ASF 2026 Call for Scholarship ApplicationsPalmer, Alaska – “Educate” is a key part of the Alaska State Fair mission, and as part of this focus area, the Fair is pleased to award annual scholarships to Alaska high school students. This year, the Fair will award $10,000 in scholarships. Scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 27, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. AKDT.The 2026 scholarship awards include: • $3,000 first-place award • $2,000 second-place award • $1,500 third-place award • $1,000 4-H/FFA/Vendor/Dependent of Fair Member award • Four $500 Special Recognition Awards • One $500 honorable mention award Every student who submits a completed application will receive two free admissions to the 2026 Fair, which is scheduled for August 21 – September 7 at the fairgrounds in Palmer. To apply, students should submit: • Cover letter; explain why you think you're a good candidate for the scholarship award. Also include your name, address, phone and email, school name and phone, counselor's name, and the name of the college or vocational school he or she plans to attend • Extracurricular resume including interests, clubs, community service and/or employment • One letter of recommendation • A photo that may be used for publicity purposes • Written essay (1,000 words or less) or creative project (audio, video, performance or visual arts, business plan, social media campaign, arts and crafts, photography, etc.). Please note that DVDs will not be accepted. Students can submit videos online by uploading to their personal YouTube, Instagram or other video account, then entering the video URL on the submission page. All other application materials should be submitted to: Alaska State Fair, Attn: Kelly Larson, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645. The written essay or creative project should address one of the following topics: • Write an essay or create a song, poem, or piece of artwork, celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the Alaska State Fair. • Alaska is number one in the nation for new farmers. We have the youngest population of farmers and the largest percentage of women involved in agriculture. What can the Fair do to keep this trend growing? • The Alaska State Fair is always looking for innovative and fun events, activities and contests that are free with Fair admission to fairgoers. Create a new event, activity or contest that has minimal cost for the Fair. • How would you use a 12-foot by 12-foot booth space at the Fair to start your own business or to sell goods or services? • Explain your involvement in the Fair OR how the Fair has impacted your life. Please note that ideas submitted become the property of the Alaska State Fair. Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 27, 2026, by 4:30 p.m. AKDT. Last year, the Fair awarded a total of $8,000 in scholarships to first-place recipient Katherine Deering, second-place recipient Grace Cook, third-place recipient Jordan Hartman, 4H/FFA/Vendor award recipient Liam Wade and honorable mention recipients Evangeline Newkirk and Cagney Davis. For more information, visit alaskastatefair.org or contact Kelly Larson, Fair director of community and corporate relations, at 907.746.7164 or kelly@alaskastatefair.org. Link: http://https://www.alaskastatefair.org/site/fair-info/scholarships/ Submitted: 01/20/26 Article By: Alaska State Fair |