Scholarships for Native Students
This month, thousands of Native American students will return to high school as seniors. For those who are considering college as their next step, the school year will be packed with extra work — choosing potential universities, completing standardized tests, and getting through the admissions process. After all that, students still have to figure out how to finance their education once they’re accepted. For Native American students, many opportunities to earn funding exist, particularly in the form of scholarships.
Scholarships are different from grants because they’re not always based on financial need. And they’re different from student loans because they don’t have to be paid back.
There’s a lot of variety when it comes to the types of scholarships Native students can qualify for. They aren’t one-size-fits all.
It’s not just about academics - Not all scholarships are based on academic performance. Many scholarships for Native American students have no specific grade point average (GPA) or test score requirements (like this one from Catching the Dream). Others, including large national programs like the American Indian College Fund only require a 2.0 GPA.
It’s not just about need - While many scholarships are aimed at helping only the most economically disadvantaged students, that’s not always the case. Some “merit-based” scholarships (like the NativeVision program) make awards based on leadership, volunteerism, special abilities (like athletics or grades) or interests.
It’s not a big commitment - Contrary to popular belief, scholarships aren’t much more work than any other source of funding. Some may require an essay or letters of recommendation to win the award. Afterward, they may require you to provide an update on your progress or write a thank you letter to donors. But the tradeoff on a student’s time is usually well worth it.
There are several places you can look to find scholarships for Native American students. The best place to start is with your tribe’s education office. They will be able to tell you about any scholarships your tribe offers, and may also have helpful information about other opportunities.
In addition to your tribe, you can also find scholarships through your state, local civic organizations, businesses, churches and nonprofits, or clubs. To learn more about where to find scholarships and how to apply for them, download the Totem app today and read the full article in our Resources tab!
