Finding and Applying For Native American Scholarships
There are many Native American scholarships out there for students of federally recognized tribes, but so many students fail to put in the work to find these scholarships.
However, if you are of Native American descent, you should actively pursue scholarships that celebrate your heritage and help finance your education.
Do I Qualify for a Native American Scholarship?
It is not enough to merely “know” you are a member of a particular tribe. Rather, you need to be an enrolled member of a tribe that is recognized by the U.S. government. It may seem a bit absurd to have to “prove” your ancestry, but it is really the only way to prevent people from taking advantage of these scholarships meant for students of underrepresented groups.
One means of proving this is a Certificate of Indian Blood or a CIB. This is a piece of paper that proves you are a member of a particular tribe that is recognized by the government. If you do not have this document, you will need to obtain one before applying for any Native American scholarships.
You will also need to read the requirements for each scholarship you wish to apply for. They all have different requirements, including those that pertain to how much “Indian blood” you have.
What Types of Native American Scholarships Are There?
There are many scholarships geared toward Native American students and it would seem they would be difficult to find, though that’s not really the case. One of the best ways to search for scholarships tailored directly to your ethnicity is the FastWeb scholarship search. You’ll no doubt find several scholarships for Native Americans at this resource.
Organizations also offer scholarships for Native Americans, such as the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service and the American Indian College Fund. You should also try searching for scholarships at your tribe’s main office, as they may offer funding to members wishing to go to college.
Some colleges offer free tuition to Native American students as well, though these are typically for students that are 100% Native American.
To find additional forms of aid for Native Americans, try searching online using keywords such as “Native American scholarships” or your tribe’s name + scholarships.
How Can I Apply for Native American Scholarships?
Applying for Native American scholarships is just like applying for any other scholarship. You will need to obtain the proper application forms and give yourself plenty of time to fill it out to the best of your ability. If an essay is required, give yourself enough time to take it through all of the stages of the writing process from pre-writing to outlining, to drafting to revising. Additionally, make sure that you have all appropriate documentation on hand to prove your status as a Native American tribe member. Without this information, you may very well kiss your chances at winning a Native American scholarship goodbye.
For the essay, also be sure to really think outside the box. If you are asked to write an essay on a topic that pertains to your tribe or ethnicity as a whole, make sure you think creatively. Remember: everyone that is applying to this scholarship is a minority as well.
If you need a letter of recommendation, make sure you allow yourself enough time to get that as well. It’s all about allotting enough time, have you noticed? There’s nothing worse than rushing through a scholarship application to get it submitted by deadline only to have turned in less than stellar material. If you’re going to apply for a scholarship, make sure you give it your all, otherwise what’s the point?