Native American students pursuing higher education have unique opportunities to stack multiple scholarship awards; in addition to qualifying for typical merit awards or other criteria, Native students will also find they have access to a breadth of Native American–specific scholarships. There are opportunities for high school, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students, but it’s essential to follow these three action steps to maximize your potential of winning these awards.
1. Research your family history
Scholarships for Native American students can be generous as well as renewable for multiple years of education. They all require official documentation supporting membership of the student or their parent or grandparent in a tribe. If you’re not already in possession of this documentation from your family’s tribe, advanced genealogical research is recommended—you want to be ready to expedite applications. There are many ways to start researching your family tree. First, start conversations with or write to your relatives to learn more about your family history. Reach out to libraries, historical societies, and regional branches of the National Archives (branches are located throughout the US) to have a higher potential of finding the information you need. The Board for Certification of Genealogists is an organization that can also help you find a professional researcher; they can assist you in finding birth, marriage, and death records to track your Native American heritage.
Related: Learn about five incredible people in our Native American Heroes of History series
2. Connect with national organizations that support Native American students
National organizations are incredible sources of support and information—and most of them have specific scholarships you can apply for as well. For example, the American Indian College Fund provides scholarships for Native American and Alaskan Native students who are seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees. Established in 1947, the Association on American Indian Affairs is the oldest Native American scholarship program, with opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must be members of a tribal nation, but their nation doesn’t have to be among the nations recognized by the federal government. Additional Native-supporting organizations and services include the Bureau of Indian Education, Partnership With Native Americans, and the Native Forward Scholars Fund, which was created to support Native students through funding, fellowships, and academic resources. Check out some specific scholarship opportunities and resources from these organizations below:
Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarship
The Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarship is awarded to full-time students enrolled in two-year, four-year, or graduate programs with a 2.5 minimum GPA. Applicants must be directly recognized as a citizen member of a tribe, which may be federally or non-federally recognized. Scholarships are provided to recipients twice a year until they graduate as long as they maintain a 2.5 GPA and full-time attendance. Award amounts aren’t disclosed, and the deadline is May 31 each year.
Partnership With Native Americans AIEF Scholarships
In addition to food and water, emergency services, holiday support, health care, and much more, Partnership With Native Americans offers American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) Scholarships that are available for undergraduate, graduate, and vocational school students who are Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian. Students may apply for these awards each year and don't need a particular GPA to qualify. The scholarships are worth up to $2,000, and the deadline falls in April each year.
American Indian College Fund Scholarships
The American Indian College Fund offers scholarships for US and Canadian students who are enrolled in certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and graduate programs. Applicants must have a 2.0 minimum GPA and be registered as enrolled members of federal or state-recognized tribes or descendants of at least one grandparent or parent who is an enrolled tribal member. Award amounts average between $2,000–$3,000, and the deadline is May 31.
Native Forward Scholars Fund opportunities
The Native Forward Scholars Fund offers a variety of scholarships for Native American and Alaska Native students at different academic levels. The All Native American High School Academic Team is awarded to high school seniors with "outstanding academic achievements, leadership in school, civic and extracurricular activities, and motivation to serve and succeed." Graduate fellowships provide flexible funding for students pursuing MA, MS, PhD, STEM, Medical, Law, MBA, and other professional degree programs. Undergraduate scholarships are available to support students pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees, with awards based on merit, need, and field of study. NFSF also offers scholarships specifically for STEM and health-related fields that are sponsored by government agencies and private donors aiming to increase Native representation in these areas. Award amounts and deadlines vary for these opportunities.
Related: Learn about specific STEM scholarship opportunities for minority students
3. Broaden your search
Many students make the mistake of only focusing on scholarships that align perfectly with their heritage. Try broadening your search to include scholarships for students from underrepresented minority groups, as opposed to just scholarships for Native American students, and your list of possible opportunities will expand tremendously. Examples include:
ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship
The American Bar Association offers the Legal Opportunity Scholarship for first-year law students who are Native American, Black/African American, Hispanic American, or Asian/Pacific Islander. A personal statement and two to four letters of recommendation are required, among other application materials. The award is worth $15,000 with a deadline of April 15
AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities
The American Meteorological Society awards a Scholarship for Underserved Communities for those who are historically underrepresented in the sciences, including Native American, Black/African American, and Hispanic students. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents who are starting their first year of college and planning to pursue careers in the atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences (except for marine biology). A minimum 3.0 GPA and one recommendation letter are also required. The $6,000 award is split over two years, and applications are due February 28.
CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color
CollegeXpress offers a quarterly Scholarship for Students of Color that Native American students are eligible for. Applicants must be people of color, US citizens, and 13 years or older. Just create a free CollegeXpress account (or log back in) and submit your answer to this question in just one sentence: What is your dream career? Recipients are randomly drawn and will receive $1,500, plus $500 donated in their name to the charity of their choice. Deadlines fall on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 each year.
Related: Organize your applications with our Scholarship Search Spreadsheet Template
The key steps to a more successful Native student scholarship search are spending time researching in advance, connecting with supportive organizations, and broadening the scope of your search. Anyone on a scholarship pursuit would be wise to follow these action steps not just during Native American Heritage Month but all year round. Good luck in your search!
Looking for even more scholarships to apply to? Take advantage of our Scholarship Search tool!
