Native American College Scholarships: Empowering Future Generations

American Indians/Native Americans face unique challenges in accessing college education, making them one of the most underrepresented groups in higher education and among degree holders. Despite a strong desire to earn a degree, many American Indian students struggle to afford school, even with federal aid. Fortunately, numerous scholarship opportunities exist to support these dedicated students in achieving their educational goals.

The Importance of Education in Native American Communities

Throughout the United States, Native American communities face a shortage of qualified professionals, including teachers, engineers, doctors, communication specialists, business managers, social workers, and technicians. While well-paying jobs exist in these communities, too few Native Americans are equipped to fill them. Education is a pressing concern for the American Indian/Native American community, as it is essential for fostering self-sufficiency and advancement. Scholarships play a vital role in addressing this need by providing financial assistance and support to aspiring Native American students.

Native Forward: Investing in Rising Scholars

Native Forward is an organization that provides financial support to American Indians and Alaska Natives pursuing higher education, assisting them in attaining undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The organization's logo represents a "new day or new beginning," with the sun rising over a mountain. The mountain symbolizes the foundation upon which Native Forward was built, while the sun represents the rising scholar. The logo's linear and multi-colored nature symbolizes the diverse voices from Native communities coming together and working as one.

Being a Native Forward Scholar can be a transformative experience. According to RJ Morin Jr., it encourages and empowers students in their work for their family, community, and people, and allows them to expand their knowledge and relationships.

Another Native Forward Scholar emphasizes the sense of community it creates in higher education, while another states that the scholarship has allowed them to pursue their educational goals.

Read also: Investing in Native Education

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Scholarships

Part of the BIE’s mission is to prepare students to flourish in the opportunities of tomorrow with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors they need. The BIE serves American Indian and Alaska Native postsecondary students through higher education scholarships and support funding for tribal colleges and universities.

Key Scholarship Providers and Programs

A variety of organizations and programs offer scholarships specifically for Native American students. These scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education, making college more accessible.

The American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at tribal colleges and universities, or nonprofit, accredited schools. The College Fund manages a wide portfolio of scholarship programs, and TCU students are eligible for all their opportunities. Award amounts vary but average between $2,000 to $3,000. High school students should apply in the last semester of their senior year. The application is available every year starting on February 1st in anticipation of the upcoming fall term. Students attending TCUs are encouraged to complete their application by May 31st to receive priority review.

AIS Scholarship Program

The AIS Scholarship program aims to help undergraduate Native American/Alaska Native students with financial support to attend a college or university, maintain enrollment, and graduate. Scholarship Awards are based on need for the term the student is applying for and are allocated directly to the school for the student.

Eligibility Requirements:

Be a member of a Federally Recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe/Entity or a direct descendant of a base roll member.
Be an undergraduate student with no more than 150-semester credits or 210 quarter credits.

Required Documents:

Photo of the Applicant
Proof of Heritage
Essay
Statement of Fees/Cost of Attendance
Current Transcript (can be unofficial)
Thank You Letter (only required if your application is approved)

Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA)

AAIA has eight scholarship programs for graduate and undergraduate students. The Association’s scholarships are funded by an endowment from the Elizabeth and Sherman Asche Memorial Scholarship, the Homborg Scholarship and the Mary Hemenway Memorial Funds, and donors. The Association's scholarships are provided to students twice per year until they graduate, as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend full-time.

Catching the Dream Scholarship

Catching the Dream Scholarship offers scholarship with the amount $5,000.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

American Chemistry Society Scholars Program: ACS awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who wish to pursue a career in chemistry or related fields.
Intertribal Timber Council - Truman D. Picard Scholarship: Scholarships for Native American students pursuing higher education in Natural Resources.
Nez Perce Trail Foundation Scholarship: Three scholarships awarded to Native Americans students.
Society for American Archaeology Native American Scholarships: Open to all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Islanders.
Steven R. Udall Scholarship: Scholarships for sophomore and junior level Native American and Alaska Native college students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy, Native American education, justice, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, economic development, health care, social work, and other related fields.
Washington Indian Gaming Association: Students pursuing degrees at community and technical colleges, four-year colleges, and post-graduate and professional schools are eligible.
Washington State Indian Education Association: WSIEA offers a High School Merit Award Scholarship and a Higher Ed Merit Award.
Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program: The Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program provides scholarships to students pursuing veterinary medicine and veterinary technician degrees.
Native American Scholarship Program: This scholarship is funded by the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and administered by Education Forward Arizona. Students awarded with a scholarship are also required to participate in the Success Services Program, in partnership with Education Forward Arizona. Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis.

General Scholarship Application Tips for Native American Students

Provide Proof of Native American Descent: Native American-specific scholarships typically require documentation and proof of Native American descent and lineage. Certain scholarships may be limited to people from a specific tribe.
Explore Other Scholarship Options: As an American Indian student, you don't need to limit your scholarship search solely to awards based on ethnicity. Other national and campus-based programs also serve American Indians.
Consider Scholarships for Low-Income or First-Generation Students: Scholarships and grants for low-income or first-generation students are options for many American Indian students who meet those criteria.
Highlight Academic and Athletic Achievements: American Indian students who do well academically or athletically shouldn't rule out finding scholarships based on those characteristics, either.
Pay Attention to Deadlines: Each scholarship program has its own deadlines, so be sure to check the requirements carefully.
Submit a Complete Application: Incomplete applications will not be processed. Make sure to include all required documents and information.

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