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
AAIA is grateful for the vision and generosity of Mrs. Van Pelt and the Adolph Van Pelt Foundation in planning for the higher education of Native students. Without those like Mrs. Van Pelt and the Foundation, AAIA would not be able to provide as many scholarships to Native students seeking a higher education. This scholarship is for undergraduate students from federally recognized tribes.
AAIA provides undergraduate and graduate scholarships (including PhD, Law, Medicine) to Native American/Alaska Native students from tribes that are not on the list of tribes recognized by the federal government in the amount of $1,500 per year. $750 is disbursed October 1 and $750 is disbursed January 31 pending satisfactory grades and a spring schedule.
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
ACS awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who want to enter the fields of chemistry or chemistry-related fields. Awards are given to qualified students. African American, Hispanic, or American Indian high school seniors or college freshman, sophomores, or juniors pursuing a college degree in the chemical sciences or chemical technology are eligible to apply. [...] 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 American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program was started by the NSCDA in 1927 to give students of American Indian descent the opportunity to pursue careers in nursing. The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America has provided a small number of scholarship awards to assist students of American Indian heritage who are pursuing degrees in nursing or in the field of health care and [...] 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
Minority Fellows Program is a fellowship competition for individuals from under-represented backgrounds applying to doctoral programs in political science. The MFP was established in 1969 (originally as the Black Graduate Fellowship) to increase the number of minority scholars in the discipline.
Eligibility: -Be a member of one of the following racial/ethnic minority groups: African [...] More
Minority Fellowship Program applicants can be new or continuing graduate students. However, the MFP is primarily designed for minority students entering a doctoral program in sociology for the first time or for those who are in the early stages of their graduate programs. MFP applicants must be applying to or enrolled in sociology departments which have strong mental health research programs [...] More
Diversity Scholarships are for full-time students who are members of a minority ethnic group and bring diversity to campus. Ethnicity and financial need are two of the factors considered. Verify your eligibility with the Office of Admission or Financial Aid.
For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
AWWA and its members recognize the importance of investing in students as the future of the water industry. The Holly A. Cornell Scholarship was created by CH2M Hill, Inc. to honor the name of Holly A. Cornell, co-founder of CH2M Hill and to encourage and support outstanding female and/or minority students pursuing advanced training in the field of water supply and [...] More
At Brown and Caldwell, we value diversity in the workplace, supporting organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers. We also offer a $5,000 Minority Scholarship to support students who identify as minorities and are interested in pursuing a career in the environmental profession.
Applicant must b e a United States citizen or [...] More
Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available for California African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic students expressing financial need to study nutrition, physical education or culinary arts in the state of California. By providing undergraduate and graduate scholarships, CANFIT hopes to encourage more students to consider [...] 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
The Cherokee Nation's Higher Education Office awards scholarships to selected Cherokee Nation Tribal Citizens pursuing degrees at a college or university accredited with Carnegie units.
Eligibility: -Applicant must posses a tribal citizenship card showing citizenship in the Cherokee Nation -Applicant must be attending or plan to attend a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. [...] More
Chickasaw citizens pursuing higher education from accredited institutions are eligible to receive various grants and scholarships to assist with the cost of tuition, books and fees. Chickasaw students attending an accredited college, who are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, may be awarded a clothing grant for each classification (e.g. freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate, or [...] More
Chickasaw citizens pursuing higher education from accredited institutions are eligible to receive various grants and scholarships to assist with the cost of tuition, books, and fees. The higher education grant may be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher each semester.
For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
The Chips Quinn Scholars Program for Diversity in Journalism offers students hands-on training and mentoring by caring news veterans. More than 1,300 men and women have been named Chips Quinn Scholars since 1991, making it the largest and most enduring diversity initiative of the Newseum Institute. The program's aim is to provide training and support that will open doors to news and information [...] More
The First Generation Minority Student Scholarship is available for students enrolled in the College of Undergraduate Studies. This scholarship provides an opportunity for minority students whose parents did not attend college to complete a Christian college degree. CCU will support the students through a series of academic, personal, mentoring, and leadership development activities. The selection [...] 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 Elms College ElmSTEM program, supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, awards scholarship funds to students who major in STEM fields and attend Elms College full-time. In order to apply, you must be a prospective full-time, first-year student at Elms College; be a prospective major in biology, computer information technology, chemistry, or mathematics, except for clinical [...] More
The goal of the EPP Undergraduate Scholars Program is to increase the number of students who undertake course work and graduate with degrees in targeted academic fields integral to NOAA's mission. This program targets students who have completed their sophomore year, attending minority serving institutions (MSIs), and have recently declared, or about to declare a major in atmospheric, oceanic, or [...] More
The ESA Foundation scholarships are offered for full-time undergraduate study at accredited four-year colleges and universities in the USA. Up to 30 scholarships of $3,000 each will be awarded annually, 15 to graduating high school seniors and 15 to current college students. Women and minority students are eligible to apply, so long as they are U.S. citizens and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. Students [...] More
The F.A. and Charlotte Blount Scholarship was established in 1997 to provide college scholarships to graduating Forsyth County high school seniors who will pursue a four-year baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university. To receive consideration, applicants must be African-American or Hispanic, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. For more information or to [...] More
The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college-bound students. Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time in transportation, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, PreMed, psychology, Spanish language/literature. The applicant does not have to be a U.S. citizen but must have a minimum 3.5 [...] More
Native American/Alaska Native undergraduate students attending tribal colleges and universities are eligible to apply for both the American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship Program and the American Indian College Fund TCU Scholarship Program.
Minimum general eligibility requirements for both scholarships include: -U.S. citizenship -Enrollment in an accredited tribal college or [...] More
George A. Strait Minority Scholarships are awarded annually to college graduates with meaningful law library experience who are members of a minority group as defined by current U.S. government guidelines, are degree candidates in an accredited library or law school, and who intend to have a career in law librarianship. Applicants must show evidence of financial need. To apply for the George A. [...] 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
In 1988, Hyatt established this fund to provide financial aid to minority students pursuing a degree in hotel management. Eligible students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours for the upcoming fall and spring semesters, or just the fall semester if graduating in December. Applicants must be pursuing a baccalaureate hospitality management major in a U.S. college or university and be at [...] More
IIE's scholarship and fellowship program is in place to recognize graduate and undergraduate industrial engineering students for academic excellence and campus leadership. The UPS Scholarship for Minority Students is available to undergraduate students enrolled in any school in the United States and its territories, Canada, and Mexico, where the school's industrial engineering program or [...] 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 New York Women in Communications Foundation, in conjunction with New York Women in Communications, awards the Interpublic Group (IPG) Scholarship and Internship annually based on academic excellence, need and involvement in the field of communications.
Each is awarded to an ethnically diverse student who is currently a college junior and has a demonstrated interest in a career in [...] More
The Leon Bradley Scholarship Program is established to encourage more minorities or persons of color to enter the field to teaching and school leadership. AASPA believes that it is of benefit for all students to experience diversity among the educators who serve as role models for our students. Thus, the American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) will annually award up to two [...] 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 Native American Supplemental Grant is for Native American and Alaska natives pursuing full-time post-secondary education who have been awarded the Presbyterian Study Grant and have remaining need.
Eligible applicants must be full-time M.Div. or M.A.C.E. students attending a Presbyterian Church U.S.A.-related seminary at the following institutions: -Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary [...] More
The Ohio Newspapers Foundation will award a scholarship to a minority high school senior in Ohio who plans to major in a field relevant to the newspaper industry, particularly journalism, advertising, marketing, or communications degree program at an Ohio college or university.
Eligibility: -Applicant must be a graduating senior at an Ohio high school. Awardee must be enrolled as college [...] 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
Carole Simpson is a former RTDNF trustee and the 1996 recipient of the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award in recognition of her work to protect First Amendment Freedoms. She established the Carole Simpson Scholarship to encourage and help minority students to overcome hurdles along their career path in electronic journalism. Students must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors at the time the [...] More
Ed Bradley is best known for his award-winning work in 26 years on CBS News' 60 Minutes and as the first African-American White House TV correspondent. He established the Ed Bradley Scholarship in 1994. Students must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors at the time the scholarship is awarded and be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. Winners must be officially enrolled, [...] 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
SOARS encourages applications from individuals who are members of a group that is historically under-represented in the atmospheric and related sciences, including students who are Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Hispanic or Latino, female, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. SOARS welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [...] More
This program was established in honor of the late James. E. Webb, Regent Emeritus and former Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to promote excellence in the management of not-for-profit organizations.
These opportunities are intended to increase participation of minority groups who are under-represented in the management of scientific and cultural [...] 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
The Surety Industry Scholarship Program provides awards of up to $5,000 to outstanding minority students to support their studies in the areas of insurance/risk management, accounting, or business/finance and to encourage their consideration of the surety industry and surety underwriting as a career choice. Applicants must have a declared insurance/risk management, accounting or business/finance [...] More
The Minority Teaching Fellows Program is intended to encourage talented minority Tennesseans to enter the teaching field in Tennessee. The award is for students who are pursing a teacher certification at an eligible Tennessee college or university.
To be eligible, the applicant must: -Be a minority Tennessee resident and a U.S. citizen -Be a high school senior or a continuing college [...] 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
The mission of the Herbert Lehman Fund is to help transform the promise of racial equality into a social, economic, and political reality for all people by supporting talented undergraduate students who need financial help to stay in school and successfully complete their bachelor's degree. Applicants must be African-American, graduating high school seniors; first-year students in an accredited [...] More
In honor of the distinguished essayist & poet Kurt Brown, Laure-Anne Bosselaar Brown - Kurt Brown's wife and a faculty member of the Solstice MFA Program - and Lee Hope, Editor-in-chief of Solstice: A Magazine of Diverse Voices, underwrite an annual fellowship of $1,000 to a writer in any genre.
All applicants are welcome to apply. The Kurt Brown Fellowship especially seeks to support [...] 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
Summer Student Fellowships at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed their junior or senior year at colleges or universities and are studying in any of the fields of science or engineering including but not limited to the fields of biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, geophysics, mathematics, meteorology, physics, oceanography, and [...] 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
The Education Department will rewrite its overhaul of a 2016 Obama Loan Rule - most likely by dropping the "most restrictive provisions" of an earlier attempt to replace the borrower-defense rule. The loan rule outlines how borrowers who were defrauded or misled by their college can seek loan forgiveness. [...]
Despite evidence that transfer students from community colleges are highly likely to succeed academically and bring diversity to more competitive colleges, a new study reveals that elite colleges are less likely to admit them. [...]
Across the nation, nearly 20 states offer statewide free college programs in an effort to increase the number of students attending college. The hope is that "five years from now, we would expect that a majority of the states in the country would have free college tuition, and that would be a tipping point." States including Tennessee, Arkansas, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Rhode Island have already rolled out statewide free community-college programs, "and more are expected to follow." [...]
