Native American Scholarships and
Grants
The Federal Government, together with private organizations, upholds the right of minorities to equitable
education through Native American scholarships and grants. Among all other minority groups recognized by the United
States federal government, Native American comprises only a small portion in terms of population. The United States
Census Bureau projected 3.08 million Native American and Alaskan Natives in 2008.
Native Americans and individuals with traces of these racial groups account for almost 4.86 million or 0.8 % of the
entire United States’ population. It is projected that the number of Native Americans will continue to grow every
year reaching the five million mark by 2065. As of date,
the federal government recognizes 564 tribes. Members of such minority groups are entitled to financial
assistance opportunities, especially in their education. The majority of individuals who benefit from this
scholarship program have interracial backgrounds.
For a long time, Native American students have had limited educational opportunities. With the increased
awareness of the government of this need, Native American scholarships and grants have been made available. All
across the country, tribal universities and colleges have been built to educate members of these minority groups.
Native Americans now have a chance to earn undergraduate or graduate degrees. Foundations and organizations such as
the All Indian Pueblo Council offer financial aid to students.
There are federally funded government loan programs offered to all members of federally recognized minority or
tribal groups. These scholarship funds are available exclusively to members of the 564 federally recognized Native
American tribes.
To qualify for the Native American scholarships and
grants program, a student must show proof of membership in one of the government recognized tribes. Don’t waste
your time applying for this scholarship if you do not have valid proof of ancestral status. Typically, financial
aid offices require applicants to present documents such as a DNA test and Tribal Membership Verification. In the
standard DNA test, you need to prove at least one quarter Native American heritage.
It would also help you to research your own genealogy. There are several useful sites that can assist you with
this. After finding your genealogical information, you can submit it to the respective tribal government for you to
be included in their records. Membership of a tribal community opens unlimited opportunities that include access to
such financial assistance programs. For students who belong to tribes not yet federally recognized, they can apply
for the Allogan Slagle Scholarship which is supported by the Association on American Indian Affairs. This is an
exclusive scholarship program offered to students who belong to tribes not recognized by the federal
government.
There are some professional organizations that offer Native American scholarships and grants. The American
Anthropological Society and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society provide scholarships to members of
these minorities. These professional organizations aim to open job opportunities for Native Americans through
education. The objective is to make minorities as equally competitive as their white counterparts. There are
different kinds of scholarship programs available for Native Americans. Here are the most common sources of
scholarship funds for minorities.
Tribal Colleges and Universities
There are several federally-funded colleges and universities in different parts of the country, the
majority being found in the western part of the country. The Department of Education ensures Native Americans an
equal opportunity for college education. These programs are particularly helpful in meeting students’ financial
need. To get comprehensive information about Tribal Colleges in your place, you can contact the Office of Indian
Education Programs.
Federally-Funded Programs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is considered to be the cornerstone of legislation for Native Americans.
It serves as a community resource that offers invaluable services, including Native American scholarships and
grants, to all its members. Members of federally recognized tribes can apply for the government-funded programs
available through the BIA.
Native American Community - Corporate Partnerships
There are several corporate donors who offer encouragement and support to minorities through
scholarship programs. Monetary support has become a potent motivator for many Native American students. For
example, huge corporations such as Accenture, Wells Fargo and the Gates Foundation forged partnerships with the
American Indian Graduate Center to promote college education for Native Americans. AIGC offers graduate fellowships
and undergraduate scholarships. There are several other not-for-profit organizations which work for such worthwhile
causes.
State-Based Aid for Native Americans
Since not all states have the same population of Native American students, some states enjoy a
significant amount of funding for the education of these minorities. Depending on the concentration of Native
Americans, the government provides extra funds for states with more Native American students. For example,
universities and colleges in North Dakota and Montana offer more scholarship programs as compared with other
states.
Specialty-Based Programs
Some scholarships are exclusively available to Native Americans studying STEM subjects (science,
technology, engineering and math). The American Indian Science and Engineering Society offers scholarship funds for
science and engineering students.
There are lots of available options for students looking for Native American scholarships and grants. You simply
have to do some research. Don’t ignore scholarships for minorities and tribes, as they can fund your college
education.
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