American Indians/Native Americans face a unique set of challenges in gaining access to a college education and are one of the most underrepresented groups both in college and in the degree-holding population. There are fewer Native Americans than other minorities in higher education, and with extreme poverty and limited access to educational resources remaining persistent problems on reservations and educated professionals also in short supply in many communities, education is a pressing concern for the American Indian/Native American community. Despite a strong desire to earn a degree, many American Indian students find themselves in a position where they cannot easily pay for school, even with the help of federal student financial aid. Fortunately, there are American Indian and Mative American scholarship opportunities for students who are dedicated to beating the odds and earning a degree.
A variety of American Indian scholarships exist to help students attain a college education that will benefit not only them, but their families and communities. In some instances, tribal scholarships or other local scholarships are available to American Indian students, though often the award amounts fall significantly shy of the actual cost of attending college. Numerous national American Indian scholarship providers offer more substantial awards to deserving students. American Indian students often qualify for other scholarships for minorities, as well. These awards are often the most substantial, though also the most competitive.
Native American-specific scholarships will typically require documentation and proof of Native American descent and lineage. Also, certain scholarships may be limited to a people from a specific tribe, such as the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, or Seminole tribes. Always be sure to read the rules and eligibility carefully before applying.
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. Scholarships and grants for low-income or first-generation students are options for many American Indian students who meet those criteria. American Indian students who do well academically or athletically shouldn't rule out finding scholarships based on those characteristics, either. If you start early and thoroughly investigate scholarship options, you will be able to fund your education with American Indian scholarships and other financial aid.
This program places minority students interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing at Science Magazine for 10 weeks over the summer. Interns experience what it's like to cover the scientific and technological issues that shape our global community. The internship is open to any minority undergraduate with a serious interest in science writing. Preference will [...] More
The Diversity Scholarship focuses on broadening the number of traditionally underrepresented groups in the management and operation ranks of the transportation, travel, and tourism industry.
Eligible candidates must have completed, at a minimum, their first year of college at an accredited university; must have a declared major or course of study relevant to the transportation, travel, and [...] More
The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives established this scholarship in honor of Albert W. Dent, the first African-American Fellow of ACHE. This scholarship is offered to provide financial aid to minority students in healthcare management graduate programs to help offset tuition costs, student loans and expenses. Offered annually, the Albert W. Dent Graduate Student [...] More
The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for Black/African American, Hispanic, Native North American and Pacific Islander students.
Each applicant must fulfill all the requirements listed below: -Intent on pursuing a career in the actuarial profession -Must have at least one birth parent who is a member of one of the [...] More
The LITA/LSSI Minority Scholarship, established in 1994, is awarded annually by the Library and Information Technology Association, a division of the American Library Association, and Library Systems and Services, Inc.
The scholarship is designed to encourage the entry of qualified persons into the library and automation field who plan to follow a career in that field; who demonstrate [...] More
The AMS Minority Scholarships will award funding to minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students. Funding for the scholarships is provided by donations made by members to the AMS Giving Program. The two-year scholarship is distributed once per year during freshman and sophomore years [...] More
Catching the Dream is a national Native American education and scholarship center. Our high-priority areas of study are math, engineering, science, business, education, and computers. These fields of study are critical to the future of Indian people and the nation, and Native Americans are very underrepresented in these fields.
Our strategy is to actively seek out Native American high school [...] More
Catharine Lealtad Scholarships are named for Macalester's first African American graduate, Catharine Lealtad, who graduated in 1915. These scholarships are awarded to selected African American, Latino, and Native American students with strong high school records. The Admissions committee selects recipients. There is no special application to complete. Lealtad Scholarships will be renewed at the [...] More
In order to apply for the Edward S. Roth Scholarship, applicants must be graduating high school seniors, current full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in manufacturing engineering. Must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preferences will be given to students demonstrating financial need, minority students and students participating in a Co-Op program. Must be seeking a [...] More
The First In The Family Freedom From Religion Foundation Catherine Fahringer Memorial award is available to high school youth who live in the U.S. who identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist and/or secular, and are accepted into two or four-year colleges. Preference is given to students of color (Black/African American, Latino(a), Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American) who are (or have been) in [...] More
The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship is open to students of color (African-American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander) attending a non-profit public or private college/university majoring in fine arts, including all visual and performing arts. Applicants must have financial need, be a Kent County resident, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually, primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career. To be eligible for the Hackett Family Scholarship, students must be seniors at, or have graduated from any Grand Rapids public high school in Grand Rapids Michigan and will be an undergraduate student attending an accredited [...] More
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation administers and awards the following Law Scholarships to students of color (African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander or Alaskan Native).
The Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color currently residing in Michigan (with preference given to West Michigan residents) [...] More
The Warner Norcross & Judd Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color pursuing a law degree at any accredited law school in the United States. The applicant must be a current or former resident of Michigan if they are not currently attending a school in Michigan. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
The Indiana CPA Society provides financial assistance to encourage accounting careers and promote financial activities for Indiana students. One such effort is the awarding of $50,000 in scholarships since 2002 to 57 students at independent campuses across the state through the Indiana CPA Educational Foundation.
Applicants must be an under-represented U.S. racial/ethnic minority student [...] More
The Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students awards a scholarship for undergraduate studies of religion, journalism, or communications. The scholarship assists a United Methodist undergraduate who intends to pursue a career in religious journalism through study at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be a United Methodist ethnic [...] More
We strongly encourage underrepresented groups to pursue STEM fields of study. Because we greatly value a broad range of perspectives and contributions, a large majority of our scholarships will be awarded to female students, underrepresented minority students (African-American, Hispanic or Native American etc.) or students with disabilities. We will review all applications and select final [...] More
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides post-secondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award. Scholarships are available to eligible Indian undergraduate students enrolled at least three-quarters of the time and graduate students enrolled at least half-time.
Minority teacher education scholars program is a collaborative performance-based scholarship program for African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and Native American students. The participants in the program include Florida’s Florida College System institutions and its public and private universities that have teacher education programs.
Applicants must be a resident of the State [...] More
If you plan to teach at a non-profit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, for which the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has determined that no less than 30% of the enrolled students are African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American; and you are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American [...] More
The Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship is available to Osage students pursuing post-secondary education at the associate level or beyond. A wide range of educational choices is supported, including associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs at accredited schools. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 and be in good standing to remain eligible [...] More
Page Grants are awarded to Minnesota students of color who attend Minnesota post-secondary schools and agree to complete annual service projects with young children. Students at all levels of academic achievement can qualify for a grant. The selection process highlights an applicant’s attitude toward education, willingness to provide service to children, and financial need.
The Student Opportunity Scholarship program serves Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) college students by providing need-based aid for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are full-time, first-degree students attending accredited institutions in the United States. Student Opportunity Scholarship applicants will explore who God created them to be in a series of essay questions intended for students to [...] More
The Sault Tribe Higher Education Grant Program is for Sault Tribe members attending a Michigan state-supported two- or four-year college or university full-time (12 credit hours or more). Grants are based on unmet financial need as determined by the individual college in which the student is enrolled.
Applicants must be attending a Michigan state-supported two-year or four-year college or [...] More
The Native American Awards Internship falls within the Native American Awards Program which supports students, who are formally or informally affiliated with a Native American community or tribe, to visit the Institution to learn about research or other museum-related activities using its Native American-related resources.
Internship Awards are available for students currently enrolled in an [...] More
Applications submitted by eligible Native American students each spring are reviewed by members of the Scholarship Committee, who award the competitive grants. Up to $2,000 per year is paid directly to each recipient’s college or university. Grantees must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 and submit grades to us each semester.
Applicants must be of Native American or Alaska [...] More
LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship recipients will receive a trip to New York or San Francisco where they will participate in career building activities including a welcome dinner with a keynote speaker, two daylong career & professional development workshops and a scholarship and donor recognition reception. Applicants must be from a minority ethnic group, studying a field of study [...] More
The Truman D. Picard Scholarship is dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing higher education in natural resources. Applicants must submit a letter of application, resume, three letters of recommendation and evidence of validated enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation, as established by the U.S. government (i.e. a photocopy of an enrollment [...] More
In addition to receiving a $10,000 Vinson & Elkins Scholarship, each V&E Scholar is offered summer internships. To be eligible to become a Vinson & Elkins Scholar, students must attend and be in good standing at a high school accredited by the Texas Education Agency. The high school must also be located in the greater Austin, Dallas or Houston area. Only high school seniors may apply. You must be [...] More
A highly-educated American Indian population is vital for improving the economic sufficiency and prosperity of American Indian communities located within the state of Washington. To this end, Washington State, in collaboration with the American Indian Community and other private sector partners, established the American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES). This program provides educational [...] More
Awards under this program are made to Wisconsin residents who are at least 25% Native American and are undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a degree or certificate programs at the University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, independent colleges and universities, tribal colleges, or proprietary institutions based in Wisconsin. Awards are based on financial need with a limit of [...] More
Awards under the Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention Grants are made to Wisconsin resident minority undergraduates, excluding first-year students, enrolled at least half-time in independent, tribal, or Wisconsin Technical College institutions. According to the statutes, a minority student is defined as a student who is either an African American; American Indian; Hispanic; or Southeast [...] More
The Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant provides grant assistance to the most financially needy and educationally disadvantaged Wisconsin resident students attending colleges and universities in the State of Wisconsin. First-time freshmen students are nominated for the TIP Grant by the school financial aid offices or by counselors of the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs (WEOP). To [...] More
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren is proposing the elimination of existing college student loan debt for millions of Americans; over 42 million individuals. [...]
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's engineering school will soon be called the "Grainger College of Engineering" after receiving another $100 million gift from The Grainger Foundation. The Grainger donation is the largest amount ever gifted to a public university to rename a college. [...]
Thirteen parents and one coach charged in the "Operation Varsity Blues" college cheating scandal will plead guilty in accordance with plea agreements. While elite parents implicated in the admissions scandal cheated to help their children get into college, there is a growing concern about how students, in general, may be cheating their way through college; specifically by buying ghostwritten essays online. [...]
