Scholarships for Native American Students

Search criteria

Clear filter

Showing 1–25 of 56 results

Closing in 9 Days
$5,500
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
July 1, 2023
Application Deadline
September 30, 2023
Closing in 9 Days
$5,500
1 Award Winner
Closing in 10 Days
$2,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
June 1, 2023
Application Deadline
October 1, 2023
Closing in 10 Days
$2,000
1 Award Winner
Closing in 10 Days
$2,800
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
August 22, 2023
Application Deadline
October 1, 2023
Closing in 10 Days
$2,800
1 Award Winner
Open
$5,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
College Junior – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
September 1, 2023
Application Deadline
October 31, 2023
Open
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Open
$500–$2,000
1,000 Award Winners

American Indian Services Scholarship

The AIS Scholarship Program offers $500-$2000 in scholarships to 1,000 students.

Eligible Grades
High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
November 1, 2023
Open
$500–$2,000
1,000 Award Winners
Open
$10,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
September 15, 2023
Application Deadline
November 15, 2023
Open
$10,000
1 Award Winner
Open
$1,500–$6,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Graduate
Application Open Date
September 1, 2023
Application Deadline
December 1, 2023
Open
$1,500–$6,000
1 Award Winner
Open
$20,000
20 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Doctorate
Application Open Date
September 22, 2023
Application Deadline
December 15, 2023
Open
$20,000
20 Award Winners
Open
$10,000
25 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
College Sophomore – Graduate
Application Open Date
September 22, 2023
Application Deadline
December 15, 2023
Open
$10,000
25 Award Winners
Open
$2,500
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – Graduate
Application Open Date
July 1, 2023
Application Deadline
January 1, 2024
Open
$2,500
1 Award Winner
Open
$10,000
10 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
August 2, 2023
Application Deadline
February 1, 2024
Open
$10,000
10 Award Winners
Opening in 10 Days
$4,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Graduate
Application Open Date
October 1, 2023
Application Deadline
December 2, 2023
Opening in 10 Days
$4,000
1 Award Winner
Opening in 10 Days
$6,000
4 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
October 1, 2023
Application Deadline
January 31, 2024
Opening in 10 Days
$6,000
4 Award Winners
Opening in 10 Days
$6,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
October 1, 2023
Application Deadline
January 31, 2024
Opening in 10 Days
$6,000
1 Award Winner
Opening in 10 Days
$6,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
October 1, 2023
Application Deadline
January 31, 2024
Opening in 10 Days
$6,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$3,750
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Doctorate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
February 28, 2023
Closed
$3,750
1 Award Winner
Closed
$4,000–$20,000
5 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$4,000–$20,000
5 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
December 3, 2022
Application Deadline
March 4, 2023
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,500
12 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 11, 2023
Closed
$2,500
12 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – High School Graduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 14, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$500–$1,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
November 1, 2022
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$500–$1,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$10,000
7 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – High School Graduate
Application Open Date
December 1, 2022
Application Deadline
April 1, 2023
Closed
$10,000
7 Award Winners
Closed
$2,500
3 Award Winners

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.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 12, 2023
Closed
$2,500
3 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

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.

Eligible Grades
College Junior – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
April 15, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

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.

ScholarshipAward 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.