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KETCHIKAN - The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan was awarded an additional $131,500 to its existing Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program grant to further develop and implement a comprehensive system of student support services for rural and Alaska Natives on Prince of Wales and Annette Islands. The initial grant was awarded in 2004.

The additional funds will be in part to develop a laptop and web technology loan program for Alaska Native and rural Alaskan students enrolled in the Associate of Arts program via distance. The program will require students in the loan program to participate in student orientations, financial aid and scholarship writing seminars, online library and research orientations and tutoring modules.

The goal of the additional funding is to create sustainable web-based student support services with highly trained staff members. It will allow more Alaska Native and rural Alaskans the opportunity to gain a higher education without leaving their communities.