The Alaska State Fair is awarding scholarships to Alaska high school students. This year, the Fair will award $8,000 in scholarships.
Scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school.
The 2025 scholarship awards include the following:
- $3,000 first-place award
- $2,000 second-place award
- $1,500 third-place award
- $1,000 4-H/FFA/Vendor/Dependent of Fair Member award
- One $500 honorable mention award
Last year, the Fair awarded a total of $8,000 in scholarships.
To apply, students should submit the following:
- Cover letter; explain why you think you’re a good candidate and include your name, address, phone and email, school name and phone, counselor’s name, and the name of the college or vocational school the student plans to attend
- Extracurricular resume, including interests, clubs, community service, and/or employment
- One letter of recommendation
- A photo of the applicant
- Written essay (1,000 words or less) or creative project (audio, video, performance or visual arts, business plan, social media campaign, arts and crafts, photography, etc.). Please note that DVDs will not be accepted. Students can submit videos online by uploading to their personal YouTube, Instagram, or other video accounts and then entering the video URL on the submission page. All other application materials should be submitted to: Alaska State Fair, Attn: Kelly Larson, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645.
The written essay or creative project should address one of the following topics:
- Interview a community elder or farmer and share their story through an essay or video.
- Alaska is #1 in the nation for new farmers. We have the youngest population of farmers and the largest percentage of women involved in agriculture. What can the Fair do to keep this trend growing?
- In light of the Fair’s mission statement, how can the Fair have a greater benefit on your community or in the state of Alaska?
- The Alaska State Fair is always looking for innovative and fun events, activities, and contests that are free with Fair admission to fairgoers. Create a new event, activity, or contest with minimal cost for the Fair.
- How would you use a 12-foot by 12-foot booth space at the Fair to start your own business or to sell goods or services?
- Explain your involvement in the Fair OR how the Fair has impacted your life.
Please note that ideas submitted become the property of the Alaska State Fair.
Every student who submits a completed application will receive two free admissions to the 2025 State Fair, which is scheduled for August 15 – September 1 at the fairgrounds in Palmer.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 26, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. AKDT.
Applicants can submit their applications online at alaskastatefair.org or mail/deliver them to 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, Alaska 99645.
The winners will be announced in mid-April.
For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org or contact Kelly Larson, Fair director of community and corporate relations, at 907.746.7164 or [email protected].
