UAA College of Business and Public Policy

Seawolf Investment Fund Scholarship

In 2021, the College of Business and Public Policy (CBPP) created the Seawolf Investment Fund with a generous donation of $1 million from Gary Klopfer and Jane Cuddy Klopfer. The fund provides CBPP students with real world investing experience. It is managed by students taking BA 491A Student Managed Portfolio and BA 491B Institutional Money Management.

In addition, earnings from the fund are used to award scholarships to CBPP students majoring in Accounting or Finance.

Deadline

Application and supporting materials must be completed online and submitted by Friday, November 22, 2024, at 5 p.m. (AKST) See application instructions below.

Eligibility

• Must be officially enrolled at UAA for at least 6 credits in a program leading to a degree in Accounting or Finance from CBPP.
• Must maintain a UAA cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• Must have completed or be enrolled in BA 325 Corporate Finance.
• Must be a sophomore, junior or senior by time of the award.

How to Apply

To apply for the Seawolf Investment Fund Scholarship, please submit all required materials online using this application form. Note that the form must be completed in one sitting, as it cannot be saved and resumed later. Therefore, ensure you have gathered all necessary documents before beginning the application.

To complete the application, you'll need to answer a few academic questions, submit a letter of recommendation, write two short essays, and upload your unofficial academic transcript. Be sure to prepare these materials in advance, and allow ample time for the faculty member or other individual writing your recommendation letter to finish it before the deadline.

Requirements

1. Letter of Recommendation

   You must identify one of the following individuals to provide a recommendation letter to support your application addressed to Dean Nelson:

   1. CBPP Faculty Member: Choose a faculty member from the College of Business and Public Policy who will send a recommendation letter with their contact information. To facilitate this, you must provide them with a completed FERPA form, which should be attached to an email with your request. Faculty members require at least one week to prepare the letter, so completing this step as soon as possible is essential.
   2. External Reference: Alternatively, you may identify another person outside of UAA (e.g., an employer or community organization member) who will provide a recommendation letter addressed to Dean Nelson. Their letter must include their contact information, and they do not require the FERPA form. Be sure to give them ample notice before the application deadline.

   Please Note: Letters from friends, landlords, family members, classmates, or similar personal connections will not be considered.

2. Essays (Minimum 50 words, Maximum 75 words per essay)
   • Ethics in Financial Management: Explain the importance of ethical decision-making in investment or accounting. How will your approach to ethical issues shape your future career, and what values do you consider most critical in managing financial resources?
   • Career Goals and Alaska’s Economy: Describe your career goals in finance or accounting and how they align with investment strategies that can contribute to the growth and sustainability of Alaska’s economy. How will your work address the state’s economic challenges?

   These essays must reflect your original thoughts. The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to assess the fairness of AI use in applications. Applicants must disclose how AI was used in their essay responses, and AI detection tools will be used to ensure compliance. Failure to follow these guidelines may impact the evaluation of your application.

3. Detailed Plan of Spring 2025 Classes

   Include your planned schedule of classes for Spring 2025. The schedule will be available on UAOnline starting October 28, 2024.

4. Unofficial UAA Transcript

   Attach a copy of your unofficial transcript from UAOnline. It is recommended that you schedule an advising appointment to review your transcript with a Student Advising representative.

Once these documents are ready, complete the online application questions and upload the documents by Friday, November 22, 2024, at 5 p.m. (AKST). Good luck!

How Awards are Determined

The CBPP Scholarship Committee will review eligible applications and make an award recommendation based on the strength of your submitted application materials.

Keep up the Good Work!

If you are awarded a Seawolf Investment Fund Scholarship, congratulations! It’s important to complete your current coursework and maintain the required GPA. This will ensure your funding is applied and that you can apply for additional scholarships the following semester.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

CBPP Dean’s Competitive Administrative Scholarships
UA Foundation Scholarships
Weidner Academic and Travel Awards (for CBPP students actively enrolled in the Weidner Property Management and Real Estate Program)