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Sept. 11, 2025
Dear UAF staff and faculty members,
Yesterday, UAF received that the is terminating current and future funding for the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving
institutions program, among others. This decision is likely to result in the loss
of several grants under what is commonly known as Title III. It is also likely to
limit the availability of future funding to support UAF’s mission to serve Alaska
Native students and the people of Alaska.
Here’s what we currently know:
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This is not happening immediately. The federal government is allowing up to a year
to close out the programs funded by the grants.
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UAF has multiple grants that fall under this category, most within the College of
Indigenous Studies and the UAF Community and Technical College.
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Title III doesn’t directly fund student aid at UAF, but rather funds degree programs
and student support services like advising and recruiting.
The loss of these funds would be substantial—currently around $2.9 million yearly—but
we are still analyzing what the full effects may be.
More than 20% of UAF’s students are Indigenous, or about 1,450 students each year,
on average. Title III grants support important workforce development and student success
initiatives for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students at locations throughout
Alaska. The loss of this grant funding will have a substantial and negative impact
on a large number of Alaskans, including our Alaska Native students.
Because we just received news of this decision, I don’t have a lot of details to share.
But please know that the UAF and UA system leadership team are gathering as much information
as we can to find a path forward as we attempt to mitigate the impacts, both current
and future, from this proposed action.
We have known for some time that changes in the federal landscape and budget would
likely affect our university, and we are starting to see that reality materialize.
When we have a clearer picture of next steps, I will share that information with you.
Thank you for your patience as we learn more about this situation and work together
toward the best possible solution for our university, our students and the communities
we serve.
Sincerely,
Mike Sfraga, interim chancellor
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