Performance Details

Department of Education and Early Development - Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

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Mission

To promote access to and success in education and career training beyond high school.

Core Services

• Efficiently deliver State financial aid information and materials to Alaska students and parents.
• Ensure Alaska"s authorized institutions operate within academic, administrative, and financial standards.

Mission Results	Core Services
A: Increase Alaskans" successful participation in postsecondary education. Details > TARGET #1: Increase the numbers and percent of high school graduates qualifying for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS). TARGET #2: Increase to equal the national average of Alaska high school graduates continuing to postsecondary education, including skill-based training, within a year of graduation.	A1: Efficiently deliver State financial aid information and materials to Alaska students and parents. Details > TARGET #1: Deliver information to ensure Alaska high school students, public and private, receive information to assist their students in preparing to qualify for an APS and to understand student loans.
Mission Results	Core Services
B: Ensure Alaska"s higher education consumers are protected. Details >	B1: Ensure Alaska"s authorized institutions operate within academic, administrative, and financial standards. Details >

Performance Detail

Target #1: Increase the numbers and percent of high school graduates qualifying for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS). Methodology: Table represents APS eligibility, receipts during first year, and since graduation, by graduation year. Alaska Performance Scholarship Eligibility Fiscal Year Graduates APS Eligible Received 1st Year Ever Received FY 2024 8,310 +2.73% 3,522 +173.24% 858 +96.34% 858 +96.34% FY 2023 8,089 +8.42% 1,289 +3.20% 437 +48.64% 437 +48.64% FY 2022 7,461 -0.84% 1,249 -55.33% 294 -56.18% 294 -56.18% FY 2021 7,524 -10.59% 2,796 -8.36% 671 -5.76% 671 -5.76% FY 2020 8,415 -0.04% 3,051 +56.30% 712 -41.64% 712 -41.64% FY 2019 8,418 -0.41% 1,952 -8.10% 1,220 +29.51% 1,220 +23.73% FY 2018 8,453 +0.45% 2,124 -7.97% 942 +13.49% 986 -11.41% FY 2017 8,415 +3.49% 2,308 -1.79% 830 -7.88% 1,113 -5.52% FY 2016 8,131 -1.56% 2,350 -7.92% 901 +8.95% 1,178 -2.48% FY 2015 8,260 +7.75% 2,552 -3.11% 827 -6.45% 1,208 -2.27% FY 2014 7,666 -2.42% 2,634 +6.25% 884 -0.90% 1,236 +7.95% Analysis of results and challenges: 2024 saw landmark updates made to the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) with the passage of HB 148. Amongst other changes made, the new law removed testing requirements for APS resulting in a significant increase in APS eligibility. Analyses to date reflect that APS students do well in postsecondary education, as those who earn the APS take more credit hours and require fewer developmental or remedial classes than their peers. They are also more likely to continue in postsecondary education and to persist in their studies than their ineligible peers. The 2024 Alaska Performance Scholarship Outcomes report includes information on past recipients" college graduation and participation in the Alaska workforce. Detailed information about program outcomes is available in ACPE"s annual report, which is available online at https://acpe.alaska.gov/reports. Related links: Alaska Performance Scholarship APS Outcomes Report Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #2: Increase to equal the national average of Alaska high school graduates continuing to postsecondary education, including skill-based training, within a year of graduation. Methodology: Alaska"s students" enrollment in college the fall following graduation is reported by the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) Student Tracker reports, and national statistics for comparison are published in the National Center for Education Statistics-2024 Digest of Education Statistics from the US Census Bureau"s Current Population Survey (CPS). National rates are of individuals ages 16-24 who had completed high school earlier in the calendar year. Alaska rates include Alaska high school graduates completing high school in the previous entire academic year attending postsecondary education in the following fall term at an institution reporting to NSC. Analysis of results and challenges: Alaska ranks last in the nation in low-income college participation rates, highlighting the importance of supporting access to postsecondary education in the state and increasing the overall proportion of students enrolling after high school. The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education"s (ACPE) mission is to provide Alaska"s students, parents, and teachers/mentors with the information and financial aid resources necessary to access and successfully complete higher education. ACPE mission-related services include 1) outreach to increase public awareness of the importance of postsecondary education and training and the critical steps leading to success; 2) statewide programs that incentivize students to aspire to education beyond high school that leads to an economically successful career in the Alaska workforce; 3) financial aid programs for Alaska students pursuing higher education; and 4) building Alaska"s capacity to report on the state"s return on investment of public funding for education/workforce training programs and services. The desired end results from these strategies are more than an increase in the numbers; they are development of a trained, competitive Alaska citizenry who are well prepared to meet the state"s workforce demands of the future and leverage a strong economy through attracting business and industry investment in the state. Related links: NCHEMS Information Center for High Education Policymaking and Analysis Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #1: Deliver information to ensure Alaska high school students, public and private, receive information to assist their students in preparing to qualify for an APS and to understand student loans. Methodology: The 2015 and 2013 numbers reflect partial years due to gaps in available Google Analytics data. Effective 2023/24, Google Analytics reports as GA4. Website tracking and visit counts changed. Total Visits is now measured as Total Views and Total Unique Visitors is now measured as Total Users. APS Website Visitor Volume Fiscal Year Total Visits Total Unique Visitors FY 2024 59,477 +66.25% 21,260 -19.95% FY 2023 35,776 +7.91% 26,557 +1.16% FY 2022 33,155 -7.44% 26,252 -6.65% FY 2021 35,819 +4.58% 28,121 +1.31% FY 2020 34,249 +2.47% 27,757 +3.25% FY 2019 33,424 -7.95% 26,884 -5.79% FY 2018 36,310 -44.02% 28,537 -42.28% FY 2017 64,865 +12.03% 49,440 +10.78% FY 2016 57,901 +19.70% 44,630 -2.49% FY 2015 48,370 -53.64% 45,772 -30.03% FY 2014 104,325 +263.76% 65,421 +246.64% FY 2013 28,680 -46.84% 18,873 -45.30% Analysis of results and challenges: The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) delivers information and student aid management tools to various audiences. ACPE supports one-stop, efficient, integrated resource solutions on the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) website at APS.alaska.gov and the Alaska Student Aid Portal (ASAP) - for both scholarships and grants. ACPE also provides direct mail information to high school seniors, targeted social media ads/posts, and virtual delivery of APS-related content to students, families, and educators. Website enhancements also delivered APS-specific information including redesigning page layout and design to provide students, families, and educators a more efficient pathway to gain APS related information. APS materials are available for download through the APS website and ACPE`s Success Center`s downloadable materials resource site. Target Last Modified: 10/30/2024

Last refreshed: 05/22/2025 12:00 pm