The CIRI Foundation supports the education of CIRI original shareholders and their lineal descendants across the Cook Inlet region of Southcentral Alaska, centered on Anchorage. A graduating senior can start with the Jump Start award for college coursework taken while still in high school, then move into the Higher Education award for undergraduate or graduate study or the Career Technical Education award for a certificate or professional license. A related Cap Lathrop award for broadcast and telecommunications majors is open to shareholders or descendants of any Alaska Native regional or village corporation, not just CIRI. Funding is paid per credit hour up to a lifetime cap, and there is no application fee.
Eligibility
DemographicsMust be an original CIRI (Cook Inlet Region, Inc.) shareholder or their lineal descendant, reflecting the Anchorage/Cook Inlet region of Southcentral Alaska; no separate residency check beyond shareholder status. The Cap Lathrop award instead requires shareholder/descendant status with any Alaska Native regional or village corporation.
Applying
Higher Education: $200/undergrad credit, up to $3,000/term. Career Technical Education: up to $9,000/year. Jump Start: up to $2,000/year. Lifetime cap $50,000 total.