Native American Scholarships

The Bureau of Indian Affair provides two schools of higher education for Native American students. Both are accredited and only require minimal fees (under a $300 a semester) to attend, which includes tuition, housing, meals, and books. To attend one must be a member of a federally recognized tribe.

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) is a two-year school in Albuquerque, NM. It operates on a trimester system and offers a number of vocational programs. It has programs in business, technology, and unique vocational programs like vision care and early childhood development. It also offers a Liberal Arts degree for those who would like to get their pre-requisites done before moving to a four-year school.

Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell Indian Nations University is a four-year college in Lawrence, KS. Lawrence is also home to the University of Kansas, making Lawrence a wonderful college town. Haskell is over a hundreds year old and has grown from a vocational school, high school, to a junior college, to a four-year institution. It has a number of two-years degrees and has Bachelor programs in business, American Indian studies, environmental science, and elementary education.

In addition to the BIA schools there are colleges that have tuition scholarships for Native American Studies. This is by no means an exhaustive list, so check schools and any rumors you hear. Some schools may not have a true Native American scholarship program but by contacting financial aid they can put a significant package together.

Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO has a tuition waiver program for the Native American student. Students still must cover other expenses like books, fees, and housing, but this could be a very good option to investigate.

University of Maine System

The University of Maine System has a program that covers, tuition, fees, room and board. However, they have a residency requirement to be fulfilled as a Maine resident or to be enrolled in a select set of Maine tribes. It is something to consider as it is a significant Native American scholarship. Plus, it also encompasses graduate school.

Montana University System

The Montana University System has a similar program as Maine's, with two distinctions. First, Native American Student's must be 1/4 Indian blood. Second, this is a tuition waiver only, not providing for fees, room and board, etc. There is also a residency requirement.

Tribal Colleges

Tribal college have grown over the past couple of decades. Typically they are two-year schools and are focused on the communities they reside in. The upside is that they will have a lot of resources for the student body like financial aid, child care, and transportation. The downside is that they are rarely free as they are funded by the tuition (financial aid) of students. Also, one is usually on their own for housing. So, even if one is a tribal member but not a resident of the area, housing could be an issue.

Tribal Scholarships

All tribes will have a tribal scholarship program or will have the BIA area office administer the program for them. The amount of assistance tribal Native American scholarships will provide depends on the size of the tribe. The larger the tribe, the less a tribe will be able to assist a Native American student. The smaller the tribe the more a tribe will be able to assist a Native American student. The upside to such tribal American Indian scholarships is that they can be applied to any (usually) accredited school the student chooses to attend.

There is criteria for tribal scholarships but it is usually straightforward. Tribal member, 2.0 GPA, financial need, and full-time student are typical requirements. Though certain tribes may have differing requirements, best to check with one's own tribe.

There are a number of Native American scholarships but not as many as one may think. This is probably due to the tribal scholarship and other scholarships which may be school specific. Here a few general Native Scholarships:

Daughters of the American Revolution

The Daughters of the American Revolution have the American Indian Scholarship Fund and award smaller scholarships to Native American students countrywide. It is a great scholarship to round out a financial package.

American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund has a number of scholarships available. Most are tribal college based, but as tribal colleges are not free a good niche specific opportunity.

Association on American Indian Affairs

The Association on American Indian Affairs has regular and small emergency scholarships available. The regular scholarships are competitive but open to which school it applies. The emergency funds are limited to money available.

Catching the Dream

Catching the Dream has Native American scholarships in different categories. The scholarships are competitive but they strive to serve as many Indian students as they can.

There are Native American resources for school that are industry specific.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) has scholarships available for applicable programs- math, science, and engineering. These scholarships are competitive.

Indian Health Service

The Indian Health Service has significant scholarships for those in health care fields. It also has a loan repayment program. However, their programs stipulate that recipients serve in the employ of HIS after graduation. Not so bad as this assures employment after school.

In addition to Native American scholarships, Native students can seek and apply for minority financial aid. This would enhance the financial aid package considerably when coupled with need based financial aid and Native American specified scholarships. Most minority scholarship are college/university based or industry based. Industry based meaning scholarships for those intending (majoring) to develop a career in certain fields. There are many minority financial aid opportunities but the most significant is:

Gates Millennium Scholars

Bill Gates started this program with a billion dollar endowment. Competition is stiff but the awards are significant and extend beyond the financial.