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.
AAIA provides merit-based undergraduate and graduate scholarships to Native American/Alaska Native students enrolled in federally recognized tribes, state recognized tribes, and tribes not recognized by the federal government that are located in the continental U.S. and Alaska. Applicant mus be enrolled as a full-time student, have a minimum 2.5 GPA out of 4.0, and attend an accredited [...] More
The ABA 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 ACHE Albert W. Dent Graduate Student 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 Scholarship is designated for minority students enrolled in their final year of a healthcare management graduate program. Recipients [...] More
ACS awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who want to enter the fields of chemistry or chemistry-related fields.African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander (excluding Asian) 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. Eligibility: [...] 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 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 potential in, and a strong [...] More
The American Indian Nurse Scholarship Award Program was started 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 health education. [...] 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
The Minority Fellows Program (MFP) is a fellowship competition for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds applying to or in the early stages of doctoral programs in political science. Eligible applicants must: be a racial minority; be a US citizen, US national, US permanent resident (holder of a Permanent Resident Card), or an individual granted deferred action status under the Deferred [...] More
Through its Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), the American Sociological Association (ASA) supports the development and training of sociologists of color in any sub-area or specialty in the discipline. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in/completed one full academic year in a sociology program and are pursuing a doctorate. Candidates must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the U.S., have [...] More
Augustana University 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
The Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified students from minority groups underrepresented in our law schools. Applicants must be attending eligible law schools in the Bay Area, and must demonstrate financial need. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
Founded in 1986, Catching the Dream strives to help improve the quality of life in Indian communities through the higher education of Indian people by providing scholarship funds to Native college students who demonstrate academic achievement, clearly defined goals, leadership, the determination to succeed, and the desire to return to their communities and help others realize their dreams. The [...] More
The Cherokee Nation's Higher Education Office awards scholarships to selected Cherokee Nation Tribal Citizens pursuing degrees at a college or university. Eligible applicants can be high school seniors, undergraduates, or returning students, and they must reside within the Cherokee Nation. Deadlines will vary. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
The Chickasaw Nation 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. The program's aim is to provide training and support that will open doors to news and information careers and bring greater diversity to the newsrooms of the U.S. College juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates with majors in journalism or career [...] More
The CWGCS Fellowship on Women & Public Policy is open to graduate students in any NYS college or university who are pursuing careers in public policy. Participants receive a $10,000 stipend to cover living expenses and receive nine graduate credits from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, SUNY. Fellows must have a minimum of three years of prior work [...] More
The Elms College Elm STEM 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 EPP Undergraduate Scholarship 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 environmental disciplines that support these sciences. You must be a U.S. citizen currently enrolled or accepted as a full-time, second-year student in a four-year [...] 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
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. Continuing Gates Millennium [...] 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. For more [...] More
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 college/university or skilled trade school of their choice. Preference is given to women of color. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] 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) pursuing [...] 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 Interpublic Group Scholarship and Internship is awarded to an ethnically diverse student who is currently a college junior and has a demonstrated interest in a career in advertising or public relations. Candidates must be able to fulfill a paid internship during the summer prior to the academic year the scholarship is awarded. Eligible applicants must: be U.S. citizens or permanent residents [...] More
The Leon Bradley Scholarship Program was established to encourage more minorities or persons of color to enter the field of teaching and school leadership. The American Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA) believes that it is beneficial for all students to experience diversity among the educators who serve as role models for our students. Thus, AASPA will annually award 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
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. Applicants must be at [...] More
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 of [...] More
To be eligible for the Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen or meet the "undocumented student" criteria of the RISE act, be a resident of Illinois, be a minority student of either African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American origin, be a high school graduate or hold a GED, be enrolled or [...] 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 GPA of a 2.0 and be in good standing to remain eligible for scholarship [...] 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. You must be enrolled [...] More
The Carole Simpson Scholarship was established 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 scholarship is awarded and be pursuing careers in radio, television, or digital journalism. Winners must be officially enrolled, full-time sophomores or above in good standing [...] 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- or four-year college or university, [...] More
The SME Education Foundation annually awards millions of dollars in scholarships to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students pursuing two-year, four-year or advanced degrees in manufacturing or engineering. Applicants for any scholarship must be a permanent resident or citizen of the United States, have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and be on the path towards an associates, [...] More
The Smithsonian Institution James E. Webb Internship is offered to racial minority students who are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in business and public administration. Eligible applicants must be legal us residents, and have a 3.0 GPA. Deadlines are February 1 for summer and fall, and October 1 for spring. For more details and to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
The Smithsonian Minority Awards Program - Internship is offered to underrepresented groups in the in the disciplines of research conducted at the institution, and in the museum field. Eligible applicants must be formally enrolled in an undergraduate or in a graduate program (this includes community college students), and have a 3.0 GPA. Deadlines are February 1 for summer and fall, and October 1 [...] 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 Minority Teaching Fellows Program is intended to encourage talented minority Tennesseans to enter the teaching field in Tennessee. This award is for students who are pursing a teacher certification at an eligible Tennessee college or university. Applicant must be a minority Tennessee resident and U.S. citizen, a high school senior who has a minimum 2.75 GPA and scored at least an 18 on the [...] More
The American Indian Education Fund Undergraduate Scholarship service supports educational opportunities for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students. Applicants must be full-time undergrad students attending a 2 or 4-year college/university or technical/vocational school. Preference is given to students with a GPA between 2.0-3.5 and an ACT score of 14 or above, but all [...] 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
The Kurt Brown Fellowship for Diverse Voices supports an incoming student of diverse background or experience who also demonstrates financial need. All applicants are welcome to apply. The Kurt Brown Fellowship especially seeks to support individuals from cultural, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds who otherwise might not be adequately represented in the program. For more information or to [...] More
LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship recipients will receive a trip to NYC 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 and be a full-time student at a four-year accredited [...] 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
GBHEM Scholarships administers scholarship programs with one general application. Criteria for each scholarship program varies. GBHEM offers Racial-Ethnic scholarships to minority racial or ethnic members of the United Methodist Church. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] 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
Because of lower enrollment rates, transfer students can stand to benefit from colleges who are eager to hit their yearly enrollment goals. Schools with a smaller-than-average student body this year may be more receptive to accepting a greater number of transfer students than in previous years. [...]
The state of Michigan is set to offer two years of free community college to essential workers who were required by their job to leave the house and work at least 11 weeks in the spring during the coronavirus pandemic. This unique opportunity, called Futures for Frontliners, opens doors to essential workers who are not commonly considered front-line workers and an estimated 600,000 residents could qualify. [...]
Many colleges have waived SAT and ACT score requirements for high school seniors currently applying to college due to how difficult it has been to sign up for standardized testing during the coronavirus pandemic. Now some colleges are also waiving standardized test score requirements when awarding merit scholarships to incoming students. Instead of requiring SAT and ACT scores, these schools will award scholarships based on high school GPA. [...]
