Scholarships Fund Youth Education

CVRF has always been committed to helping our communities grow. Since 1993, CVRF has awarded the Louis Bunyan Memorial Scholarship (LBMS) to current or soon-tobe-enrolled students in university, college, or vocational programs. The minimum GPA required to qualify is 2.0. The higher the applicant’s GPA, the greater the chance of qualifying for the maximum available funding – $4,000 per semester.

Over the spring and fall of 2022, CVRF distributed $293,000 in scholarship funding. This funding has been instrumental in helping a generation of students complete their education and pursue their goals.

THEODORA “JERE” SIPARY, who attends the University of Alaska Fairbanks majoring in social work, grew up wanting to make the world a better place. Through scholarships like this one, which she earned her senior year of high school in 2021, she’s been able to follow that passion into her work in college. “(Receiving the scholarship) made me feel welcomed and like I was supported by CVRF. It made me focus more on work than my financial problems, and it pushed me more into looking toward my future.”

In Memory Of Kayla Kugtsun

Kayla grew up in the village of Kwigillingok as one of four siblings. They unfortunately lost their mother, leaving her father and extended family to help raise the children. Her father, Andrew Kugstun said, “I pushed all my kids to pursue higher education. Don’t give up, you can go far.” Despite grieving, Andrew knew it was important to set an example for his children to keep moving forward. Their family turned tremendous adversity into opportunity.

Kayla interned at CVRF in 2017, 2018, and 2019 while pursuing higher education, and in 2022 she received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Kayla also was a student at the Community & Technical College while working in the human resources department at the University of Alaska.

The CVRF team was saddened to learn of Kayla’s passing in April 2023. The CVRF pathway provided Kayla with an opportunity for her to walk with us through the internship program, and her footprints remain on our heart. Rest in peace.