The Best Native American Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines in 2024

Best Scholarships for Native Americans

American Indian College Fund Scholarships

The American Indian College Fund offers over 6,000 scholarships annually to Native American students pursuing vocational, undergraduate, and graduate degrees. Applicants must be a member or descendant of a federally recognized tribe.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Scholarships

AISES provides multiple scholarships for Native American students in STEM fields, including the AISES Chevron Corporation Scholarship and the Intel Growing the Legacy Scholarship Program. Applicants must be an AISES member and enrolled in a STEM degree program.

Native Forward Scholars Fund

The Native Forward Scholars Fund (formerly known as American Indian Graduate) offers various scholarship programs for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, including the All Native American High School Academic Team and the Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship.

Cobell Scholarship

Named after Elouise Cobell, this scholarship provides funding for undergraduate and graduate students through merit-based and need-based awards. The Cobell Scholarship is annual, non-renewable, and available to any post-secondary (after high school) student who is: an enrolled member of a US Federally-recognized Tribe, enrolled in or plans to enroll in full-time study and is degree-seeking while attending any nationally, regionally and industry accredited non-profit, public and private, institution.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) American Indian Scholarship

DAR awards scholarships to Native American students pursuing any field of study at any accredited university, college, or technical school. This scholarship is awarded once a year to a Native American college and technical student of any age, any tribe and in any state who has financial need and a minimum GPA of 3.25 based on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent GPA on the scaled used by the applicable educational institution.

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

Awards scholarships to sophomore and junior-level college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy, or Native healthcare. The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship pays tribute to Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, who left a lasting legacy in Native American self-governance, health care, and the conservation of public lands and natural resources.

These scholarships represent just a glimpse into the opportunities available for Native American students seeking higher education.

Related: Scholarships for Minority Students

Eligibility for Native American Scholarships

The first step in qualifying for Native American scholarships is to have Native American ancestry and to be a member of a federally recognized tribe.

Tribal affiliation is often determined by a student's documentation and proof of descent. Additionally, some scholarships may require students to demonstrate active involvement in tribal community activities and cultural preservation.

How to Apply for Native American Scholarships

It only takes a few easy steps in order to begin applying for scholarships on Bold.org. Start by creating your free Bold.org profile. By clicking on any of the listed scholarships, you are able to create an account. From there, you can begin browsing hundreds of exclusive scholarships offered by Bold.org and you can bookmark any scholarships of interest.

Once you've decided on the scholarships that are best for you, begin applying. The scholarship application processes are set up specifically to make applying as easy as possible. This way, you can apply for more scholarships and maximize your Bold.org winnings.

Tips for Winning Scholarships for Native American Students

There are many applicants for scholarships on Bold.org, but that shouldn't stop you from applying. Scholarship winners use certain strategies to increase their chances of winning scholarships. Following a few of the easy tips below can help set your application apart from others so you can win the financial aid necessary to attend college.

Apply for as many scholarships as you can

Since you are not likely to win every scholarship you apply to, it is important to apply to a lot of scholarships. The more scholarships you apply to, the higher the chance you will win. Applying extensively to scholarships on Bold.org can help you increase your odds of accumulating scholarship money.

Apply for scholarships as early as possible

New scholarships are being posted on Bold.org consistently, giving you numerous opportunities for scholarships that are introduced and awarded within just a few months. Because of this, applying sooner will make more scholarships available to you during your search. Keeping this in mind, you can apply for many different scholarships without stressing about applications deadlines all at one time of the year.

Put effort into your essay submissions

There are essay prompts for many of the listed scholarships for minorities, so make sure that you don't underestimate the power of a well-written essay. Take time to plan what you want to write, and proofread your essay after finishing it to eliminate spelling and grammar errors. Each scholarship for Native Americans is slightly different, but if you stick to fundamental writing skills, you can make your essays stand out.

Apply to scholarships with more specific eligibility requirements

Scholarships with more eligibility requirements have fewer applicable students. With a more specific set of criteria, fewer students will apply, giving you a better chance at being selected for that specific scholarship for Native American students. Keep an eye out for scholarships with several requirements that you meet in order to give yourself your best chance of earning a more specialized scholarship.

For example, finding scholarships exclusively open to your education level, such as scholarships for undergraduate students or for high school seniors, will limit the competition and boost your chances of winning.

Make a strong Bold.org profile

Take the time to fill out your Bold.org profile, putting in specifics that will help show donors who you are. For scholarships that don't require essays, this is especially useful, for students with completed profiles give information about themselves that would usually come up in an essay question. Additionally, filling out your profile completely will give you more Bold Points, opening up more exclusive scholarships that you can apply to.

Earn as many Bold Points as possible

Bold Points not only unlock special scholarships but are also a great way to make your application and profile stand out from the competition. You can earn more points by completing tasks, nominating students for scholarships, and even by asking questions to your colleges of interest. The more points you earn, the better!

Additional Resources for Native American Students

National Indian Education Association

Association on American Indian Affairs

American Indian Services

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Native American Students

Why should students apply for Native American scholarships?

By applying for scholarships with specific requirements like those for first-generation students, the chances of being chosen are higher. By applying for these scholarships, Native American students can meet their financial needs while minimizing their student loans, making it far easier for them to attend college.

Federal student aid often doesn't go far enough in meeting the financial need of students. To pick up the slack, Bold.org, a scholarship program committed to aiding first-generation scholars, is here to help.

What is a Native American scholarship?

A Native American scholarship is a source of financial aid for a student who is a part of a federally recognized tribe. If you are a Native Hawaiian, an Alaska Native, or Native American student living in the US, you are included in the definition of Native American, and you may apply for first-generation scholarships.

What is the best website to apply for Native American scholarships?

Bold.org is an easy and accessible way to find and apply for scholarships. To apply, just create a profile on Bold.org. Once you do, you can apply for hundreds of scholarships with a few clicks.

Are scholarships for Native American students taxable income?

Any scholarship money earned on Bold.org is sent directly to the college you are attending and therefore is not considered to be taxable income. If you are a high school student, Bold.org will hold your scholarship money in an account until enrollment.

Native college students are encouraged to apply for scholarship programs to help them pay for a college education. Apply today on Bold.org and take the next step toward reducing your college costs!