Scholarships for Native American Students
Search criteria
Showing 1–25 of 56 results
Foundation Education Award Scholarship
The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society offers the $5,500 Foundation Education Award Scholarship to underrepresented minority medical students who are Pennsylvania residents and enrolled at a Pennsylvania medical school.
Law School Diversity Scholarship Program
Buckfire Law firm annually offers the Law School Diversity Scholarship Program to support law school students belonging to minority groups or demonstrating a defined commitment to issues of diversity.
Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program of $2,800 is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students interested in advancing toward doctoral study upon completing their bachelor's degree.
Alma Exley Scholarship
The Scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in a teacher training program at a Connecticut college or university. Students in their junior or senior year and master’s students are eligible to apply.
American Indian Services Scholarship
The AIS Scholarship Program offers $500-$2000 in scholarships to 1,000 students.
CAA’s Professional Development Fellowship in Visual Arts
CAA's Professional Development Fellowship in Visual Arts was created to help multicultural artists and artists from underrepresented minority groups and culturally diverse communities in the various aspects of their work.
American Indian Medical Scholarship Program
The NSDA offers the American Indian Medical Scholarship of up to $6,000 to an eligible student studying a healthcare-related field.
Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors Doctorate
The NBCC Minority Fellowship Program is a $20,000- scholarship and fellowship program that supports mental-health counselors pursuing doctoral studies in the United States.
Oracle Developer Scholars Program
The Oracle Corporation, with the UNCF, offers 25 scholarships valued at $10,000 for undergraduate studies across the United States. Only African American, Hispanic, and Native American students are eligible.
Chairish Design Your Future Scholarship
The Chairish Design Your Future Scholarship is awarded to students from underrepresented minority groups and of all educational levels enrolled in accredited post-secondary institutions to further their education.
Minority Advertising Scholarships
Minority Advertising Scholarships program of up to $200,000 a year supports graduate students of minorities to complete their graduate and postgraduate studies in advertising, PR, design, and photography.
Minority Teacher Education Scholarship
The Minority Teacher Education Scholarship (MTES) is a renewable award of up to $4,000 a year to minority students in Florida pursuing education-related bachelor's undergraduate or graduate programs.
National Science Foundation Scholarship for Archaeological Training
The National Science Foundation Scholarship for Archaeological Training will fund up to four Native American students or tribal employees with up to $6,000 for archaeological training or archeological research programs.
SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training for Native Americans
SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training awards one Native North American, Alaska Tribe, or Native Hawaiian student or employee for an archaeological training program of their choice.
SAA Native American Undergraduate Archaeology Scholarship
The SAA Native American Archaeology Scholarship provides one Native American undergraduate student a $6,000- scholarship to obtain a degree in archeology or museum studies without the burden of education loans.
LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships
The $3,750- scholarship is awarded to 40 graduate students who identify as minorities to pursue their studies in PR, marketing, and advertising. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.20.
CIEF Bachelor & Masters Scholarships in Architecture
The Construction Industry Education Foundation offers the CIEF Scholarship in Architecture of $4,000 to five Californian students of minority enrolled in architecture undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs.
Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship
The MTI Scholarship offers up to $5,000 to minority students in higher education institutions in Illinois who are studying to become teachers. Eligible students must have a 2.50 GPA.
Advocates for African Americans Carolinas Scholarship
The scholarship awards $2,000 to a graduating high school student to pursue undergraduate study in engineering, computer science, accounting, finance, or business administration at universities in North or South Carolina.
Truman D. Picard Scholarship
The Intertribal Timber Council offers the Truman D. Picard Scholarship Program of $2,500 to 12 high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students pursuing a degree in natural resources-related fields.
Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program offers $5,000 to high school graduates and undergraduate students pursuing higher education in transportation, Spanish language or literature, engineering, mathematics, and science.
Richard W. Collins III Leadership with Honor Scholarship
Maryland Higher Education Commission annually awards the Richard W. Collins Leadership with Honor Scholarship to minority students who are part of ROTC programs at Maryland’s four HBCUs.
V&E Diversity Scholarship
Vinson & Elkins offers $10,000 to seven high school senior students of a minority in Houston, Dallas, and Austin to enroll in law undergraduate degree programs at accredited universities or colleges.
Edna Yelland Minority Scholarship
The California Library Association offers $2,500 to three California minority graduate students pursuing a graduate degree program in library and information science at one of the ALA-accredited universities.
Brown and Caldwell Minority Scholarship
Brown and Caldwell offer the Minority Scholarship to undergraduate students from minorities enrolled in engineering or environmental sciences-related programs at accredited colleges or universities in the U.S.
About Native American scholarships
Native American students have several scholarships available to them. Some of these scholarships are offered by the federal government, while others are offered by individual tribes or organizations. The amount and type of scholarship vary, but all aim to help Native American students achieve their education goals.
Native Americans are the indigenous peoples of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They are often divided into two groups: those who live on reservations (indigenous people) and those who do not (urban Indians). There are about 5 million Native Americans in the United States, making up about 2% of the population. Native American tribes include the Apache, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chippewa, Choctaw, Comanche, Iroquois, Lakota Sioux, and Navajo Nation.
Native Americans are the indigenous peoples of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They are often divided into two groups: those who live on reservations (indigenous people) and those who do not (urban Indians). There are about 5 million Native Americans in the United States, making up about 2% of the population. Native American tribes include the Apache, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Chippewa, Choctaw, Comanche, Iroquois, Lakota Sioux, and Navajo Nation.
Top 10 Scholarships for Native American Students
These are the top 10 scholarships for Native American students based on the possible award amount you could receive.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| The Gates Scholarship | $20,000–$60,000 | |
| Associaton on American Indian Affairs Scholarship | $20,000-$60,000 | |
| Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship | $30,000 | |
| Science Post Graduate Scholarship Fund (BIE-SPGSF) | $20,000-$30,000 | |
| Special Higher Education Program | $20,000-$30,000 | |
| Accenture Native American Scholarship Fund | $1,000-$30,000 | |
| Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors Doctorate | $20,000 | |
| API-JCU Diversity Scholarship | $6,850-$19,650 | |
| Mission North The Future Is... Fellowship | $15,000t | |
| Full Circle & Tribal College Scholarship | $15,000 |
Cost of college for Native Americans
When it comes to the cost of college for Native American students in the United States, several factors come into play. Native Americans have long been underrepresented in higher education, and this is reflected in the high costs of tuition and other fees. The cost of college for Native Americans is typically higher than that for other students due to a variety of factors, including limited access to scholarships, financial aid, and grants. Additionally, many Native American students have difficulty meeting the requirements for traditional college entrance exams or may not have access to the resources necessary to apply for and receive admission into a four-year university.
To address these issues and provide better access to higher education opportunities for Native Americans, several organizations have developed initiatives and programs to help reduce the cost of college for Native American students. For example, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are supported by the federal government in order to provide access to higher education opportunities for Native Americans. Many tribal communities have established scholarships specifically designed for Native American students to assist with college expenses.
There are a number of schools that offer excellent opportunities for Native American students. The three schools with the lowest tuition rates are Haskell Indian Nations University, Sinte Gleska University, and United Tribes Technical College. All three universities offer degrees in a variety of fields and have programs specifically designed to help Native American students succeed.
Scholarships for Native American Women
According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI), Native Americans only make up 1% of the U.S. undergraduate and graduate student population. There are a number of factors that contribute to Native American students being left out of postsecondary education and one of these factors is the lack of available funding. The number of Native American women who are going to college, and getting higher-paying jobs or owning businesses is increasing more than ever before. Their success is helping to improve the lives of their communities and tribes.
Our database gives over 10 different scholarships that are available for Native American Women who wish to pursue a qualification in various fields. One of the best scholarships for Native American women is the Mission North The Future Is... Fellowship which offers $15,000 to a female college junior, sophomore, or senior who is studying for a degree toward a career in communications.
Scholarships for Native American High School Seniors
Many scholarship providers want applications from high school seniors who are taking their next steps and preparing for college. Our database gives over 27 different scholarships with a high school senior grade eligibility minimum for Native Americans. We advise you to begin by applying for scholarships that are specifically for Native American high school seniors and not just minority high school seniors.
Check out the NAYA-PSU Scholarship of $10,000, which calls for applications from Native American high school seniors who are residents in Oregon. You can also check out the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana Scholarships of $2,500, where Louisiana residents are eligible to apply.
Tips for winning Native American scholarships
1. Research thoroughly to identify the available scholarships targeted at Native American students: There are numerous organizations and foundations that provide educational assistance to Indigenous Americans and other minority communities, so it is important to explore all options and opportunities that may be available. Additionally, many colleges, universities, and government agencies have dedicated resources for Native American students who are looking for financial support.
2. Submit your application as early as possible: Make sure that all the required documents are included in the submission package. Native American scholarships tend to be highly competitive, so it is important to get your application in quickly and double-check for any errors or omissions before submitting.
3. Provide a well-written and compelling essay: Ensure that it explains why you are a worthy candidate for the scholarship. Showcase your leadership skills, academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and community involvement in order to make yourself stand out from other applicants.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I'm eligible for Native American scholarships?
Native American is a very broad term and covers a lot of different identities, tribes, and people. Broadly speaking, Native American refers to any indigenous person from South-, Central- and North America. Most of the scholarships featured here refer to the indigenous people from the U.S. This includes independent nations or tribes such as the Navajo, Gabrielino/Tongva, Cherokee, Chippewa, and Sioux, to name a few. Native Americans from the U.S. are often referred to as American Indians and you will notice that some scholarships use this terminology while others use Native American or Native North American. It’s best to confirm your eligibility with the organizers before applying.
Where to find scholarships for Native American high school seniors?
Several private scholarship programs are available through various organizations that aim to preserve the history, culture, and community of Native Americans in the U.S. One of the best ways to find these scholarships is to join these organizations and become an active member. Not only will you have access to the scholarship, but you also will get to participate in preserving your heritage. With a wide array of scholarships available, different organizations, businesses and even the government provide plenty of resources for aspiring Native American students to realize their dreams and pursue higher education.
Are there STEM Scholarships for Native American students?
Unfortunately, our database does not give any STEM scholarships for Native American students specifically. But there are a number of STEM scholarships that you can apply to where you are still eligible.
Which scholarships should Native American students apply for in 2023?
Native American students should apply for all scholarships where they meet the requirements and not only for scholarships based on race or demographic eligibility.