Overhead view of criscrossed downed logs.Wooden trim

Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship

Walter U’eldahwdi’aasen Charley

The Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship (WCMS) Program funds Ahtna shareholders to assist in meeting their educational goals. Funding for the Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship is provided by Ahtna, Incorporated. The priority of the WCMS is to help support direct educational expenses including tuition, student registration fees, course required books/supplies, and other school-related expenses.

Walter U’eldahwdi’aasen Charley was born February 24, 1908 in a village near present day Copper Center called Wood Camp. A member of the Tsisyu (Paint) clan, he was the son of Ring Charley and Natelia (Stickwan) Charley. A beloved Ahtna leader, Mr. Charley was a lifelong believer in the importance of hard work and education.

Mr. Charley and wife, Mamie, instilled a love for education in each of their five children; all of whom went on to attend various universities and colleges. His daughter, Christine Craig, was the first woman president of Ahtna, Incorporated.

Mr. Charley served the Ahtna people in many leadership capacities including: past officer of the Alaska Native Brotherhood, Camp 31; Ahtna ‘T’Aene Nene, Copper River Native Association, RurAL CAP’s Village Participation Conference, and Ahtna, Incorporated. He was a tireless advocate for traditional hunting and fishing rights and testified in many hearings including the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs regarding the implementation of Title 8 of ANILCA (1992).

Mr. Charley passed away on October 22, 1992. In tribute to his dedication to the Ahtna people and higher education, Ahtna, Incorporated named their scholarship the Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship.


**NEW** Natural Resources Scholarship

Ahtna is excited to announce a new scholarship for shareholders pursuing a Natural Resources degree or related field of study (forestry, wildlife, etc.). At a minimum, there will be one Natural Resources Scholarship (NRS) available each calendar year. Scholarship preference will be given to accredited programs in Alaska.

Scholarship amounts:

  • Up to $15,000 per semester, $120,000 individual lifetime.
  • NRS includes tuition, books, student housing, and college/university fees. For this scholarship, funding can also cover required course equipment, childcare, and other related expenses.
  • The NRS program follows the same application process as the Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship program.

How to Apply

Steps to apply for the Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship:

  1. Submit the online application form by the appropriate deadline listed below.
  2. Submit required supplemental documents by the appropriate deadline listed below.

Deadlines

Spring Semester

Applications will be accepted online for the Spring semester from Nov. 15-Dec. 15.

Spring Application PeriodSpring Application DeadlineSpring Supplemental Information Deadline
November 15 – December 15December 15January 5

Fall Semester

Applications will be accepted online for the Fall semester from June 15-July 15.

Fall Application PeriodFall Application DeadlineFall Supplemental Information Deadline
June 15 – July 15July 15August 5

Supplemental Documents

If you do not have the documents at the time of submitting the online application form you must submit them before

  • the appropriate deadline listed above.
  • New applicants must submit:

    • Official proof of enrollment and registration, detailing semester class units/credits including college/university’s definitions of part-time/full-time status.
    • Reason Statement – A one-page statement where the Applicant shares their and their family’s history with Ahtna, and their future goals supporting Ahtna’s Corporation, People, and Region.

    Returning applicants must submit:

    • Official proof of enrollment and registration, detailing semester class units/credits including college/university’s definitions of part-time/full-time status.
    • Transcript of prior funded Term, either official or unofficial.

    Eligibility & Requirements

    New Applicants

    Eligibility for New Applicants

    1. Ahtna Shareholders who hold at least 10 voting shares (Original, Inherited, Gifted, Class L)
    2. Acceptance to an accredited college or university.

    New Applicant Submission Requirements

    1. Submit online application form by the appropriate deadline listed above.
    2. Provide official proof of enrollment and registration, detailing semester class units/credits including school’s definitions of part-time/full-time status by the appropriate deadline listed above.
    3. Submit a one-page goal statement describing your professional goals by the appropriate deadline listed above.

    Returning Applicants

    Returning applicants click here to see directions for applying.

    Eligibility for Returning Applicants

    1. Must have received a previous Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship and are re-applying within 2 years.
    2. Must have earned at least a 2.0 GPA* for the prior funded term. *If GPA is below this, apply for probationary status.

    Returning Applicant Submission Requirements

    1. Submit online application form by the appropriate deadline listed above.
    2. Provide official proof of enrollment and registration, detailing semester class units/credits including school’s definitions of part-time/full-time status by the appropriate deadline listed above.
    3. Submit an unofficial transcript for a prior funded term by the appropriate deadline listed above.

    Questions can be directed to Shareholder Advocates Tracy Parent (907-868-8221) or Starr Knighten (907-822-3476) or by emailing scholarship@ahtna.net.


    Awards

    Awards are funded based on the amounts in the following:

    Scholarship Award per Application Period*

    Undergraduate

    • Part-Time: up to $2,000
    • Full-Time: up to $4,000

    Graduate

    • Part-Time: up to $3,000
    • Full-Time: up to $6,000

    *All awards are subject to available funding and the number of eligible applicants at each deadline.


    Apply

    • Submit the online application form by the appropriate deadline listed above.
    • Submit required supplemental documents by the appropriate deadline listed above by clicking here and logging in.
    • Returning applicants click here to see directions for applying

    If you have any questions in regard to the Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship application process please contact the scholarship administrator at (907) 868-8250 or scholarship@ahtna.net.