Scholarships are a form of financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid in most cases. There are many scholarships and other forms of financial assistance available to help Native American students pay for college.
This guide provides a sample list of Native American college scholarships, an overview of common eligibility requirements, and tips for applying.
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying to scholarships, check that you meet the eligibility requirements. Scholarships have unique award criteria, so it’s important to review and verify whether you meet all of them.
That being said, some common factors that can impact qualifying for a scholarship include where you live, field of study, grade point average (GPA), financial need, leadership experience, and degree type.
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How to Find Native American Scholarships
Scholarships for higher education may be offered by academic institutions, employers, charitable foundations, and state, local, or tribal governments.
Finding scholarships for Native American students starts with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial need. It’s common for scholarship programs to use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based awards.
After filling out the FAFSA, there are online resources to help search for scholarships. The Department of Labor maintains a scholarship database, known as CareerOneStop. Additionally, the National Indian Education Association keeps a list of scholarships for Native Americans to pursue higher education.
SoFi’s scholarship finder is another resource to find free money to help pay for an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree. Users can filter by residency, field of study, ethnicity, and other criteria to narrow their search.
Scholarships for Native American Students
Though Native American students account for just 1% of undergraduate enrollment in the U.S., there are numerous Native American scholarships offered by tribal governments, non-profits, private companies, and other entities.
For a chance to win SoFi’s monthly $2,500 Scholarship Sweepstakes, you’ll just need to submit your name, email address, and school.
Browse the college scholarships for Native American students below to see what additional opportunities you qualify for.
• American Indian Education Fund Scholarships: Awards for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• American Indian Services Scholarship: Awards for undergraduate students who are enrolled members of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe.
• Catching the Dream Scholarship: Awards for Native American and Alaska Native students to study business administration, economic development, and related subjects.
• Cherokee Nation Higher Education Scholarships: Multiple scholarships for registered Cherokee citizens pursuing an associate, bachelor’s, or graduate degree.
• Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship: Awards for master’s degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino populations.
• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars Scholarship: Awards for undergraduate Native American students who are enrolled tribal members and plan to work in education or social services with a tribe or nation.
• DAR American Indian Scholarship: Awards for Native American students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, with preference given to undergrad students.
• EDSA Diversity Scholarships: Awards for Native American and minority students to continue studying landscape architecture, either at graduate school or in the final two years of an undergraduate program.
• Full Circle and Tribal College Scholarships: Awards for Native American and Alaska Native students seeking technical, undergraduate, and graduate degrees at tribal colleges or accredited non-profit schools.
• The Gates Scholarship: Highly-competitive, merit- and need-based awards for minority high school seniors from low-income backgrounds.
• Hopi Tribe Grants and Scholarships Program: Multiple awards for enrolled members of the Hopi Tribe to pursue post-secondary and professional degrees.
• Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant: Financial assistance to Native American and other minority students enrolled at a college in Wisconsin.
• NACME Scholarships: Awards for Native American, African American, and Hispanic-American students enrolled in an undergraduate engineering or computer science program.
• Native American Scholarship Program: Merit-based awards for Native American college students with proof of tribal registration.
• Native Forward Scholars Fund: Scholarships and support services for Native American students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
• NativeVision Scholarship: Scholarships for Native American students to help fund their first year of college.
• Truman D. Picard Scholarship: Awards for Native American and Native Alaskan students pursuing careers in natural resources.
• Udall Undergraduate Scholarship: Awards for college sophomores and juniors who demonstrate a commitment to issues related to Tribal policy, the environment, or healthcare.
• USET Scholarship Fund: One-time award for Native American college students who are members of United South and Eastern tribes.
• Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship: Awards for enrolled members of a U.S. federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe pursuing a degree in gaming, tourism, financial, or hospitality industries.
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Types of Scholarships Available for Native Americans
Most students use multiple funding sources to pay for college. There are multiple types of scholarships for Native Americans to look into, including awards based on academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, discipline or area of study, and more.
Native American students may be eligible to apply for other scholarships for minorities, too. Keep in mind that awards with a wider application pool are often more competitive.
First-generation college students, veterans, and active service members also have specific scholarships available to them.
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Need-Based Scholarships
The cost of college can be a barrier for many students. Need-based financial aid, including scholarships, is intended to make attending college more affordable for eligible students.
Need-based scholarships are typically determined based on the information students provide on the FAFSA. They may include grants for college expenses, work-study programs, and federal student loans.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Students may qualify for scholarships based on their academics. Merit-based scholarships typically consider a student’s standardized test scores, GPA, or academic performance in a specific subject area.
Class rank is another factor that may be used to determine merit scholarship eligibility.
Tips for Applying
With so many scholarships to choose from, the application process may feel overwhelming. Here are some quick tips to guide your scholarship applications.
First, take note of the application deadlines and required materials for each scholarship, including essays, transcripts, and letters of recommendation. A scholarship checklist can keep you organized and on schedule with applications.
Plus, it’s helpful to have the details for every scholarship you’re applying to when asking a teacher or supervisor to write a letter of recommendation. Double check that whomever you ask fulfills the application requirements, as some scholarships may require a letter from a guidance counselor or a teacher of a core academic subject.
Finally, remember that students can apply for scholarships throughout their studies. In some cases, scholarships may be specifically intended for upperclassmen versus first-year students.
To avoid leaving money on the table, plan to research and apply for scholarships every year.
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The Takeaway
There are numerous scholarships and grants available to make college more affordable for Native American students. It’s not uncommon for students to need additional financing, such as federal and private student loans, to fill any funding gaps for college. It’s important to use federal loans first, as they come with borrower protections and income-driven repayment plans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
Do I need to be an enrolled tribal member for these scholarships?
Yes, many scholarships for Native Americans require applicants to be enrolled tribal members. Some awards are available only to members of federally recognized tribes or nations.
Are there scholarships for non-Native spouses of tribal members?
Generally, Native American scholarships are reserved for applicants with tribal membership or who are at least ¼ American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Can I apply for multiple Native American scholarships?
Yes, you can apply for multiple Native American scholarships. Students may combine multiple scholarships, grants, and other financial aid to pay for college.
Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions
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