Tribal Scholarship & Funding
What are the steps for a tribal scholarship as a student?
1.Complete the FAFSA
2.Connect with your tribe to get their financial needs analysis form
3.Complete the Needs Analysis Submission Form and upload the document to Student Financial Services at WSU
4.Student financial services will complete the needs analysis form and return it to your tribe with the contact information you have provided
*Student Financial Services will not know your financial need until a FAFSA is complete; you may need to supply documentation if selected for verification to receive your financial aid package (check your task tile/email)
Information for Tribes awarding scholarships
1.The Tribe will decide on whether a student is awarded a scholarship and the amount
2. We recommend your the Tribe complete a Scholarship Designation Form so WSU knows how to apply the scholarship
*scholarships over $1000 will automatically be split between Fall term and Spring term unless directed by the donor through the scholarship designation form
3. The Tribe will mail a check to the WSU Bursar’s office
WSU Bursar Office
Attn: Scholarship Desk
PO Box 641039
Pullman, WA 99164-1039
4.Once the Bursar’s office has received the check, Student Financial Services will be notified and will place a scholarship on your account
State, Regional, and National Scholarships for Native American Students
Look, we’ve done half the work for you! We searched and found a number of organizations and foundations offering scholarships to Native American students. Now you just need to fill out the applications, write the essays, send in your transcripts…and wait for your hard work to pay off!
American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund provides about 6,000 scholarships for American Indian (or descendant) graduate and undergraduate students each year.
DEADLINE: May 31
American Indian Education Foundation
The AIEF program is one of the United States’ largest grantors of scholarships to Native Americans, providing nearly $450,000 to about 225 graduate and undergraduate students each year.
DEADLINE: April 4
American Indian Endowed Scholarship
Washington Student Achievement Council scholarship for Washington residents with financial need and ties to an American Indian community.
DEADLINE: March 1
American Indian Graduate Center Scholarships
AIGC provides financial support for American Indians and Alaska Natives seeking higher education in a variety of fields, and supports them in attaining undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
DEADLINE: varies – many May 1
American Chemistry Society Scholars Program
ACS awards renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who wish to pursue a career in chemistry or related fields. Awards of up to $5,000 are given to qualified African American, Native American and Hispanic students.
DEADLINE: March 1
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
National scholarships awarded to members of AISES who are American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) college students pursuing academic degrees in the sciences, engineering, medicine, natural resources, and math.
DEADLINE: March 31
AISES – Columbia River Professional Chapter
Scholarships for Native American undergrads or grad students who are pursuing science degrees at universities in the Pacific Northwest (ID, OR, WA)
DEADLINE: June 1
American Indian Services Scholarships
Requirements: Undergraduate student enrolled in a university, college, junior college or technical school, 1/4 Native American blood. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25.
DEADLINE: see website for complete list of deadlines
Association on American Indian Affairs
AAIA has eight scholarship programs for graduate and undergraduate students. All scholarships are for students who are from federally recognized tribes and who are at least 1/4 Indian blood, except one scholarship that is specifically for members of tribes that are not federally recognized.
DEADLINE: May 31
Catching the Dream Scholarships
Recipients must be 1/4 or more American Indian and enrolled member of a tribe. Scholarships range from $500-$5000.
DEADLINE: April 30 for Fall, Sept 15 for Spring, March 15 for Summer
Cobell Scholarship
The Cobell Scholarship is a non-renewable competitive scholarship that provides one-year of scholarship support to enrolled members (or verified descendents) of US Federally-recognized tribes with strong academic records who can demonstrate financial need.
DEADLINE: March 31
DAR American Indian Scholarships
All awards are judged based on financial need and academic achievement. This scholarship is intended to help Native American college/university and technical school students of any age, any tribe, in any state at the undergraduate or graduate level.
DEADLINE: Jan 31
Indian Health Service (IHS)
The Indian Health Service Scholarship provides full tuition and fees, books, uniforms, equipment, travel, insurance, national board exams, travel for clinical training, and a stipend for students majoring in health professions, engineering, and accounting.
DEADLINE: Feb 28
Intertribal Timber Council – Truman D. Picard Scholarship
Scholarships for Native American students pursuing higher education in Natural Resources. $2500
DEADLINE: Jan. 26th 2024
Native American Journalists Association
To be eligible to receive the scholarship, applicants must be enrolled juniors, seniors, or graduate students at an accredited university in the United States pursuing a degree in digital media/journalism/communications with a commitment to storytelling.
DEADLINE: see website for details
Nez Perce Trail Foundation Scholarship
Three scholarships awarded to Native Americans students. $500
DEADLINE: July 15
Northwest Indian Housing Association Educational Scholarship
Must be an enrolled member of a tribe that participates in Northwest Indian Housing Association (see list of voting members). Must be less than 24 years old, and have been accepted to a 2 or 4 year higher education institution.
Postmark DEADLINE: March 25
Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation
All Native American undergraduate and graduate students, studying any aspect of renewable energy, including social sciences and humanities as well as sustainability and grid issues may apply. DEADLINE: February 15, 2022
Society for American Archaeology Native American Scholarships
Open to all Native peoples from anywhere in the Americas, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Islanders. To support Native American students studying archaeology, including but not limited to tuition, travel, food, housing, books, supplies, equipment, and child care (up to $5,000 UG/$10,000 Graduate Students).
DEADLINE: Varies
Steven R. Nelson Native Educator Scholarship Program
This scholarship program strives to increase Native representation in the field of education by providing financial support, mentoring, and internships for Native students in the Northwest who are pursuing a master’s degree in education policy, leadership, technical assistance, research, or a closely related field.
DEADLINE: March 31
Udall Scholarship
Scholarships for sophomore and junior level Native American and Alaska Native college students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy, Native American education, justice, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, economic development, health care, social work, and other related fields. $7000
WSU DEADLINE: Jan 6
Washington Indian Gaming Association
Requirements: Students pursuing degrees at community and technical colleges, four-year colleges, and post-graduate and professional schools are eligible. Scholarship recipients are students who come from or attend school in Washington State.
DEADLINE: March 31
Washington State Indian Education Association
WSIEA offers a High School Merit Award Scholarship of $500 and a Higher Ed Merit Award of $1000. Tribally enrolled or descendant. Must be a Washington resident.
DEADLINE: TBD
Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
Supports low- and middle-income students pursuing eligible high-demand majors in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care and encourages recipients to work in Washington state once they complete their degrees.
DEADLINE: Feb. 28th
Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program
The Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program provides scholarships to students pursuing veterinary medicine and veterinary technician degrees. If you love animals and possess the desire to pursue a degree at an accredited college or university, you may be qualified for funding from the Wilson-Hooper Vet Med Assistance Program.
DEADLINE: see website