Program. Points will be awarded based on the number of years of participation, with additional consideration given to the depth of involvement during those years.
• Evaluation: Points will be allocated on a sliding scale, with longer participation receiving higher points. Extra points may be awarded for significant contributions or leadership roles within the program.[AV1] 

2. Impact of NYO on Student (0 to 5 points) This category is further broken down into sub-categories

A. Change in Perspective and/or Life (0 to 1.25 points)

• Criteria: Evidence of how the NYO Program has influenced the applicant’s outlook on life, values, or personal goals.
• Evaluation: Applicant's description of specific instances where participation in NYO led to a meaningful change in perspective or life direction

B. Learning about AK Native Culture and Values (0 to 1.25 points)

• Criteria: The extent to which the applicant has engaged with and learned about Alaska Native culture and values through the NYO Program.
• Evaluation: Reflection on specific learnings about Alaska Native culture and values and how these have been integrated into the applicant's life.

C. Commitment to NYO Program (0 to 1.25 points)

• Criteria: Demonstrated dedication to the NYO Program through active participation, attendance, and involvement beyond minimum requirements.

D. Overcoming Obstacles (0 to 1.25 points)

• Criteria: The ability to overcome challenges that could have prevented participation in the NYO Program.
• Evaluation: Personal testimony or examples of obstacles faced and overcome, illustrating resilience and dedication to staying involved with NYO.

3. Academic Goals (0 to 5 points)

• Criteria: Clarity and feasibility of the applicant's academic goals and how they align with their career aspirations and potential contribution to their community or field of study.
• Evaluation: Evaluation of the applicant's academic objectives, plans for achieving these goals, and how the scholarship will support their educational journey.

Optional Creative Submission: Although not required students have the ability to submit creative content that will support their schollarship application.