Walter Charley Memorial Scholarship

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.

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How to Apply

New Scholarship Application Process

We are excited to announce an updated process for applying for our scholarship program. To streamline applications and ensure a secure application environment, all prospective applicants must now request permission to apply.

Here’s how it works:

1. Request Permission: To begin, please submit a request to activate your account.
2. Account Activation: Once your request is approved, you will receive an invitation link to activate your account and gain access to the scholarship application.
3. Submit the online application form by the appropriate deadline listed below.
4. Submit required supplemental documents by the appropriate deadline listed below.

Important Deadline: All requests for account activation must be submitted by December 10th. Any requests received after this date will not be processed, and you will not be able to apply for the scholarship during this award period.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this new process. For any questions, please contact our Shareholder Advocates Tracy Parent (907-868-8221) or Starr Knighten (907-822-3476) or by emailing scholarship@ahtna.net.

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Deadlines

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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Awards

Awards are funded based on the amounts in the following:

Scholarship Award per Application Period*

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

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Apply

• Submit the online application form by the appropriate deadline listed above.
• Submit required supplemental documents by the appropriate deadline listed above.

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.