SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
Society for American Archaeology
The Society for American Archaeology Scholarship endowment fund was created in 1988 to create a sense of shared purpose between archaeology and Native Americans, while simultaneously encouraging positive interactions and relationships. The scholarships are funded through external grants, silent auctions, and individual donations. The SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship provides one award each year for $10,000.
This scholarship further encourages the relationship between postgraduate Native American students and archaeology. It allows graduate students to further their studies in archaeology or museum studies. Applicants need to provide documentation of their ancestry and/or identity in order to qualify for the award.
One student will receive a $10,000 award to help cover their course fees. The award will cover tuition fees, traveling, food, housing, books, and supplies. In addition, the award will also cover family and dependent care.
Scholarship Summary
The Society for American Archaeology Scholarship endowment fund was created in 1988 to create a sense of shared purpose between archaeology and Native Americans, while simultaneously encouraging positive interactions and relationships. The scholarships are funded through external grants, silent auctions, and individual donations. The SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship provides one award each year for $10,000.
This scholarship further encourages the relationship between postgraduate Native American students and archaeology. It allows graduate students to further their studies in archaeology or museum studies. Applicants need to provide documentation of their ancestry and/or identity in order to qualify for the award.
One student will receive a $10,000 award to help cover their course fees. The award will cover tuition fees, traveling, food, housing, books, and supplies. In addition, the award will also cover family and dependent care.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligible Grade: Graduate – Postgraduate
- Maximum Age: Any
- Required GPA: Any
- Geographic Eligibility: United States
- Gender: Any
- Race/Ethnicity: Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander
Key Information of SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
Study Details
Area of Study
Archaeology
Country of Study
United States
Specific Schools
Any
Application Requirements
Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.
- Grade transcript
- Essay
- Financial Information
- Recommendation letters
SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship Timeline
October
Application Opening Date
Applications are open as of October 1.
January
Submission Deadline
All applications are to be submitted on January 31.
May
Awards Announcement Date
The winner will be awarded in May.
How to ace the SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
Work on your personal statement
The application process for this scholarship requires a good amount of written pieces, one of them being your personal statement. Make sure that your personal statement is in peak condition, as it will be one of the deciding factors in whether you will receive the award. Revise your personal statement until you are satisfied with the outcome. It is advisable to have a second eye review from your mentor or professor.
Provide a reasonable budget breakdown
Do not lie about your budget breakdown or provide incorrect amounts. Make sure that you have calculated the amounts properly and that you only add the amounts you absolutely require financial assistance for. Your application might be discarded if your budget seems unreasonable.
Double-check your application details
The application form for the scholarship is quite lengthy and this can be quite intimidating. This means that it is very possible to make silly mistakes or miss some important information. Be sure to double-check your application and have a friend go through it as well to make sure you did not miss anything. Missing a finer detail can cost you the award.
Revise your letters of recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required to apply for the scholarship. One has to be from an SAA member and another from a lecturer, teacher, or community leader. Read through your letters of recommendation and ensure that all of your positive qualities are outlined in them both. Furthermore, try to ensure that the letters do not sound generic, but instead, help you stand out.
How the SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship is Judged
The SAA will critically evaluate students' eligibility for the scholarship through their submitted applications to gauge how fit you would be for the program. The scholarship will look at the student's personal statement and how clear, coherent, and convincing it is. Furthermore, compelling letters of recommendation will work in favor of the applicant along with a reasonable budget breakdown.
Why We Love the SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
There is a second chance
If you are not successful in receiving the graduate scholarship, you will be considered for possible funding from the SAA Arthur C. Parker Scholarship for Archaeological Training for Native Americans or the National Science Foundation Scholarship for Archaeological Training.
The scholarship covers medical costs
For students, medical care can be quite expensive and stressful. However, the SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship opts to cover any medical fees the student might need.
No state residency is required
This program is open to all eligible students in or outside of the U.S. upon application and not specified to residents of certain states.
5 Facts about SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship
This scholarship was introduced in 2009
The SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship was one of two new awards added to the programs offered by the SAA in 2009.
One scholarship a year
Scholars are only allowed to receive one scholarship per year from the SAA, yet they still can apply for a new one the following year.
The scholarship covers research costs
The SAA Native American Graduate Archaeology Scholarship will cover any online archival research. They will also cover any other archaeology-related analysis costs.
There is also an undergraduate scholarship
As a counterpart to this scholarship, the SAA offers a version for undergraduate students, which can also be found on their website.
Awardees are required to report their experiences
Successful recipients of the award will be required to report on their experiences for the duration of their archaeological course, and this can be done in the form of photographs or DVDs detailing their progress.