Alaska Senate Bill 208 was recently proposed by the Senate Finance Committee as a way to save the state money. It would eliminate the $11 million-a-year Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) program by 2022. This APS program provides a great opportunity for many students who take on a rigorous course load, retain a high cumulative GPA, and do well on college entrance exams. The APS allows a tremendous amount of hard working students, who would otherwise be unable to go to college or technical school, to pursue a higher education and follow their dreams.

Alaska’s economy has been hit hard by the fall in oil prices, but fixing our problems requires educated citizens. Eliminating the APS would place a large burden on students who wish to continue their education, but do not have the funds to do so. Not only would it create a financial hardship, but it would also remove a prime motivator which drives students to perform their best in school.

In order to continue to motivate students to show utmost performance in high school and enable them to continue their education and follow their dreams, Alaska must continue to fund the APS. Alaska Senate Bill 208 cannot be passed or the education in Alaska will decline and students who are working hard to attain their goals will be unable to achieve due to the financial burden of paying for college or technical school.