The following is primarily for students attending college outside of Alaska (from www.pfd.state.ak.us):

Don't lose your PFD while you're away at school!

Congratulations! You've graduated from high school and now you're leaving Alaska to continue your education. This is especially for you. Now that you're living outside the state, every year we'll look at your application more closely. If you don't fill out your PFD application carefully and completely, or you fail to answer our request for additional information, you stand a good chance of having your dividend delayed, or even worse, having your dividend denied. Reading and understanding the following tips and guidelines should help you maintain your eligibility.

Attendance at School

1. If your school charges non-residents a different tuition from what it charges its state residents, usually you must be paying out-of-state tuition in order to remain qualified for the dividend. Each year, the school's registrar must verify your enrollment, whether there is a distinction in tuition, and what type of tuition you are paying.

2. You must be enrolled and attend as a full-time student. Your school's registrar will have to verify that you are registered as a full-time student. You can lose your dividend if your enrollment drops below full-time.

3. Many students take part-time or even full-time jobs to help pay for their education. Make sure you don't claim to be a resident of the state in which you're attending school on your employment records. You must be a resident of Alaska at all times in order to be eligible for the dividend.

4. If you are required to file a state tax return to report the wages you earned, make sure you file as a non-resident if the option is available. Some states will require that you file as a resident or part-year resident.

5. If you aren't registered to vote, you can register by mail. Beware of voter registration drives held on campus. If you register to vote in another state, you terminate your residency in Alaska and you will lose your dividend. Visit Division of Elections for more information.

Leaving School

1. Alaska statutes provide that a student may be absent from the state 120 days in addition to actualÊfull-time enrollment andÊattendance at school. Be careful that you don't exceed that number. Taking one or two courses during the summer is not full-time enrollment andÊattendance.

2. A person must return to Alaska every two years and remain in the state for at least 72 consecutive hours in order to continue to be eligible for the dividend.

Words to the Wise

1. When filing, read the application very carefully and answer ALL questions required on the front and back of the application as well as the questions on the Supplemental Schedule.

2. Answer any letter you get promptly. If you don't answer all questions on the application, you will receive a letter from us requesting the missing information. When student dividends are delayed, it's generally because they haven't supplied the information we've requested. If we don't receive the information requested from you by October 31, your dividend application will automatically be denied.

3. You will need to provide the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two adults who are Alaska residents who can verify your residency. Their signatures are not required.

4. File your original application by March 31!

PFD contact info:

Permanent Fund Dividend Division

11th floor, State Office Building

333 Willoughby Ave.

Juneau, AK 99811

(907) 465-2326 phone

(907) 465-3470 fax

E-mail: Dividend_Information@revenue.state.ak.us