9 Best Scholarships for Native Americans

Thanks to these Native American scholarships, there have been more opportunities for American Indians or Native Americans to fund their college expenses.

In fact, American Indians/Native Americans face a unique set of challenges in gaining access to a college education. Furthermore, they are one of the most underrepresented groups both in college and in the degree-holding population.

Besides, 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.

Yet, despite a strong desire to earn a degree, many American Indian students find themselves in a position where they cannot easily pay for school. Moreover, it is even unachievable with the help of federal student financial aid.

Fortunately, there are plenty of Native American scholarships for students who are dedicated to beating the odds and earning a degree. Moreover, a variety of these scholarships exist to help students attain a college education that will benefit them, their families, and their communities.

1. $2,000 CollegeXpress Community Service Scholarship for Multicultural Students

Award amount: $2,000

Deadline: April 1^st

Multicultural Colleges & Universities magazine is proud to administer its Community Service Scholarship for Multicultural Students. In fact, it was first established to help multicultural students finance their colleges 25 years ago.

Particularly, the award is for one year only and is non-renewable. This scholarship is for students who will be college freshmen beginning in the fall of the current year. Also, it is available for any student from a multicultural background who:

• Is currently a resident of the United States or its territories; and
• Plans to enroll as a freshman in a baccalaureate degree program in the fall of the current year at one of the participating colleges and universities.

All in all, click here to apply.

2. AIEF Native American Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Award amount: $2,000

Deadline: April 4^th

Since 1997, the American Indian Education Foundation (AIEF) has given hope to Native American students by providing the tools they need to succeed. Furthermore, it enables Native Americans to attend colleges or technical schools nationwide by offering several scholarship services.

Generally, the scholarship supports educational opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native students by awarding more than 200 scholarships annually. In short, applicants must follow the following application process to be eligible for the scholarship:

1. Submit a completed Undergraduate Scholarship Application.
2. Provide documentation of tribal enrollment for themselves or a parent.
3. Provide transcripts with ACT and GPA scores.
4. Enroll in an accredited technical school, college, or university as a full-time undergraduate.

Click here to apply.

3. AIEF Native American Scholarships for Graduate Students

Award amount: $1,000-$2,000

Deadline: April 4^th

Moreover, AIEF also offers graduate scholarships for Native American students. However, it is eligible for American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian students pursuing a Masters’s or Doctoral degree.

To apply for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be enrolled between 6-18 credit hours so that the scholarship is accessible to both part-time and full-time graduate students (the level of scholarship funding is dependent on the number of hours enrolled in graduate studies);
• Have a GPA of 2.5 or above.

Also, all American Indian/Alaska Native students who are enrolled in their tribe, or have a parent who is an enrolled member are eligible.

In short, click here to apply.

4. Catching the Dream Scholarship

Award amount: $500-$5,000

Deadlines: March 15^th, April 30^th, September 15^th

Founded in 1986, Catching the Dream strives to help improve the quality of life in Indian communities through higher education. Generally, it provides scholarship funds for students who demonstrate academic achievement, clearly defined goals, leadership, and determination to succeed.

In particular, this award is available for American Indian students of any age, from any U.S. tribe, within any state, striving to get an education. Also, applicants must plan to major in one of the following fields:

• Banking
• Business
• Computers
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Finance
• Hotel management
• Management
• Math
• Science (includes all medical fields)

Click here to apply.

5. Cherokee Nation Scholarship Program

Award amount: Varies

Deadline: June 15^th

Citizens of the Cherokee Nation actively pursuing a higher education degree may apply to receive educational scholarships payable directly to an accredited college or university. However, some scholarships may have restrictions.

For instance, students with multiple tribal lineages may only receive assistance from one tribe. Thus, to apply for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be an undergraduate student or a graduate student,
• Have U.S. citizenship,
• Attend a university or a four-year college,
• Be American Indian/Alaska Native, and
• Study full-time in Oklahoma.

In sum, click here to apply.

6. General Mills Foundation Post High School Scholarship

Award amount: $500-$2,500

Deadline: December 31^st

The General Mills Foundation Post-High School Scholarship Program supports any form of accredited postsecondary education.

Under this program, students may pursue trade or professional programs (such as those offered by qualified vocational-technical schools). Besides, it is also available for students pursuing traditional curricula offered by colleges and universities.

Applicants to the General Mills Foundation Post High School Scholarship Program must be:

• Children (including adopted and stepchildren), age 25 or under, of Regular Full-Time and Regular Part-Time active employees of General Mills, or one of its wholly-owned domestic or Canadian subsidiary companies or children of employees who are U.S. citizens located in a foreign country (except for Foundation officers and trustees) and who have not already been awarded and received a General Mills Foundation Post High School scholarship, or
• High school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or students who are already enrolled in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.

Click here to apply.

7. Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

Award amount: $35,000

Deadline: March 28^th

Established in 1997, the Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship is awarded to recognize outstanding students and their achievements. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

• Be first-year MBA students,
• Pursue a 2021 Summer Associate position at Goldman Sachs, and
• Be Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or women.

All in all, click here to apply.

8. Make Your Mark BIPOC Arts Scholarship

Award amount: $2,500

Deadline: May 5^th

The Grind Arts Company is introducing its Make Your Mark BIPOC Arts Scholarship. Particularly, up-and-coming artists of color or BIPOC artists are eligible to enjoy the benefits of this scholarship.

In fact, the program aims to bring the best in black artists who are passionate about art and are willing to level up their careers. Also, the successful candidate will get a chance to work directly with the artistic director and creative team of Grind arts company.

Click here to apply.

9. Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Grants

Award amount: $250 to $1,100

Deadline: –

Lastly, this is a need-based grant available to Wisconsin residents who are attending a Wisconsin school of higher education. In particular, you must have a one-quarter degree of Native American blood or be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe. The grant has a maximum of 10-semester awards.

In short, click here for further information.