YOUTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
POLICIES, GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Afognak Benefits Trust (ABT) administers the Youth Enhancement Program (YEP). Applications are available from January 1 through December 15 and are accepted throughout the year until the budget is exhausted.
Funding is limited and available for eligible applicants to attend athletic, scholastic, cultural, and leadership trainings, clubs, camps, programs, or events that will help applicants achieve their goals. Qualifying events may include private schooling, accredited homeschooling, tutoring, virtual or online programs, culture, art or sports camps, and leadership activities (e.g., Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Elders & Youth Conference, Future Leaders Summit, and Native Village of Afognak’s Dig Afognak Cultural Camps).
Funding can be used for registration, books, fees (e.g., school club or class fees), uniforms, equipment (e.g., sports), musical instruments, travel, supplies (e.g., art), and reasonable living expenses related to participating in the event. Reasonable living expenses can include a meal per diem at $50 per day when meals are not provided by the program or by submitting receipts for the recipient upon completion. Living expenses are not provided for chaperones or others traveling with the applicant.
Applicants may apply multiple times, provided they do not receive more than $1,500 total per calendar year. The ABT Board of Trustees evaluates the Program annually. Funds are available until the budget is expended.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE YEP SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Those who are eligible for Youth Enhancement Program scholarship funds are those who, at the start of the program or event, are:
- An Afognak Native Corporation Voting Shareholder;
- Under the age of 18, or a high school senior;
- Accepted to, enrolled in, or registered to participate in the event; and
- In good standing with the ABT Scholarship Program.
HOW TO APPLY
Custodians of eligible scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply through the scholarship portal via my.Afognak.com by logging in to their own my.Afognak account. Only Afognak Shareholders can register on my.Afognak.com. Once logged in, visit the Scholarship tab, select your child’s/ward’s name, and then select the YEP Program. An application can also be downloaded from my.Afognak under the Resources > Publications link or requested through Shareholder Services.
WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
APPLICATIONS MUST BE:
- Postmarked by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on December 15 and mailed to the Afognak Native Corporation Kodiak or Anchorage office; or
- Electronically received by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on December 15; or
- Hand-delivered to the Afognak Native Corporation Kodiak or Anchorage office by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on December 15, unless that date falls on a weekend, in which case complete applications must be hand-delivered by 5:00 PM Alaska Time the Friday before December 15.
An email or letter verifying receipt of an application will be sent to the applicant within seven days. Applicants who apply online will receive an automatic email when their application is received. If an applicant applies online and does not receive an automated email within 15 minutes, he or she should log back onto my.Afognak.com to verify that the application was successfully submitted.
A complete application packet must be submitted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Use the checklist provided below to verify completeness.
YEP APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Application must include:
- Completed YEP Application for the funding requested.
- The applicant’s voting ANC Shareholder ID number.
- Signed Student Pledge (Parents/Legal Guardians/Custodians must sign for applicants under the age of 18).
- Copy of the registration, enrollment, or letter of acceptance from the event provider.
- Letter of application (100-300 words) describing how the applicant will benefit from the event. The letter should be written by the student and may include an optional photo. Young students may draw a picture and parents/legal guardians/custodians may submit a letter (and optional photo of youth participating in the event) for youth under age 3.
- Copy of related expenses and other financial resources provided.
- Proof of payment and proof of completion if requesting reimbursement.
- Proof of Completion Form following the event to maintain good standing status for future applications.
REVIEW PROCESS
ABT has designated the Afognak Shareholder Services staff to select recipients of YEP awards. Upon receiving an application, staff reviews it to determine if it is complete and if the applicant is eligible. Applications will not be processed unless they are complete, including proof of completion following the event.
Special requests outside of existing policy, conflict of interest for the staff reviewers, or previous violations of the scholarship program policies will be forwarded to ABT’s Scholarship Committee for review. Applicants are notified of their award status after a decision is reached.
The decision to consider an application, award scholarship funds, and the amount awarded is in the sole and absolute discretion of the ABT Scholarship Committee.
HOW TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AWARDED
An applicant may apply multiple times, provided they do not receive more than $1,500 total per calendar year. Funds are available until the budget is expended. Once you are notified a scholarship has been awarded, please allow 7 – 10 business days for processing. Based on what you provided in your application, the ABT will award scholarship funds one of two ways, including:
ABT PAYS VENDOR DIRECTLY:
- Funds will be disbursed directly to the educational institution or program in one payment upon proof of enrollment and cost.
- All awards are calculated and paid in U.S. currency.
- Awardee
ABT PROVIDES REIMBURSEMENT TO THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEE:
- A scholarship recipient may be reimbursed for related expenses upon submission of proof of payment and proof of completion within the calendar year of the event.
- Reimbursement of funds is not guaranteed and is based on these ABT YEP Policies and Guidelines. The Scholarship Program staff may adjust awards based on policy.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING
The parent, legal guardian, or custodian is responsible unless the applicant is over the age of 18.
STAY IN COMMUNICATION – Notify the Program immediately if there is a change in contact information, event participation, or enrollment status.
PROVIDE A NOTICE OF EVENT CHANGE OR CANCELLATION – Awards are based upon the event identified in the recipient’s application. Changes must be approved, and the following steps completed:
- Submit a letter or email to the ABT Scholarship Program notifying us of the change or cancellation.
- Submit a new budget if costs have changed with proof of re-enrollment if the event has been rescheduled.
- Complete the re-enrolled event during the calendar year.
- Provide a Proof of Completion Form when the event is finished
If the recipient does not attend the event or drops out before completion, or if the event is cancelled, funds must be returned to ABT. Failure to do so will result in a Misuse of Funds.
DO NOT MISUSE FUNDS – Misuse or attempted misuse of funds will result in the requirement to return funds. Future applications will not be considered, and current awards will be withheld. In cases of fraud or criminal act, the Program may decline new scholarship applications from the recipient and/or the parent, guardian, or custodian even if the recipient repaid in full. The Program will investigate and make determinations on a case-by-case basis as to whether the awardee is in good standing.
PROVIDE A PROOF OF COMPLETION – Awardees must provide proof of completion following the event. Examples of “proof of completion” include such documentation as a certificate, letter from the event, or the Proof of Completion Form. Photos of youth participation are strongly encouraged.
Youth Enhancement Program
300 Alimaq Dr.
Kodiak, AK 99615
Toll-Free: (888) 292-9580 / (907) 222-9500
Fax: (907) 334-9566
Youth Enhancement Program (YEP)
YOUTH ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
POLICIES, GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Afognak Benefits Trust (ABT) administers the Youth Enhancement Program (YEP). Applications are available from January 1 through December 15 and are accepted throughout the year until the budget is exhausted.
Funding is limited and available for eligible applicants to attend athletic, scholastic, cultural, and leadership trainings, clubs, camps, programs, or events that will help applicants achieve their goals. Qualifying events may include private schooling, accredited homeschooling, tutoring, virtual or online programs, culture, art or sports camps, and leadership activities (e.g., Alaska Federation of Natives Convention Elders & Youth Conference, Future Leaders Summit, and Native Village of Afognak’s Dig Afognak Cultural Camps).
Funding can be used for registration, books, fees (e.g., school club or class fees), uniforms, equipment (e.g., sports), musical instruments, travel, supplies (e.g., art), and reasonable living expenses related to participating in the event. Reasonable living expenses can include a meal per diem at $50 per day when meals are not provided by the program or by submitting receipts for the recipient upon completion. Living expenses are not provided for chaperones or others traveling with the applicant.
Applicants may apply multiple times, provided they do not receive more than $1,500 total per calendar year. The ABT Board of Trustees evaluates the Program annually. Funds are available until the budget is expended.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE YEP SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
Those who are eligible for Youth Enhancement Program scholarship funds are those who, at the start of the program or event, are:
- An Afognak Native Corporation Voting Shareholder;
- Under the age of 18, or a high school senior;
- Accepted to, enrolled in, or registered to participate in the event; and
- In good standing with the ABT Scholarship Program.
HOW TO APPLY
Custodians of eligible scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply through the scholarship portal via my.Afognak.com by logging in to their own my.Afognak account. Only Afognak Shareholders can register on my.Afognak.com. Once logged in, visit the Scholarship tab, select your child’s/ward’s name, and then select the YEP Program. An application can also be downloaded from my.Afognak under the Resources > Publications link or requested through Shareholder Services.
WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
APPLICATIONS MUST BE:
- Postmarked by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on December 15 and mailed to the Afognak Native Corporation Kodiak or Anchorage office; or
- Electronically received by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on December 15; or
- Hand-delivered to the Afognak Native Corporation Kodiak or Anchorage office by 5:00 PM Alaska Time on December 15, unless that date falls on a weekend, in which case complete applications must be hand-delivered by 5:00 PM Alaska Time the Friday before December 15.
An email or letter verifying receipt of an application will be sent to the applicant within seven days. Applicants who apply online will receive an automatic email when their application is received. If an applicant applies online and does not receive an automated email within 15 minutes, he or she should log back onto my.Afognak.com to verify that the application was successfully submitted.
A complete application packet must be submitted. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Use the checklist provided below to verify completeness.
YEP APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Application must include:
- Completed YEP Application for the funding requested.
- The applicant’s voting ANC Shareholder ID number.
- Signed Student Pledge (Parents/Legal Guardians/Custodians must sign for applicants under the age of 18).
- Copy of the registration, enrollment, or letter of acceptance from the event provider.
- Letter of application (100-300 words) describing how the applicant will benefit from the event. The letter should be written by the student and may include an optional photo. Young students may draw a picture and parents/legal guardians/custodians may submit a letter (and optional photo of youth participating in the event) for youth under age 3.
- Copy of related expenses and other financial resources provided.
- Proof of payment and proof of completion if requesting reimbursement.
- Proof of Completion Form following the event to maintain good standing status for future applications.
REVIEW PROCESS
ABT has designated the Afognak Shareholder Services staff to select recipients of YEP awards. Upon receiving an application, staff reviews it to determine if it is complete and if the applicant is eligible. Applications will not be processed unless they are complete, including proof of completion following the event.
Special requests outside of existing policy, conflict of interest for the staff reviewers, or previous violations of the scholarship program policies will be forwarded to ABT’s Scholarship Committee for review. Applicants are notified of their award status after a decision is reached.
The decision to consider an application, award scholarship funds, and the amount awarded is in the sole and absolute discretion of the ABT Scholarship Committee.
HOW TO RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AWARDED
An applicant may apply multiple times, provided they do not receive more than $1,500 total per calendar year. Funds are available until the budget is expended. Once you are notified a scholarship has been awarded, please allow 7 – 10 business days for processing. Based on what you provided in your application, the ABT will award scholarship funds one of two ways, including:
ABT PAYS VENDOR DIRECTLY:
- Funds will be disbursed directly to the educational institution or program in one payment upon proof of enrollment and cost.
- All awards are calculated and paid in U.S. currency.
- Awardee
ABT PROVIDES REIMBURSEMENT TO THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEE:
- A scholarship recipient may be reimbursed for related expenses upon submission of proof of payment and proof of completion within the calendar year of the event.
- Reimbursement of funds is not guaranteed and is based on these ABT YEP Policies and Guidelines. The Scholarship Program staff may adjust awards based on policy.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING
The parent, legal guardian, or custodian is responsible unless the applicant is over the age of 18.
STAY IN COMMUNICATION – Notify the Program immediately if there is a change in contact information, event participation, or enrollment status.
PROVIDE A NOTICE OF EVENT CHANGE OR CANCELLATION – Awards are based upon the event identified in the recipient’s application. Changes must be approved, and the following steps completed:
- Submit a letter or email to the ABT Scholarship Program notifying us of the change or cancellation.
- Submit a new budget if costs have changed with proof of re-enrollment if the event has been rescheduled.
- Complete the re-enrolled event during the calendar year.
- Provide a Proof of Completion Form when the event is finished
If the recipient does not attend the event or drops out before completion, or if the event is cancelled, funds must be returned to ABT. Failure to do so will result in a Misuse of Funds.
DO NOT MISUSE FUNDS – Misuse or attempted misuse of funds will result in the requirement to return funds. Future applications will not be considered, and current awards will be withheld. In cases of fraud or criminal act, the Program may decline new scholarship applications from the recipient and/or the parent, guardian, or custodian even if the recipient repaid in full. The Program will investigate and make determinations on a case-by-case basis as to whether the awardee is in good standing.
PROVIDE A PROOF OF COMPLETION – Awardees must provide proof of completion following the event. Examples of “proof of completion” include such documentation as a certificate, letter from the event, or the Proof of Completion Form. Photos of youth participation are strongly encouraged.
Youth Enhancement Program
300 Alimaq Dr.
Kodiak, AK 99615
Toll-Free: (888) 292-9580 / (907) 222-9500
Fax: (907) 334-9566