FAQ

Students apply through the FNSBSD’s Lottery Application Portal. NSC will accept/maintain seats for approximately 100 juniors and 100 seniors for each school year. Prerequisites for applicants include:

• 2.5 Cumulative GPA
• On track for graduation

The school district welcomes applications from students not currently enrolled if they meet minimum eligibility requirements. Students must enroll with FNSBSD if selected in the lottery for the 23-24 school year.

Yes. Eligible students who are not initially admitted via the lottery will be placed on a waitlist for the school year they applied for. If additional spaces become available prior to the start of that school year, students from the waitlist will be contacted.  Note: We will not be accepting juniors or seniors at the end of fall semester.  

The school is designed as a two-year school and students would participate in both their junior and senior year.

Absolutely! Students taking UAF courses can apply for accommodations through the Office of Disability Services on campus. The student applies for an accommodation and meets with the staff, who help determine appropriate reasonable accommodations. Common accommodations include providing a note taker, extra time on tests, transcription, etc. Additionally, the NSC counselor and the NSC program coordinator are available to help all students with goal setting and other forms of support. 

Students must take a minimum of 9 college credits, and can take up to 15 college credits per semester. Many students, however, will take a mix of college and high school level courses. Students who are selected to participate will take placement exams to determine the appropriate Math, Science, and English courses. All students will be required to enroll in an advisory support course their first semester whether entering as a junior or a senior. 

Students will work with the NSC school district counselor and a UAF academic advisor to choose the courses that best fit their needs. The staff will provide guidance during this process. 

No. UAF does not use PowerSchool. Students at UAF will use UA Online for administrative connections with Canvas, Blackboard, or Google Classroom for their courses (Blackboard will be retired in the spring of 2024). Parents will need to work with their students and complete a FERPA release form to access these platforms to view grades. Students are responsible for communication with their professors regarding grades and course material.

NSC staff will enter UAF grades into PowerSchool at each semester's end. 

Not directly. The North Star College director and high school counselor will monitor attendance in the support course and work with students and their parents if issues arise. UAF instructors may issue an "Attendance Alert" through the UAF Nanook Navigator system, which will then result in a conversation with the student and parent, as necessary. 

Currently, no. School district policy only allows for Advanced Placement courses to be weighed on a 5.0 scale. Classes taken through North Star College are weighed on the traditional 4.0 scale, however, we do offer an expanded credit for each semester. Here is the UAF to FNSBSD credit conversion:

1-2 college credit course=.5 high school credit per semester

3-4 college credit course=1.0 high school credit per semester

5-6 college credit course=1.5 high school credit per semester

North Star College students take a .5 credit advisory support class their first semester that teaches norms, skills, and strategies for success in college courses. UAF also has the Student Success Center which encompasses all academic supports and study spaces on the 6th floor of the UAF Library. (i.e. writing center, communication lab, math lab/tutoring that are free and available to all students. The NSC counselor and director are available to meet individually with students to help set goals and provide academic coaching.

Yes. Course/credit requirements for the APS are closely monitored by both the NSC counselor and the NSC/UAF advisor.  It is our hope that all students want to qualify for this scholarship and we are here to guide that process of completing the state requirements. 

North Star College will be the educational institution issuing the high school diploma.  Your diploma will say North Star College. Our NSC graduation ceremony is held on UAF's campus in the Davis Concert Hall each May.  Our students will only walk in our ceremony even if you attend a class at your attendance area school. 

Students can take up to two courses at their home attendance area school. Typically, these are during 5th or 6th periods at that school. NSC students are waitlisted until all students enrolled full time have been placed in courses. 

No. These recognitions will be awarded through NSC graduation. Similarly, NSC students will not be included in valedictorian or salutatorian running at their affiliate school.

The school district will cover tuition/course fees and required textbooks for North Star College students.

Students will be responsible for personal course equipment and supplies, such as lab coats, kits and art materials, as well any class subscriptions that instructors may want them to utilize. (i.e iClicker, NYTimes, etc.) Students will also pay to use other fee-based services on campus, such as on-campus parking or dining plans, if desired.

Students who drive to campus will need to purchase a parking decal, which currently costs approximately $184 per year or $106 per semester. Hourly, daily, weekly or monthly permits are also at the UAF parking kiosks or through the free Passport Parking app. Students should look closely at the campus map to determine which lots their parking permit covers.

Yes, students can continue participating in sports and ASAA activities at their home attendance area school or the school they’ve established eligibility at. All ASAA eligibility requirements apply. If a student is interested in participating in athletics, they should discuss their intent with the NSC counselor so they are not scheduled in late afternoon classes. Athletic eligibility for NSC students will only be determined at semester as college courses do not have equivalent quarter grades. 

No, North Star College is a school of choice, and FNSBSD does not provide transportation services to schools of choice. 

Yes. They will also be able to participate in the majority of UAF activities with parental consent. This includes attendance at UAF academic, community, and athletic events. As well, they are eligible for participation in intramural sports, most clubs, and student organizations. North Star College students are also eligible for many UAF student jobs, with additional parental and University of Alaska Human Resources approval. 

North Star College students will be enrolled in the university’s emergency alert system, just like other UAF students. In addition, they will have access to UAF’s personal safety app, Rave Guardian. Parents also will be able to sign up to receive emergency alerts from UAF. Visit uafalert.alaska.edu for more information. This website is also where UAF will share information in the event of an emergency.

Yes. They will be required to apply and upload a photo online to obtain a PolarExpress ID card.

Yes. Parents must sign a release form if the student is 15 - 17 years of age.